Nguyen Khoa Dang

• Topic research: Development of novel Cu-based electrocatalysts for energy- saving hydrogen production.
• Objective: Designed and engineered copper-based electrocatalysts to lower energy consumption in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) during water electrolysis.
• Synthesis:
  Prepared a series of Cu-based nanostructures via wet-chemical and electrochemical deposition methods.
  Optimized catalyst morphology and composition to enhance active site density and conductivity.
• Characterization:
  Utilized XRD, SEM, TEM, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and XPS to determine structural, morphological, and surface chemical properties.
  Analyzed electrochemical behavior using cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), Tafel analysis, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).
• Performance Evaluation:
  Achieved significant reduction in overpotential and improved Tafel slope, indicating faster HER kinetics.
  Demonstrated high catalytic durability and stability under prolonged electrolysis conditions.
  Compared Cu-based electrocatalysts with conventional noble-metal catalysts, highlighting cost-effectiveness and scalability.
• Outcome: Established Cu-based catalysts as a promising alternative for sustainable and energy-efficient hydrogen production.
• Publication: Contributed to two Q1 journal papers in international peer-reviewed journals, in collaboration with professors in Vietnam.

Topic research: Mn3O4/activated carbon nanocomposites for adsorptive removal of methylene blue

• Objective: Designed and synthesized Mn₃O₄/activated carbon nanocomposites to address dye-contaminated wastewater through enhanced adsorption performance.
• Synthesis: Developed a facile chemical co-precipitation method to anchor Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles onto activated carbon, improving surface reactivity and stability.
• Characterization: Applied multiple techniques (XRD for crystallinity, SEM/TEM for morphology, BET for surface area analysis) to confirm composite structure and physicochemical properties.
• Adsorption Studies:
  Evaluated removal efficiency of methylene blue under varying operational conditions (pH, initial dye concentration, contact time, adsorbent dosage, temperature).
  Modeled adsorption behavior using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, and analyzed kinetics via pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models.
  Demonstrated high adsorption capacity, rapid dye removal, and recyclability of the nanocomposite.
• Outcome: Proved Mn₃O₄/AC nanocomposites as a cost-effective and efficient material for wastewater treatment.
• Publication: Results published in Chemical Engineering Journal (Q1, IF ~15), September 2023.

• Topic research: ZnCl2-based activation for converting spent coffee grounds into a robust anode for Li-ion batteries
• Objective: Developed a sustainable route to recycle biomass waste (spent coffee grounds) into high-performance carbon anodes for Li-ion batteries.
• Synthesis:
  Applied ZnCl₂ chemical activation during carbonization to enhance pore structure, surface area, and conductivity.
  Optimized activation temperature and ZnCl₂/C ratios to balance microporosity and electrical transport pathways.
• Characterization:
  Confirmed structure, morphology, and porosity using XRD, SEM, TEM, BET surface analysis, FTIR.
  Demonstrated significant increase in specific surface area and defect sites beneficial for Li-ion storage.
• Electrochemical Evaluation:
  Fabricated coin-cell half-cells with the biomass-derived carbon as the anode.
  Measured charge–discharge profiles, specific capacity, rate performance, and long-term cycling stability.
  Showed superior performance compared to untreated coffee-ground-derived carbons, including higher reversible capacity and excellent retention after multiple cycles.
• Outcome: Validated ZnCl₂-activated spent coffee grounds as a low-cost, eco-friendly, and scalable approach for next-generation Li-ion battery anode materials.
• Publication: Published in an international peer-reviewed journal, highlighting potential of biomass-to-energy material conversion.

Engaged in research-oriented training on semiconductor materials and thin-film processing techniques.

Conducted experimental work on thin-film sensor fabrication, focusing on deposition and coating methodologies.

Practiced physical vapor deposition (sputtering) to prepare functional thin films with controlled thickness and composition.

Applied spin coating for uniform thin-film fabrication on sensor substrates, followed by annealing and characterization.

Gained foundational knowledge of semiconductor device fabrication workflows, including material preparation, film growth, and performance evaluation.

Strengthened skills in experimental design, data collection, and scientific problem-solving within a high-tech research environment.