The Research and Postgraduate Centre congratulates Loh Jian Yiing, Yap Feng Ming, and Prof. Dr. Ong Wee Jun from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering (SECE) and the Centre of Excellence for NaNo Energy & Catalysis Technology (CONNECT) on their recent publication in Small, a peer-reviewed journal by Wiley (Q1, IF: 12.1). Their work was selected as the Frontispiece of the journal’s latest issue, highlighting its significance within the research community.
The study was first-authored by PhD student Loh Jian Yiing, with co-authorship by fellow PhD student Yap Feng Ming. Both are under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Ong Wee Jun. The research was also collaborated with Assist. Prof. Tan Ji Siang from Xiamen University Malaysia and Prof. Dr. Zeng Xianhai from Xiamen University, China.
Titled “In Situ Unravelling NiOOH Species on Flower-Like NiFeCo LDH/Nb₂CTₓ for Ameliorated Solar-Powered Bifunctional Electrocatalytic Benzyl Alcohol Oxidation Coupled with Hydrogen Evolution”, the article presents a new catalyst composed of earth-abundant metals. The material enables the simultaneous production of hydrogen and the conversion of benzyl alcohol into valuable chemicals, driven by solar energy. By combining layered double hydroxide (LDH) materials with 2D MXene (Nb₂CTₓ), the study offers a promising approach toward more efficient and sustainable chemical processes. Potential applications include the medical, food, and energy industries.
This recognition reflects the dedication, teamwork, and the significance of developing sustainable bifunctional catalysts,” Loh Jian Yiing shared. “I’m proud that our work contributes meaningfully to advancing green chemical synthesis and solar-driven hydrogen production.”
The article can be accessed at: https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202409331
Graphical abstract of the work published in Small.
The Frontispiece can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202570187
The Frontispiece illustration features symbolic elements such as fireworks and glowing lanterns to represent energy release and catalytic transformation. At its centre is the NiFeCo LDH/Nb₂CTₓ catalyst, highlighting its structural and functional integration.
The authors acknowledge financial support from the following institutions and funding bodies:
Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (FRGS/1/2024/TK08/XMU/02/1)
PETRONAS Research Sdn. Bhd. (PACD 2023)
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Malaysia (Strategic Research Fund S.22015)
Agilent Technologies Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
National Natural Science Foundation of China (22202168)
Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2021A1515111019)
State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University (2023X11)
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia (EENG/0045)
Xiamen University Malaysia Investigatorship Grant (IENG/0038)
Xiamen University Malaysia Research Fund (ICOE/0001 and XMUMRF/2021-C8/IENG/0041)
Dr. Ong Wee Jun is a Professor and the Assistant Dean at School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia. In 2021, he became the Director of Center of Excellence for NaNo Energy & Catalysis Technology (CONNECT). His research interests include nanomaterials for photo(electro)catalytic and electrochemical H2O splitting, CO2 reduction, H2O2 synthesis, N2 fixation, alcohol oxidation and organic synthesis as well as microwave plasma methane cracking for graphene and hydrogen production. He has received many prestigious awards, including 2019-2024 Global Highly Cited Researcher (Clarivate Analytics), 2020-2024 World’s Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University, 2024 Malaysia Scopus Research Excellence Award and many more.
For more details, refer to his website: