(4ml) Empowering Sustainable Energy Applications through Gas-Solid Adsorption

• Porous materials for sustainable energy applications
• Thermochemical energy storage and conversion,
• CO₂ capture, storage and utlization
• H₂ storage and transportation
• Adsorption thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, gas dynamics, etc.
• Gas sensors and gas separation
• Thermal desalination, water purification, heavy metal removal

Teaching Interest:

With a diverse educational background, I am capable of teaching core chemical engineering courses such as separation processes, thermodynamics, transport phenomena, analytical chemistry, material characterization, nanotechnology, environmental chemistry, etc. Apart from that, I can conduct lectures on introductory courses related to other engineering fields such as renewable energy, heat and mass transfer, microscopy techniques, machine and measurements, etc.

Abstract:

With increasing concerns about energy scarcity and the imperative for eco-friendly energy systems, gas-solid adsorption has emerged as a promising avenue for sustainable energy solutions. Gas-solid adsorption involves the spontaneous adherence of gas molecules, known as adsorbates, onto the surfaces of porous solids called adsorbent materials. This phenomenon has been harnessed in various energy applications including adsorption chillers, heat pumps, gas storage, separations, transportation, purifications, catalytic conversion, and thermochemical energy storage. Despite the energy-friendly and environmentally benign nature of these systems, they have yet to be widely adopted due to inherent inefficiencies, large footprints, and high installation costs, largely attributed to suboptimal adsorbent materials. Efforts have been made to enhance conventional adsorbents such as silica gels, activated carbons, and zeolites, as well as to synthesize tailored porous materials like metal organic frameworks and aerogels. However, a gap persists between material science and applied chemical engineering, primarily due to the limitations of traditional characterization techniques that fail to address surface chemistry and molecular-level reaction mechanisms. My research discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with gas-solid adsorption for sustainable energy applications, emphasizing the need for advancements in material characterization techniques to bridge the gap between material science and applied chemical engineering.

The primary focus is on understanding the pivotal role of adsorption enthalpy or isosteric heat of adsorption in elucidating adsorption processes. This parameter sheds light on the interactions between adsorbate and adsorbent, providing crucial insights into the energetics of adsorption. The effects of adsorbate/adsorbate interactions along with adsorbate/adsorbent interactions influence adsorption thermodynamics and how this knowledge can drive the development of new adsorbent materials with heightened adsorbate uptake capabilities will be discussed in the presentation. Moreover, the presentation delves into the sources of adsorption enthalpy, including surface energies and their components, and their direct impact on adsorption uptakes. It showcases various applications of modified adsorbents in energy conversion systems such as adsorption chillers, atmospheric water harvesting, thermal desalination, and thermochemical storages. Additionally, it examines applications related to carbon capture and volatile organic compound (VOC) removal with advanced adsobents. Furthermore potential future research directions, including catalytic conversion of CO₂ into useful chemicals, hydrogen storage and transportation, and advancements in gas sensing technologies will be outlined. In short, light will be shed on the importance of bridging the gap between material science and applied chemical engineering through advancements in material characterization techniques which holds the key to unlocking the full potential of gas-solid adsorption for sustainable energy applications.