CELL2H2
Green Hydrogen and High-Value Chemicals by Electrocatalytic Valorisation of Cellulose
Electrochemical Materials and Applications
Our research mission is to advance clean electrochemical energy and power-to-X technologies, key enablers of a carbon-neutral and sustainable society. We combine fundamental and applied electrochemical materials science, driving innovation in both understanding and practical applications.
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Research areas
- Electrocatalytic valorization of biomass-derived chemicals, plastic residues, and other renewable resources
- Alternative green hydrogen production by co-electrolysis
- Electrochemical interfaces and processes for a low-carbon future
- Systems electrochemistry (from nano to macro relationships)
How we work
- Materials synthesis: We design novel electrocatalytic materials using hydrothermal synthesis and electrodeposition, with precise control over composition, morphology and structure.
- Electrochemical characterisation: We use conventional and advanced electrochemical techniques to understand material performance and reaction processes across multiple operational scales from batch to flow cells.
- Operando and microscopy methods: We develop and apply in situ spectro-electrochemistry and electrochemical microscopy to reveal how local structure, composition and activity are connected.
- Automated electrochemistry and acceleration: We combine high-throughput approaches and automated electrochemical platforms to accelerate materials discovery and optimise reaction conditions.
Current projects
AGRI-WASTE2H2
Green Hydrogen and Platform Chemicals from Agricultural Residues
HYXYL
Hydrogen production via co-electrolysis of xylan
VALOPET
Sustainable Valorization of PET Waste to Polymers and Hydrogen
COPRO
Electricity-driven co-production of xylitol from forest sugars and glycolic acid from PET waste
Our team
- Taru Lautamatti (Research Assistant, MSc thesis, 2025-2026): Development of chiral gold nanostructures for glucose electro-oxidation.
- Wakana Maeda (Student intern, 2025): Study of membrane materials for glucose electro-oxidation
Related content
Catalysis in a new light: Microscale interactions could enhance clean energy technologies
A new study provides a more detailed view of how catalysts function during chemical reactions. The discovery could help develop more efficient materials for applications such as green hydrogen production and a more sustainable chemical industry.
Future makers research batteries, cryptography and plastic recycling
The Technology Industries of Finland Centennial Foundation awarded 3.5 million euros in research funding to eight projects, five from Aalto University.
Daniel Martin-Yerga has been appointed Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science
Ph. D. Daniel Martin-Yerga has been appointed five-year fixed term Assistant Professor position at the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science as of 1 January 2025.
Latest publications
Metal-Dependent Control of Methoxy Retention versus Cleavage in Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation of Lignin-Derived Aromatics
Jiaqi Wang, Gen Li, Wenwen Tian, Ningyuan Nie, Ruixue Zhao, Daniel Martín-Yerga
2026
Electrochemical imaging of thermochemical catalysis
Xiangdong Xu, William C. Howland, Daniel Martín-Yerga, Cole S. Cadaram, Deiaa M. Harraz, Geoff D. West, Patrick R. Unwin, Yogesh Surendranath
2026
Nature Catalysis
High-Throughput Combinatorial Analysis of the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Nanoscale Lithium Metal Plating
Daniel Martín-Yerga, Xiangdong Xu, Dimitrios Valavanis, Geoff West, Marc Walker, Patrick R. Unwin
2024
ACS Nano
Synergistic Bimetallic PdNi Nanoparticles: Enhancing Glycerol Electrooxidation While Preserving C3 Product Selectivity
Jai White, Irina Terekhina, Egon Campos dos Santos, Daniel Martín-Yerga, Lars G.M. Pettersson, Mats Johnsson, Ann Cornell
2024
ACS Applied Energy Materials
Correlative co-located electrochemical multi-microscopy
Daniel Martín-Yerga, Patrick R. Unwin, Dimitrios Valavanis, Xiangdong Xu
2023
Current Opinion in Electrochemistry
Link between anisotropic electrochemistry and surface transformations at single-crystal silicon electrodes: Implications for lithium-ion batteries
Daniel Martín-Yerga, Mounib Bahri, Matthew E. Curd, Xiangdong Xu, Weiqun Li, Timothy L. Burnett, Philip J. Withers, B. Layla Mehdi, Nigel D. Browning, Patrick R. Unwin
2023
Natural Sciences
Activation of Glassy Carbon Surfaces by Alkaline Anodization Enhances Dopamine Adsorption and Electron-Transfer Kinetics
Dalia L. Swinya, Daniel Martín-Yerga, Marc Walker, Patrick R. Unwin
2023
ChemElectroChem
Fast Li-ion Storage and Dynamics in TiO2 Nanoparticle Clusters Probed by Smart Scanning Electrochemical Cell Microscopy
Emmanuel Batsa Tetteh, Dimitrios Valavanis, Enrico Daviddi, Xiangdong Xu, Carla Santana Santos, Edgar Ventosa, Daniel Martín-Yerga, Wolfgang Schuhmann, Patrick R. Unwin
2023
Angewandte Chemie - International Edition
Glycerol Electrooxidation at Industrially Relevant Current Densities Using Electrodeposited PdNi/Nifoam Catalysts in Aerated Alkaline Media
Jai White, Laurent Peters, Daniel Martín-Yerga, Irina Terekhina, Athira Anil, Helena Lundberg, Mats Johnsson, Germán Salazar-Alvarez, Gunnar Henriksson, Ann Cornell
2023
Journal of the Electrochemical Society
Interfacial Chemistry Effects in the Electrochemical Performance of Silicon Electrodes under Lithium-Ion Battery Conditions
Xiangdong Xu, Daniel Martín-Yerga, Nicholas E. Grant, Geoff West, Sophie L. Pain, Minkyung Kang, Marc Walker, John D. Murphy, Patrick R. Unwin
2023
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Join us / Open opportunities
We are always eager to connect with motivated and talented researchers who share our vision for advancing sustainable electrochemical materials science.
- We don't have any funded positions open at the moment.
Funders
Location
Kemistintie 1
Kemistintie 1