The Chen research laboratory is well equipped with advanced instruments including atomic force microscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electrochemical microscopy, total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer, TGA/DSC analyzer, BET surface area analyzer, several electrochemical workstations, pure water system, and facilities for the synthesis of nanomaterials.
The instruments in the Chen laboratory have enabled the research team to design and study a wide range of nanomaterials and nanocomposites, using materials such as gold, copper, platinum, palladium, titanium dioxide, and graphene.
The Chen Research Team has designed and studied a wide range of gold, copper, platinum, palladium, titanium dioxide, and graphene-based nanomaterials and nanocomposites to develop electrochemical technologies for advanced energy, environmental, food, and medical applications.
Dr. Chen received his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Guelph in 1998. He worked at Huron Tech Canada Inc. as a research scientist and FINNCHEM Canada Inc. as an electrochemical specialist before beginning his career as a professor at Lakehead University in 2002. He has been a Canada Research Chair since 2006 and joined the Department of Chemistry at the University of Guelph in 2017. He is also the director of the Electrochemical Technology Centre (ETC) at the University of Guelph.
Dr. Chen’s research interests span the areas of Electrochemistry, Photoelectrochemistry, Green Chemistry, Biorefining, Materials Science and Nanoscience. Electrochemical technologies are extensively used in metal production, fuel cell development, energy storage, corrosion protection, water purification, wastewater treatment, and environmental analysis. Dr. Chen’s research program not only addresses fundamental issues relating to the structures and reactivity of electrochemical interfaces but is also dedicated to the development of nanomaterials-based electrochemical technologies for advanced energy, environmental, food, and medical applications. His research focuses on the following major themes: