Dr. Jason Chun-Ho LAM

Academic Appointment

Research Interests

My research group focuses on developing aqueous-based electrocatalytic reactions to transform wastes to useful chemicals and fuels. We aim to publish the highest quality paper through tailoring catalyst morphology to control product yield/selectivity and investigating reaction mechanisms. There are 3 main research directions

1)  Electrocatalytic Upgrading of Biomass and Waste Materials in an Aqueous Environment

2)  Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) Electrocatalytic Treatment of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Wastewater

3)  Electrochemical Extraction of Valuable Metals from e-Waste

Outside of lab, I enjoy designing workshops and teaching materials to educate younger generations on the importance of upcycling.

Course Taught

SEE6214 Solid Waste Treatment and Management
SEE3003 Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies

PhD and Postdoc Positions Available

PhD Candidate (4 Years)

• Potential candidates who are interested in the topics of electrocatalysis are welcome to e-mail me with their CV and their first-author (co-first author) publication(s).
• Candidate with at least 1 first-author (or co-first author) in SCI-indexed journal is preferred.
• Candidate with no publications can also be considered if strong research experiences is presented.
• Candidate is expected to publish 3 – 4 quality papers under my mentorship during his/her PhD study.
   

Postdoc (2+ years, renew annually)

• Duties

  • Publish in high impact journal (1 – 2 papers per year)
  • Perform research duties
  • Co-mentor junior students
  • Co-supervise some of the industrial-sponsored projects

• Requirements

  • Good background in electrocatalysis (HER, OER, ECH, AOP …etc) or organic chemistry (synthesis, catalysis, or characterization) or material science is preferred.
    At least 2 first-author papers in SCI-indexed journals.

• Salary and Conditions of Service

  Salary offered will be highly competitive, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Fringe benefits include leave, medical and dental consultations at the campus clinic.
  **If candidate’s PhD degree is obtained from a top 100 university in the world (based on QS / THE / ARWU list), he or she may gain additional salary from the HK government talent researcher program.**

• Application

  Applications will be accepted until all the positions are filled. Please send the most current CV and 2 papers to Dr. Lam’s email at jason.lam@cityu.edu.hk. Suitable candidates will be invited for an online interview within 2 weeks.

City University of Hong Kong is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to the principle of diversity. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, especially applicants who will enhance the diversity of our staff.

Publications

After Joining the School of Energy and Environment (As of Nov 2022)

Most Updated List: https://scholar.google.com.hk/citations?hl=en&user=Ap48oUcAAAAJ

2022

• Huang, S.; Gong, B.; Jin, Y.X.; Sit, H.-L.; Lam, J. C.-H.*, The Structural Phase Effect of MoS₂ in Controlling the Reaction Selectivity between Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation and Dimerization of Furfural, ACS Catal., 2022, 12 (18), 11340-11354. (Featured on Front Cover)
  
• Huang, S.; Jin, Y.X.; Zhang, M.; Yan, K.; Feng, S.P.; Lam, J. C.-H.*, MoS₂-Catalyzed Selective Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation of Aromatic Aldehydes in an Aqueous Environment, Green Chem., 2022, 24, 7974-7987.
• Liu, K.; Huang, S.; Jin, Y.; Lam, J. C.-H.* Teaching Electrometallurgical Recycling of Metals from Waste Printed Circuit Board (WPCB) via Slurry Electrolysis using Benign Chemicals, Chem. Educ., 2022, (Minor Revision, Resubmitted)
• Song, B.; Cao, X.; Gao, W.; Aziz, S.; Gao, S.; Lam, C.-H.; Lin, R., Preparation of nano-biochar from conventional biorefineries for high-value applications. Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev. 2022, 157, 112057.
• Liu, K.; Huang, S.; Jin, Y.; Ma, L.; Wang, W.-X.; Lam, J. C.-H.*, A green slurry electrolysis to recover valuable metals from waste printed circuit board (WPCB) in recyclable pH-neutral ethylene glycol. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2022, 433, 128702
• Jin, Q.; Tao, D.; Lu, Y.; Sun, J.; Lam, C. H.; Su, G.; He, Y., New insight on occurrence of liquid crystal monomers: A class of emerging e-waste pollutants in municipal landfill leachate. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2022, 423, 127146.
• Wang, X.; Li, C.; Lam, C. H.; Subramanian, K.; Qin, Z.-H.; Mou, J.-H.; Jin, M.; Chopra, S. S.; Singh, V.; Ok, Y. S.; Yan, J.; Li, H.-Y.; Lin, C. S. K., Emerging waste valorisation techniques to moderate the hazardous impacts, and their path towards sustainability. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2022, 423, 127023.
• Deng, W.; Syed-Hassan, S. S. A.; Lam, C. H.; Hu, X.; Wang, X.; Xiong, Z.; Han, H.; Xu, J.; Jiang, L.; Su, S.; Hu, S.; Wang, Y.; Xiang, J., Polymerization during low-temperature electrochemical upgrading of bio-oil: Multi-technique characterization of bio-oil evolution. Energy Convers. Manage. 2022, 253, 115165.
• Khan, R. J.; Lau, C. Y.; Guan, J.; Lam, C. H.; Zhao, J.; Ji, Y.; Wang, H.; Xu, J.; Lee, D.-J.; Leu, S.-Y., Recent advances of lignin valorization techniques toward sustainable aromatics and potential benchmarks to fossil refinery products. Bioresource Technology 2022, 346, 126419.
• Lang, L.; Li, Y.; Lam, J. C.-H.*; Ding, Y.; Yin, X.; Wu, C., Enhancing the selectivity of hydrocarbons during the Kolbe electrolysis of biomass-derived short-chain carboxylic acids by anionic surfactants. Sustainable Energy & Fuels 2022, 6 (11), 2797-2804.
• Deng, W.; Wang, X.; Lam, C. H.; Xiong, Z.; Han, H.; Xu, J.; Jiang, L.; Su, S.; Hu, S.; Wang, Y.; Xiang, J., Evolution of coke structures during electrochemical upgrading of bio-oil. Fuel Processing Technology 2022, 225, 107036.

2021

• Wang, X.; Deng, W.; Lam, C. H.; Xiong, Y.; Xiong, Z.; Xu, J.; Jiang, L.; Su, S.; Hu, S.; Wang, Y.; Xiang, J., Coke formation and its impacts during electrochemical upgrading of bio-oil. Fuel 2021, 306, 121664.
• Chen, Q.; Song, B.; Li, X.; Wang, R.; Wang, S.; Xu, S.; Reniers, F.; Lam, C. H.*, Enhancing the Properties of Photocatalysts via Nonthermal Plasma Modification: Recent Advances, Treatment Variables, Mechanisms, and Perspectives. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 2021, 60 (47), 16813-16826.
• Huang, S.; Yi, J.; Pan, Y.; Wang, C.; Jin, Y.; Song, Y.; Xu, Y.; Lam, C. H.*; Li, H.; Xu, H., Steering Hole Transfer from the Light Absorber to Oxygen Evolution Sites for Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting. Advanced Materials Interfaces 2021, 8 (22), 2101158.
• Fan, Y.; Li, L.; Yang, G.; Sun, Y.; He, L.; Wu, P.; Lam, C. H.; Song, B., Suppression Effect of Gamma-Valerolactone on the Mild Alkaline Pretreatment of Hybrid Pennisetum. ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2021, 9 (44), 14846-14856.
• Yang, J.; Au, W. C.; Law, H.; Lam, C. H.; Nah, T., Formation and evolution of brown carbon during aqueous-phase nitrate-mediated photooxidation of guaiacol and 5-nitroguaiacol. Atmospheric Environment 2021, 254, 118401.
• Garedew, M.; Lam, C. H.*; Petitjean, L.; Huang, S.Q.; Song, B.; Lin, F.; Jackson, J.E.; Saffron, C. M.; Anastas, P. T.* “Electrochemical Upgrading of Depolymerized Lignin: A Review of Model Compound Studies” Green Chem., 2021, 23, 2868-2899.
• Peng, Y.; Ruan, Q.;  Lam, C. H.;  Meng, F.;  Guan, C.-Y.;  Santoso, S. P.;  Zou, X.;  Yu, E. T.;  Chu, P. K.; Hsu, H.-Y., Plasma-implanted Ti-doped hematite photoanodes with enhanced photoelectrochemical water oxidation performance. J. Alloys Compd. 2021, 870, 159376.
• Tu, Q.; Parvatker, A.; Garedew, M.; Harris, C.; Eckelman, M.; Zimmerman, J.; Anastas, P. T.; Lam, C. H.*, Electrocatalysis Demonstrates Significant Climate Change Mitigation Potential for Chemical and Fuel Production, Environ. Sci. Technol. 2021, 55(5), 3240-3249.
• Song, B.; Lin, R.; Lam, C. H.; Wu, H.; Tsui, T.-H.; Yu, Y., Recent Advances and Challenges of Inter-disciplinary Biomass Valorization by Integrating Hydrothermal and Biological Techniques. Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev. 2021, 135, 110370.

2020

• Xin, J.; Liu, M.; Zhang, G.; Wang, J.; Xia, Q.; Sun, Y.; Zhou, Z.; Zhang, W.; Wang, S.; Lam, C. H.*; Yang, C.; Shen, J.; Chaudhari, R., Chemical Synthesis of Adipic Acid from Glucose and Derivatives: Challenges for Nanocatalyst Design. ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2020, 8, 51, 18732–18754.
• Garedew, M.; Lin, F.; Song, B.; de Winter, T. M.; Jackson, J.E.; Saffron, C. M.; Lam, C. H.*; Anastas, P. T.* “Greener Routes to Biomass Waste Valorization: Lignin Transformation Through Electrocatalysis for Renewable Chemicals and Fuels Production” ChemSusChem, 2020, 13, 1-25.
• Lam, C. H.*; Deng, W.; Lang, L.; Jin, X.; Hu, X.; Wang, Y., Minireview on Bio-Oil Upgrading via Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation: Connecting Biofuel Production with Renewable Power. Energy Fuels 2020, 34 (7), 7915-7928.
• Hu, X.; Zhang, Z.;  Gholizadeh, M.;  Zhang, S.;  Lam, C. H.;  Xiong, Z.; Wang, Y., Coke Formation during Thermal Treatment of Bio-oil. Energy Fuels, 2020, 34 (7), 7863-7914.

2019

• Lam, C. H.*; Jackson, J. E. “Teaching Electrochemistry with Common Objects: Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation of Acetol with U.S. Coins” J. Chem. Educ., 2019, 97 (1), 172-177.
• Lam, C. H.; Escande, V.; Mellor, K.; Zimmerman, J. B.; Anastas, P. T.* “Teaching Atom Economy and E-Factor Concepts through a Green Laboratory Experiment: Aerobic Oxidative Cleavage of Meso-Hydrobenzoin to Benzaldehyde using a Heterogeneous Catalyst” J. Chem. Educ., 2019, 96 (4), 761-765.

Before Joining the School of Energy and Environment

• Erythropel, H. C.; Zimmerman, J. B.; de Winter, T. M.; Petitjean, L.; Melnikov, F.; Lam, C. H.; Lounsbury, A. W.; Mellor, K. E.; Janković, N. Z.; Tu, Q.; Pincus, L. N.; Falinski, M. M.; Shi, W.; Coish, P.; Plata, D. L.; Anastas, P. T. “The Green ChemisTREE: 20 Years After Taking Root with the 12 Principles” Green Chem., 2018, 20, 1929-1961. (Featured on Front Cover)
  
• Lam, C. H.; Bloomfield A. J.; Anastas, P. T. “Switchable Production of Valuable Feedstocks from Glycerol via Electrocatalytic Oxidation with Earth Abundant Metal Water Oxidation Catalyst” Green Chem., 2017, 19, 1958-1968.
• Escande, V. E.*; Lam, C. H.*; Coish, P.; Anastas, P. T. “Heterogeneous Sodium-Manganese Oxide Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Cleavage of 1,2-diols” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 9561 – 9565. (*Contributed Equally) (Featured as Hot Paper)
• Lam, C. H.; Das, S.; Erickson, N.; Hyzer, C.; Garedew, M.; Anderson, J. E.; Wallington, T. J.; Tamor, M. A.; Jackson, J. E.; Saffron, C. M. “Towards Sustainable Hydrocarbon Fuels with Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Oil and Electrocatalytic Upgrading” Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2017, 1, 258-266. (Featured on Front Cover)
  
• Escande, V. E.; Lam, C. H.; Claude, G.; Anastas, P. T. “EcoMnOx, a Biosourced Catalyst for Selective Aerobic Oxidative Cleavage of Activated 1,2-Diols” ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng., 2017, 5 (4), 3214-3222.
• Gillet, S.; Petitjean, L.; Aguedo, M.; Lam, C. H.; Blecker, C.; Anastas, P. “Impact of Lignin Structure on Oil Production via Hydroprocessing with a Copper-Doped Porous Metal Oxide Catalyst” Bioresour. Technol., 2016, 233, 216-226.
• Lam, C. H.; Lowe, C.; Li, Z.; Longe, K.; Rayburn, J.; Caldwell, M.; Houdek, C.; Maguire J.; Saffron, C. M.; Miller, D. J.; Jackson, J. E. “Electrocatalytic Upgrading of Model Lignin Monomers with Earth Abundant Metal Electrodes” Green Chem., 2015, 17, 601-609.
• Li, Z.; Garedew, M.; Lam, C. H.; Luczek, K.; Jackson, J. E.; Miller, D. J.; Saffron, C. M. “Mild Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation and Hydrodeoxygenation of Bio-oil Derived Phenolic Compounds Using Ruthenium Supported on Activated Carbon Cloth” Green Chem., 2012, 14, 2540-2549.
• Li, Z.; Kelkar, S.; Lam, C. H.; Luczek, K.; Jackson, J. E.; Miller, D. J.; Saffron, C. M. “Aqueous Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation of Furfural Using a Sacrificial Anode” Electrochim. Acta 2012, 64, 87-93.
• Patents – Jackson, J. E.; Lam, C. H.; Saffron, C. M.; Miller, D. J. “Electrolyzer Reactor and Related Methods” 2016 (Publication no.: US-20160024669)
• Patents – Jackson, J. E.; Lam, C. H.; Saffron, C. M.; Miller, D. J. “Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation and Hydrodeoxygenation of Oxygenated and Unsaturated Organic Compounds” 2014 (Publication no.: US-20140110268)

Media Exposure

An interview with Hong Kong TVB Pearl to discuss the potential of biomass and yard waste in Hong Kong.
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWbUp5NaN-k&t=123s

An invited lecture by the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to discuss the application of biomass.

An interview with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) to discuss how biomass can promote HK’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality.