Research

Research in the Corson Lab is united by the theme of converting putative wastes into valuable products through (photo)electrochemical conversion, using renewable electricity and light as driving forces. Unlike the traditional thermochemical processes to create fuels and chemicals, electrochemical conversion can occur in a wide range of temperatures and pressures (including ambient), can use solely renewable electricity, and can be performed in modular reactors that permit small- through large-scale operation. The potential impact is great: we can address climate change by treating carbon dioxide as a feedstock rather than a waste; improve our energy independence by offsetting the use of fossil fuels for thermochemical processes and creating renewable fuels; and implement sustainable agricultural practices by recovering resources from wastewater. 

The key challenges of electrochemical conversion are low selectivity, which requires costly separation; and low efficiency, which increases the operating costs from electricity.  The Corson Lab addresses these challenges by using nanostructured plasmonic electrodes. Nanofeatures can influence the catalytic properties of electrodes for both electrochemical and photoelectrochemical systems. 

The Corson Lab conducts interdisciplinary research in electrochemistry, photonics, materials science, and chemical engineering, and applies (photo)electrochemical conversion to three separate thrusts: 

• Waste to Fuels: Carbon Dioxide Reduction
• Resources from Wastewater: Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia
• Sustainable Chemicals: C–N Coupling 

Our approach to research incorporates (photo)electrochemical cell design, nanomaterial fabrication, in situ techniques, and ex situ product analysis.