Our research focuses on the molecular design, precise synthesis, and industrial application of high-performance anion exchange membranes (AEMs) towards alkaline water electrolysis on the basis of bio-inspired principles. The AEMs can be integrated with transition metal-based catalysts and coupled with renewable energy sources, providing a new pathway to explore the economic efficiency and stability of hydrogen production. In addition, the developed AEMs can be also extended to carbon-neutral fields such as fuel cells and carbon dioxide resource utilization, which have been regarded as key factors for energy conversion and storage.

Publications：

1. L. Sun*, Towards rational design of high-performance anion exchange membranes, Science Bulletin 2025, 70, 1361–1363. (IF=21.1)

2. L. Yin†, R. Ren†, L. He, H. Lee, Q. Zhang, G. Ding, L. Wang, L. Sun*, Polyarylmethylpiperidinium (PAMP) for Next Generation Anion Exchange Membranes, Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2025, 64, e202503715. (IF=17)

3. T. Tang†, H. Lee†, Z. Wang†, Z. Li, L. Wang, D. Chen, W. Zheng, Q. Liu, L. He, G. Ding, Z. Tian, L. Sun*, Bioinspired anion exchange membranes with dual steric cross-linking centers for industrial-scale water electrolysis, Energy & Environmental Science 2024, 17, 7816–7828. (IF=31)

4. L. Ma, T. Wang*, Rational Understanding Hydroxide Diffusion Mechanism in Anion Exchange Membranes during Electrochemical Processes with RDAnalyzer, Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2024, 63, e202403614. (IF=17)

5. L. Yin, R. Ren, L. He, W. Zheng, Y. Guo, L. Wang, H. Lee, J. Du, Z. Li, T. Tang, G. Ding, L. Sun*, Stable Anion Exchange Membrane Bearing Quinuclidinium for High‐performance Water Electrolysis, Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2024, 63, e202400764. (IF=17)

6. Q. Liu†, T. Tang†, Z. Tian, S. Ding, L. Wang, D. Chen, Z. Wang, W. Zheng, H. Lee, X. Lu, X. Miao, L. Liu, L. Sun*, A high-performance watermelon skin ion-solvating membrane for electrochemical CO2 reduction, Nature Communications 2024, 15, 6722. (IF=15.7)

Our research focuses on the redesign and scalable preparation of low-cost and high-performance transition metal-based HER catalysts in the AEM-WE for the purpose of overcoming the resource and cost limitations of traditional precious metal materials. The efficient and stable conversion of green electricity to green hydrogen can be promoted through the integration of HER catalysts with advanced AEMs and OER catalysts.

Publications：

1. G. Lin, A. Dong, Z. Li, W. Li, X. Cao, Y. Zhao, L. Wang, L. Sun*, An Interlayer Anchored NiMo/MoO2 Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis at High Current Density, Advanced Materials 2025, 37, 2507525. (IF=26.8)

2. W. Shou, W. Zhao, Y. Liu, T. Wang*, Toward rational understanding of the hydrogen evolution polarization curves through multiscale simulations, Nature Communications 2025, 17, 802. (IF=15.7)

3. A. Dong†, G. Lin†, Z. Li, W. Wu, X. Cao, W. Li, L. Wang, Y. Zhao, D. Chen, L. Sun*, Interlayer-bonded Ni/MoO2 electrocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction with stability over 6000 h at 1000 mA cm−2, Nature Communications 2025, 16, 4955. (IF=15.7)

Our research focuses on the zero-based design and scalable preparation of transition metal-based OER catalysts with the advantages of low cost, easy reproducibility, and scalability in the AEM-WE for the purpose of developing a series of highly active and stable catalysts with independent intellectual property rights. The developed OER catalysts can be also extended to carbon-neutral fields such as alkaline water electrolysis and electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction.

Publications：

1. X. Cui†, Y. Ding†, F. Zhang, X. Cao, Y. Guo, L. Sun, B. Zhang*, Reserved charges in a long-lived NiOOH phase drive catalytic water oxidation, Nature Chemistry 2026, 18, 120-127. (IF=20.7)

2. H. Yang, F. Li*, S. Zhan, Y. Liu, T. Liu, L. Wang, W. Li, M. S. G. Ahlquist, S. Farid, R. Geshi, J. Wang, M. T. M. Koper, L. Sun*, Metal-hydroxyls mediate intramolecular proton transfer in heterogeneous O–O bond formation, Nature Chemistry 2025. (IF=20.7)

3. Z. Li†, G. Lin†, L. Wang, H. Lee, J. Du, T. Tang, G. Ding, R. Ren, W. Li, X. Cao, S. Ding, W. Ye, W. Yang, L. Sun*, Seed-assisted formation of NiFe anode catalysts for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis at industrial-scale current density, Nature Catalysis 2024, 7, 944–952. (IF=44.6)

4. Y. Guo, L. He, Y. Ding, L. Kloo, D. A. Pantazis, J. Messinger, L. Sun*, Closing Kok’s cycle of nature’s water oxidation catalysis, Nature Communications 2024, 15, 5982. (IF=15.7)

5. H. Yang, F. Li, S. Zhan, Y. Liu, W. Li, Q. Meng, A. Kravchenko, T. Liu, Y. Yang, Y. Fang, L. Wang, J. Guan, I. Furó, M. S. G. Ahlquist, L. Sun*, Intramolecular hydroxyl nucleophilic attack pathway by a polymeric water oxidation catalyst with single cobalt sites, Nature Catalysis 2022, 5, 414–429. (IF=44.6)

The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is the core component of AEM-WE, which is composed of an orderly assembly of key materials including the OER catalyst, AEM, and HER catalyst. It establishes stable three-phase interfaces, provides sites for water-splitting reactions, catalyzes electrochemical processes, and separates the generated gaseous products. The performance of MEA directly determines the efficiency, lifespan, and cost of the whole electrolyzer. Therefore, in addition to the development of high-performance catalysts and membrane materials, multi-dimensional optimization including MEA configuration design, encapsulation assembly, and operational condition refinement is also essential for constructing a stable, efficient, and low-cost integrated system. This approach serves as a key technology to promote the commercial application of green hydrogen production.

Publications：

1. S. Ding, Z. Li, G. Lin, Y. Ding, L. Wang, L. Sun*, Post‐Selenium‐Leaching Induced Fast Micro‐Bubble Detachment on Nickel‐Iron‐Based OER Catalyst for Efficient AEM‐WE, Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2025, 64, e202517132. (IF=17)

2. W. Li†, Y. Ding†, Y. Zhao†, Z. Li, G. Lin, L. Wang, L. Sun*, Zwitterion‐Modified NiFe OER Catalyst Achieving Ultrastable Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis via Dynamic Alkaline Microenvironment Engineering, Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2025, 64, e202505924. (IF=17)

3. S. Ding, Z. Li, G. Lin, L. Wang, A. Dong, L. Sun*, Enhancing Mass Transfer in Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis by Overlaid Nickel Mesh Substrate, ACS Energy Letters 2024, 9, 3719–3726. (IF=18.9)

Through the coupling with renewable energy, the anion exchange membrane electrolyzers can serve as reactors to drive the oxidation and reduction of organic substrates for the production of high-value-added chemicals (such as furandicarboxylic acid, furandimethanol, NADH, etc.) by using water as both the oxygen and hydrogen source. This research focuses on the development of novel and highly active catalysts, as well as high-performance electrolyzer reactors those integrate the anion exchange membranes, aiming at establishing a practical and promising green electrochemical synthesis paradigm based on AEM electrolyzers.

Publications：

1. D. Chen, L. Sun*, Electrocatalytic 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) Oxidation to 2, 5-Furandicarboxylic Acid (FDCA) Coupled to Green H2 Production: Current Challenges and Future Pathways, ACS Energy Letters 2026. (IF=18.9)

2. Q. Liu, W. Yang*, Resolving non-covalent interactions between surface hydroxyl on Cu and interfacial water in alkaline CO electroreduction, Nature Catalysis 2025, 8, 843–852. (IF=44.6)

3. S. Sun†, Y. Wu†, Y. Ding†, L. Wang, X. Cao, L. Sun*, Facet-Engineered Copper Electrocatalysts Enable Sustainable NADH Regeneration with High Efficiency, Journal of the American Chemical Society 2025, 147, 16630–16641. (IF=15.7)

4. B. Jia†, Z. Chen†, K. Zhu, W. Shi, Z. Hu, T. Wang*, L. Sun, B. Zhang*, Gallium modulated tin oxide for continuous production of formic acid via durable acidic CO2 electroreduction, Science Advances 2025, 11, eadw7326. (IF=12.5)

5. D. Chen, Y. Ding, X. Cao, L. Wang, H. Lee, G. Lin, W. Li, G. Ding, L. Sun*, Highly Efficient Biomass Upgrading by a Ni−Cu Electrocatalyst Featuring Passivation of Water Oxidation Activity, Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2023, 62, e202309478. (IF=17)