Graduate Student So Young Kim Publishes in Materials Horizons
2026-08-24
An international collaborative research project by graduate student So Young Kim has been published in Materials Horizons (IF=11.4), a prestigious international journal in the fields of energy and materials. Titled “Laser-engineered electrocatalysts for CO₂ and CO reduction: From surface modification to non-equilibrium catalyst design (https://doi.org/10.1039/D6MH01317A), this study was conducted with support from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and the Brain Korea 21 Plus (BK21+) program.
This paper comprehensively reviews the latest technologies and principles for designing electrocatalysts with non-equilibrium phases, abundant defect structures, and unique interfaces—features that are difficult to achieve via conventional thermochemical synthesis—by utilizing ultrafast, high-precision laser processing. It proposes mechanisms for precisely controlling catalyst morphology, oxidation states, and electronic structures through laser-based engineering. For carbon-neutral applications, the review presents case studies of catalysts that demonstrate drastically improved activity and selectivity in the electrochemical reduction reactions converting CO₂ and CO into value-added chemicals. Regarding the outlook for next-generation platforms, the paper discusses process standardization, operando analysis, and large-area mass production strategies, highlighting the scalability of this approach for future eco-friendly energy conversion technologies. Ultimately, it suggests that laser processing technology can evolve beyond simple surface treatments to become a core platform for sustainable carbon utilization and high-performance catalyst design.