Overview

Welcome to the website of 'Catalysis for Energy Conversion (CatEC)'!
‘CatEC’ is a research group of heterogeneous (photo)catalysis at KAUST Catalysis Center (KCC).

Prof. Takanabe accepted an offer to be the Associate Editor of Journal of Catalysis, Elsevier (starting the role on Sep 2017).

Our research is highlighted in the websites below!
   1. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
       "Researchers Develop a New Catalyst for Water Splitting" (May 3, 2017)
   2. KAUST Discovery Website: 
      a. Getting more fuel from water (Mar 17, 2015)
      b. Fixing a green house gas for useful chemicals (May 17, 2015)
      c. An international language for solar energy fields (Nov. 13, 2016)
      d. Keeping the hydrogen coming (Jun. 6, 2017)
      e. Splitting water for the cost of a nickel (Jun. 25, 2017)
   3. Nature Middle East
      a. Better reduction of aqueous carbon dioxide (Feb. 11, 2015)

Our research focuses on development of efficient catalysts for new energy conversion system for sustainable development. We not only develop novel catalysts but also understand kinetics and reaction mechanisms by examining rates of the reactions experimentally. The materials of interest include various metal nanoparticles, metal oxides to metal nitrides/carbides/sulfides. We are challenging to find solutions to the problems of global warming and future energy supply.

Main research topics are as follows:
  • Photocatalysis and photoelectrochemistry for solar energy conversion
  • Electrocatalysis for fuel cell and CO2 reduction
  • Natural gas conversion and hydrocarbon reforming to syngas
  • Catalysis and system development for hydrogen energy carrier

Principal investigator of the group is Kazuhiro Takanabe, who is responsible for the following projects:

  • The PI of the KCC Photocatalytic Water Splitting Project
  • The PI of the KCC Oxidation / Reforming Project
  • The PI of the SABIC Collaborative Project (Hydrogen)
  • The PI of the TOTAL Collaborative Project (CO2)
  • The Co-I of the SABIC Collaborative Project (natural gas conversion)
Past projects
  • The PI of the KAUST/UC Berkeley Joint Collaborative AEA3 Project
  • The PI of the KAUST/Imperial College London Joint Collaborative AEA3 Project
  • The PI of the KAUST/U Kansas Joint Collaborative CRG3 Project
  • The PI of the ARAMCO Collaborative Project (new energy: hydrogen)
  • The PI of the ARAMCO Collaborative Project (Reforming)
  • The Co-I of the ARAMCO Collaborative Project (Bio-CCC)
Please visit and enjoy other pages in this website for further information.