| Exploring the Ultra-Low Loading of IrOx on TiO2 Nanotube Arrays Using a Facile Electrochemical MethodProton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolyzers are key technologies in aiding the transition towards sustainable future energy systems. Despite their compatibility with other renewable energy sources, including wind and solar energy, the scarcity and the resultant high cost of the state-of-the-art water splitting catalysts such as iridium oxide, and the bottlenecked kinetic performance of the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) limits the widespread use of PEM water electrolyzers. In this work, we present a simple methodology to boost the utilization of iridium oxide catalysts by decreasing the loading of iridium on TiO2 nanotube arrays. Self-assembled titania nanotubes with easily controllable morphology can be conveniently grown via room-temperature anodization, through which we intrinsically embed IrOx into the tube walls.[1] As TiO2 is an n-type semiconductor exhibiting current blockages in anodic electrochemical profiles, defect engineering techniques are used to introduce point defects such as Ti3+ and oxygen vacancies (VO) to enhance the conductive and electrocatalytic properties of the resultant IrOx@TiO2 catalyst.[2] The resultant binder-free electrodes were characterized using methods including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, HAADF-STEM, and electrochemical voltammetry tests. Results of this study give a novel perspective on designing low-loading OER catalysts using a simple one-pot strategy.
University of Alberta | Activity | 2025-05-18 | Ula Suliman, Liu, J., Mohajernia, S. |
| Nanostructured Nickel Oxide Electrodes Fabricated Using Glancing Angle Deposition for Electrochemical Water SplittingIn this study, the effects of deposition angle, film thickness, and deposition rate over the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance of nickel oxide GLAD-fabricated electrodes were investigated. Thicknesses of 300 nm, 500 nm, 700 nm, and 1000 nm were considered, while deposition angles of 74°, 78°, 83°, and 86° were tested. Among these parameters, the best performance was achieved at a deposition angle of 78° and a thickness of 500 nm, where an optimal balance of surface area and mass transfer was achieved, resulting in an overpotential of 355 mV at 10 mA/cm². It was observed that increasing the deposition angle caused a decrease in areal density of the nanocolumnar NiO structures. To further optimize electrode performance, the effect of deposition rate was examined under four different scenarios, all tested at a deposition angle of 78° and a thickness of 500 nm: (1) a constant deposition rate of 0.2 nm/s, (2) a constant deposition rate of 0.4 nm/s, (3) a deposition rate starting at 0.2 nm/s and gradually increasing to 0.4 nm/s, and (4) a deposition rate starting at 0.4 nm/s and gradually decreasing to 0.2 nm/s. The results revealed that the fourth scenario, where the deposition rate started at 0.4 nm/s and decreased to 0.2 nm/s, yielded the best performance. Under these conditions, an overpotential of 300 mV was achieved at 10 mA/cm². X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the crystal structure and morphology of the electrodes. These findings highlight the critical role of fine-tuning deposition parameters in optimizing electrode performance and advancing cost-effective green hydrogen production. University of Alberta | Activity | 2025-05-18 | "Parsa Borhani", "Elham Kamali", "Kenneth Harris", Mohajernia, S. |
| Ask an Energy Expert Series | Activity | 2024-09-04 | Ula Suliman |
| AWSN x FES: WinSTEM Week at the Thelma Chalifoux School | Activity | 2024-10-10 | Ula Suliman |
| Climate Quest Exhibit @ TELUS World of ScienceDecember 14, 2024: Ula / Climate Quest Exhibit @ TELUS World of Science | Activity | 2024-12-14 | Ula Suliman |
| Demonstration on green H2 productionParsa gave a demonstration as part of the Future Energy Systems (FES) program at the Edmonton Public Library. | Activity | 2025-04-13 | "Parsa Borhani" |
| Energy TalksJune 19, 2024: Energy Talks (Dr. Mohajernia, Ula) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_7-d6cSZSc&t=3541s University of Alberta | Activity | 2024-06-19 | Mohajernia, S., Ula Suliman |
| Future Energy Systems' Energy Explorers program - TELUS World of Science Paniz volunteered with the Future Energy Systems' Energy Explorers program at the University of Alberta. On March 29, she showcased her hydrogen energy and water-splitting demonstration to enthusiastic young learners at TELUS World of Science - Edmonton.
Event holder: Future Energy Systems
Location: TELUS World of Science - Edmonton
Date: March 29, 2025
| Activity | 2025-03-29 | Paniz Hajialigol |
| NARGMATs representation - as part of the Future Energy Systems initiative at the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) mixerUla and Parsa represented NARGMATS as part of the Future Energy Systems initiative at the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) mixer. Their goal was to introduce green hydrogen energy as a compelling investment opportunity for energy industries. | Activity | 2024-11-03 | Ula Suliman, "Parsa Borhani" |
| NRGMATs Energy Materials Group – Lab Tour Summary for Edmonton's Teachers
In this 25-minute session, participating teachers were introduced to the research activities of the NRGMATs Energy Materials Group, led by Sadegh. The tour focused on the group’s work in developing advanced materials for clean energy technologies, such as photocatalytic hydrogen production and nanostructured semiconductors.
Teachers explored how these research themes connect to high school science curricula—particularly topics like energy conversion, chemical reactions, material properties, and nanoscience. Through live demonstrations and hands-on explanations, the tour highlighted practical ways these concepts could be brought into the classroom to inspire students and show the relevance of science to real-world challenges.
The session provided valuable opportunities for dialogue between researchers and educators, helping bridge the gap between cutting-edge science and classroom teaching.
| Activity | 2024-08-14 | Sadegh Pourali |
| Presentation on green hydrogen - Future Energy Systems (FES) team at K-DaysParsa gave a compelling presentation on green hydrogen as part of the Future Energy Systems (FES) team at K-Days, an annual festival in Edmonton. The goal of the presentation was to familiarize the public with the potential of green hydrogen as a clean energy source and its role in reducing carbon emissions. Through engaging explanations, Parsa helped attendees, including festival-goers of all ages, understand how green hydrogen can transform energy systems, highlighting its importance in the transition to a sustainable future. | Activity | 2024-08-04 | "Parsa Borhani" |
| Southeast Edmonton Men's Shed PresentatioSoutheast Edmonton Men's Shed Presentation: Niyaz and Parsa gave a public talk on green hydrogen energy. | Activity | 2025-01-25 | Niyaz Khan Sujakani, "Parsa Borhani" |
| TeamUP Science - outreach event Paniz, Niyaz, Tooba and Ula volunteered with TeamUP Science at an outreach event held at the University of Alberta on March 9. Paniz and Niyaz assisted Ula in presenting an engaging live demonstration on hydrogen gas production and water splitting to enthusiastic high school students.
Event holder: TeamUp Science
Location: University of Alberta
Date: March 9, 2025
| Activity | 2025-03-09 | Paniz Hajialigol, Niyaz Khan Sujakani, Ula Suliman, "Tooba Mahmood" |
| To familiarize kids with the potential of hydrogen energy Parsa represented the NRGMATs as a part of the Future Energy Systems (FES) team at the Telus World of Science, engaging the public with an interactive showcase of our hydrogen generation research through water splitting systems. By providing hands-on demonstrations and simplifying complex concepts, Parsa aimed to familiarize kids with the potential of hydrogen energy as a clean and sustainable power source. The event helped inspire curiosity and understanding about renewable energy technologies among attendees of all ages. | Activity | 2024-06-16 | "Parsa Borhani" |
| Two visitors from University of Siegen - Germany
Nastaran Farahbakhsh was a visiting PhD student in the NRGMATs group within the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on energy materials, particularly nanostructured NiO for energy conversion. Majid is investigating novel nanostructured oxides for energy conversion with Professor Shiva Mohajernia in the NRGMATs group at the University of Alberta. Two visitors from Germany, using the FES-supported equipment, have been actively engaged in these collaborative research efforts.
| Activity | 2024-10-06 | Nastaran Farah Bakhsh, "Majid Shahsanaei" |
| Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Reaction Performance of ZnO Nanorods on Activated Carbon ClothPeer-reviewed journal article published in Energy & Fuels (Vol. 39, Issue 12, March 2025), reporting the development of a cost-effective, binder-free oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalyst. The study demonstrates that ZnO nanorods grown on electrochemically activated carbon cloth (ZnO NRs/ECAT@CC) exhibit enhanced OER performance and stability in alkaline conditions, offering a promising alternative to precious-metal-based catalysts for sustainable hydrogen production.
University of Alberta | Publication | 2025-03-18 | "Chandra Prakash", Ula Suliman, Sadegh Pourali, "Ambesh Dixit", Liu, J., Mohajernia, S. |
| In situ Pt single-atom trapping on TiO2 nanotubes via ultrasonication: a one-pot approach to produce active electrodes for electrocatalytic H2 evolution University of Alberta | Publication | 2024-09-01 | "Sina Hejazi", Sadegh Pourali, "Ali Kosari", "Nastaran Farahbakhsh", Manuela S Killian, Mohajernia, S. |
| Under review manuscript (Journal of Materials Chemistry A) - Ula's workThis study explores the OER and GOR performance of TiO2 nanotubes (TiO2-NTs) decorated with copper (Cu) species. University of Alberta | Publication | 2025-05-04 | Ula Suliman, Liu, J., Mohajernia, S. |
