In a new collaborative paper in Advanced Functional Materials, we report an exfoliation-induced electrochemical reconstruction strategy that transforms CuCoAl layered double hydroxides into an amorphous/crystalline heterostructure for efficient nitrate reduction to ammonia. The reconstructed catalyst combines metallic Cu, crystalline Co(OH)₂, and amorphous CoOOH, enabling high ammonia selectivity, excellent Faradaic efficiency, and strong cycling stability. Beyond catalyst design, the study also demonstrates a Zn-NO₂^– battery concept that links nitrate removal, ammonia production, and energy storage in one system.

New paper published on electrochemical Li-ion extraction in the context of lithium-ion battery recycling in ChemSusChem. In this collaborative work with Fachhochschule Münster, we demonstrate an electrochemical route to recover lithium ions directly from real battery recycling process water generated during the wet shredding of lithium iron phosphate batteries. Using an LFP-based selective desalination cell, the process produced a lithium-rich recovery solution with 96% purity, an average lithium uptake of 41 mg/g, and a low energy demand of only 1.10 kWh/kg. This study highlights electrochemical lithium recovery as a promising, lower-energy, and less chemically intensive pathway toward more circular battery recycling.

New collaborative paper published in Battery Energy on “Intraparticular inhomogeneity limits capacity in lithium sulfur batteries with carbonate electrolyte”. This work shows that the performance of lithium-sulfur batteries with carbonate electrolytes is strongly governed by how the cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI) forms inside nanoporous carbon host particles during the first discharge. Using cryogenic electron microscopy together with electrochemical analysis, we found that the CEI is not a uniform surface film but develops heterogeneously into the particle, leaving larger particles with inactive interior regions and therefore lower sulfur utilization. The results show that reducing carbon particle size improves capacity and rate performance, while also providing clear design guidelines for more efficient solid-state Li-S cathodes. Collaborative work with the groups of Christian Prehal and Alen Vizintin.

New paper published in Polymer Chemistry on cellulose-based membranes. The collaborative work demonstrates how tailored linear and star-shaped block copolymers can be assembled around cellulose fibers to create hierarchical porous structures, which can then be chemically modified to adjust surface polarity, wettability, and water permeance. This approach opens a versatile route toward functional, cellulose-based porous materials for future membrane, filtration, and separation applications.

New collaborative paper spearheaded by Gündog Yücesan published in Advanced Functional Materials (and featured on the back cover). In this work, we introduce flexible bimetallic phosphonate crystals as a new class of energy-storage materials that combine mechanical flexibility with remarkable chemical stability and electrochemical activity. The material remains structurally stable across a broad pH range and delivers specific capacitances of around 140 F/g under mildly acidic and alkaline conditions, making it an attractive and more sustainable alternative to conventional supercapacitor electrodes.