A research article led by Master's student Loh Chee Yan from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering (SECE), Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM), has been published in Journal of Materials Chemistry A (JMCA), an SCIE Q1 journal with a latest Impact Factor of 9.2. The research was conducted under the supervision of Asst. Prof. Dr. Ng Boon Junn, with Prof. Dr. Tan Swee Tiam as a co-author.

The research was also selected for the JMCA Emerging Investigators 2027 collection and featured on the journal's Outside Back Cover, highlighting its contribution to sustainable energy research.

Cover art featuring the research by Loh Chee Yan, Asst. Prof. Dr. Ng Boon Junn and Prof. Dr. Tan Swee Tiam in JMCA Emerging Investigators 2027 collection.

The article, entitled "Nanostructured MBene-MOF with interfacial dual active sites for bifunctional electrocatalysis toward coupled ammonia production and glycerol oxidation"", explores an innovative approach to sustainable ammonia production while addressing environmental pollution and promoting the conversion of waste-derived feedstocks into valuable chemicals. 

As a promising hydrogen carrier, ammonia offers advantages for hydrogen storage and transportation. To advance sustainable ammonia production, the research team developed a nanostructured electrocatalyst integrating FeB MBene with cobalt-based metal organic framework (MOF), creating complementary active sites for nitrate reduction towards ammonia. 

By coupling nitrate reduction with glycerol oxidation, a major by-product of biodiesel production, the study offers a promising approach to improving energy efficiency while integrating wastewater remediation and sustainable chemical production.

The full article is available at: https://doi.org/10.1039/d6ta04055a

This work was financially supported by Malaysia Toray Science Foundation (MTSF) under the Science & Technology Research Grant (Ref. No.: 250526STRG0106) and Xiamen University Malaysia under the Xiamen University Malaysia Research Fund (Ref. No.: XMUM/2024-C14/IENG/0071). 

Dr. Ng Boon Junn received his PhD degree in Chemical Engineering from Monash University Malaysia. He is an Assistant Professor at the SECE, XMUM.  His research interests include Photocatalysis, Electrocatalysis, Green Fuel Production, Solar Energy Conversion, Nanomaterials.