Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Dr Hua Bing Tao, Xiamen University, China

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Abstract

Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.

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Dr Hua Bing Tao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3269-3812) is an Associate Professor and PhD supervisor at the College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, and Project Leader for PEM water electrolysis hydrogen production at the Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM). He also serves as Chairman of Amoy Island Hydrogen (Xiamen) Technology Co., Ltd.

His research centers on the development of low-iridium, high-current-density PEM water electrolysis technology, spanning fundamental mechanisms, materials innovation, and industrial translation. In recent years, he has published more than 40 papers as first or corresponding author in high-impact journals including Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Catalysis, Joule, Journal of the American Chemical Society, and Advanced Materials, with more than 4000 citations. He also holds over 60 patents covering key PEM technologies, from catalysts and membrane electrode assemblies to electrolyzer system integration.

Dr Tao has led and participated in multiple National Key R&D Programs and major provincial projects. In 2023, his team developed a low-iridium, 100-kW-class high-current-density PEM electrolyzer, recognized as the first (set) major technical equipment in China's energy sector. This achievement represented a breakthrough in overcoming foreign technological barriers and accelerated domestic industrialization, advancing low-cost and high-efficiency green hydrogen production.

Read Hua Bing Tao's Emerging Investigator Series article ‘Is high specific surface area essential for anode catalyst supports in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis?’ ( https://doi.org/10.1039/D5MH01127B ) and read more about him in the interview below:

MH: Your recent Materials Horizons Communication demonstrates that large-particle, low-surface-area supports markedly enhance reactant and product transport, overturning a prevailing paradigm in electrocatalyst design that prioritizes maximizing the surface area. How has your research evolved from your first article to this most recent article and where do you see your research going in future?

HT: Over the past 12 years, my work has followed the full arc of the hydrogen economy—from fundamental electrochemical studies to industrial-scale implementation. My early research focused on catalysts and other core materials for water electrolysis. However, I gradually realized that there was a persistent gap between academic advances and industrial application, which limited the real-world impact of new discoveries. After returning to China, I shifted my perspective to prioritize industrial feasibility, asking how fundamental breakthroughs can be translated into technologies that serve practical deployment. This mindset led directly to my most recent contribution, which challenges long-standing assumptions in electrocatalyst design. Looking ahead, I plan to continue advancing integrated “electricity-to-hydrogen-to-green fuels” technologies, particularly under fluctuating renewable energy conditions, to achieve both higher energy efficiency and scalable production.

MH: What aspect of your work are you most excited about at the moment?

HT: I am most excited about developing integrated pathways that connect fluctuating renewable electricity with hydrogen production and downstream green fuel synthesis. This direction offers a breakthrough opportunity to reduce storage and peak-shaving costs, while creating flexible, high-efficiency systems for sustainable fuel production.

MH: In your opinion, what are the most important questions to be asked/answered in this field of research?

HT: A key question is how to couple downstream green fuel synthesis with fluctuating upstream renewable inputs. Most current systems remain designed for steady-state operation and are constrained by thermal inertia and heat transfer limitations. This slows system response and destabilizes key components, making it difficult to operate flexibly across load conditions. Overcoming these challenges will be essential to realizing the promise of renewable-to-fuel integration.

MH: What do you find most challenging about your research?

HT: The biggest challenge lies in adapting to the inherent intermittency of renewable energy inputs. This requires not only optimizing reactor design and internal heat transfer, but also ensuring that catalyst materials can withstand fluctuating operating conditions without loss of stability or performance.

MH: In which upcoming conferences or events may our readers meet you?

HT: I will be attending the 22nd National Catalysis Conference of the Chinese Chemical Society.

MH: How do you spend your spare time?

HT: In my free time, I enjoy reading across a wide range of subjects, which enriches my perspective and broadens my understanding beyond science. I also make time for physical exercise, which helps me maintain both health and balance in life.

MH: Can you share one piece of career-related advice or wisdom with other early career scientists?

HT: Establish your values and long-term vision as early as possible. Whether your path leads toward academia or industry, having a clear sense of direction and a sensitivity to emerging opportunities is vital. Once you identify the right opportunity, pursue it boldly and with persistence.

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