CELL2H2
Green Hydrogen and High-Value Chemicals by Electrocatalytic Valorisation of Cellulose
Electrochemical Materials and Applications
We develop electrocatalytic materials and processes that turn renewable feedstocks and waste into valuable chemicals through electrochemical oxidation and hydrogenation, with green hydrogen co-production in selected processes. Led by Assistant Professor Daniel Martín-Yerga, our group combines materials design, advanced characterisation and automated experiments to connect fundamental understanding with practical applications.
Research areas
♻️ Renewable and waste-to-chemicals
We use electrochemical oxidation and hydrogenation to turn biomass-derived molecules and plastic residues into valuable chemicals.
⚡ Hydrogen co-production
We combine renewable-feedstock conversion with green hydrogen production in selected co-electrolysis processes.
Projects: CELL2H2 · AGRI-WASTE2H2 · HYXYL
🔬 Electrochemical interfaces across scales
We connect nanoscale structure and reactivity with performance in batch and flow cells to guide electrocatalyst and process design.
How we work
We combine materials design, laboratory experiments and advanced characterisation to understand what makes an electrocatalyst active, selective and stable.
- Materials synthesis: We use hydrothermal synthesis and electrodeposition to tailor catalyst composition, morphology and structure.
- Electrochemical characterisation: We evaluate catalyst performance in laboratory-scale single-compartment cells, divided H-cells and flow cells. We identify and quantify reaction products mainly using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC).
- In situ spectroscopy and microscopy: We develop and apply in situ spectroelectrochemistry (Raman and ATR-FTIR) and scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) to connect local structure and composition with electrochemical activity.
- Automated electrochemistry: We are developing closed-loop workflows that combine automated experimentation with AI-guided selection of the next experiment. Each result informs the next step, enabling autonomous optimisation of experimental parameters.
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
Sardar Muhammad Asad Hayat
Doctoral Researcher
Electrochemical conversion of hemicellulose derivatives
- Oiva Kauppinen (Research Assistant, 2026): Automated electrochemistry in flow.
- Kristina Tarson (Research Assistant, MSc thesis, 2026): Bimetallic electrocatalysts for electro-oxidation of ethylene glycol.
- Jussi Liblik (Research Assistant, MSc thesis, 2026): Electrocatalytic hydrogenation of xylose.
- 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
Contact the group
News and highlights
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
ACS Catalysis
October 2026 · Open access
Controlling selectivity in lignin hydrogenation
Rhodium and platinum steer lignin-derived molecules towards different products: rhodium favours methoxy retention, while platinum promotes cleavage.
Jiaqi Wang et al.
Small
August 2026 · Open access
Tannin-derived nanospheres for electrocatalysis
Uniform nanospheres made from condensed tannin provide a renewable platform for finely dispersed metal catalysts. Platinum-decorated carbon nanospheres improve the electrochemical hydrogenation of guaiacol.
Weitong Wang et al.
Nature Catalysis
March 2026 · Open access
Mapping how catalyst sites work together
Scanning electrochemical cell microscopy reveals how different platinum crystal grains contribute to formic acid oxidation and oxygen reduction, and how these reactions couple during thermochemical catalysis.
Electrochemical imaging of thermochemical catalysis
Xiangdong Xu et al.
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.
Who to contact
For enquiries about joining the group, please contact our group leader, Assistant Professor Daniel Martín-Yerga:
daniel.martinyerga@aalto.fi
Funders
Location
Kemistintie 1
Kemistintie 1