Diagram of Solution-mediated discharge mechanismgroup photos

Engineering Catalysts for Sustainable Energy and Chemical Conversion

The Nikolla Research Group focuses on studying issues related to Thermocatalysis and Electrocatalysis for energy and chemical conversion and storage (e.g., fuel cells, electrolyzers, batteries, cooperative/selective heterogeneous catalysis for biomass conversion, chemical recycling of plastic waste, etc.). We address these issues by combining state-of-the-art synthesis techniques, characterization (i.e., electron microscopy and spectroscopy) and quantum density functional theory (DFT) chemical calculations.

Key Research Areas

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Engineering complex layered metal oxides for oxygen electrocatalysis
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H2O splitting and CO2 reduction using solid oxide electrolyzers
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Tuning solid-solid interfacial catalysis in alkali metal-air battery cathodes
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Design of multifunctional catalyst for selective catalysis

Most Recent Publications

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News @NikollaLab

April 2025

  • Don published a research article in ACS Nano with the Kotov and Kwabi groups. Congratulations!

March 2025

  • Jina collaborates with Prof.Leslie Gilliard-AbdulAziz’s lab at USC and publish their work in Chemistry of Materials! Congratulations!
  • The Nikolla Lab also welcomes Nadeesha Fernando as an undergraduate researcher!

February 2025

  • Over the past year, Professor Eranda Nikolla—working closely with fellow chemical engineering professors Bryan Goldsmith and Nirala Singh—has led an exhaustive effort to update and expand Scott Fogler’s seminal textbook, Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering, 7th Edition. Congratulations to Dr. Nikolla and her colleagues on this significant collective accomplishment!

January 2025

  • The Nikolla Lab welcomes Dr. Junhao Huang as a postdoctoral researcher in the Nikolla Lab!
  • Eranda contributed to a Nature Chemical Engineering feature on the future of chemical engineering, emphasizing the role of heterogeneous catalysts in sustainable energy!

December 2024

  • Michael and Rachel collaborate with the Christopher Research group at UCSB and publish their work in JACS. Congratulations!
  • Don successfully passes his TPE exam. Congratulations!

November 2024

October 2024

  • Kunal and Michael attend the 2024 AiChE conference at San Diego, California.
  • Klaertje, an undergraduate exchange student in the Nikolla Lab places first in a poster session in the Catalysis and Reaction Engineering II subdivision. Congratulations.

September 2024

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North Campus Research Complex, Building 28, 2109C