Creating a Better World Through Catalyst Research

“This isn’t science—it’s art.” The phrase is often heard inside Professor Sung’s PEEL (Photo & Electrochemical Energy Lab). Nano-catalyst research extends beyond designing theoretically perfect systems; it is an intricate field in which even subtle differences in the arrangement of particles can dramatically alter performance.
“To me, research is exploration. We begin with equal measures of anticipation and uncertainty, and when the results finally come together, the excitement is indescribable. Of course, there are also times when things do not go as planned. But research is ultimately a collective endeavor, so we endure those emotional highs and lows together as a team. That shared experience becomes the driving force that keeps us going through long and demanding experiments.”
At the heart of Professor Sung’s work are catalysts—substances that help chemical reactions overcome an “energy mountain” by lowering the barrier or creating shortcut pathways. One representative example is platinum, which has been a major focus of research since the early 2000s. Despite being regarded as one of the most powerful catalysts, platinum’s extraordinary efficiency has never been fully explained. Seeking answers, Professor Sung has spent years experimenting with different strategies, from shrinking platinum particles to combining them with other materials. These efforts eventually led to his 2020 study on hydrogen peroxide synthesis catalysts. Modeled after the structure of enzymes in the human body and further refined through scientific design, the hydrogen peroxide synthesis catalyst gained recognition as an environmentally friendly alternative to costly platinum catalysts.
“Many catalysts, including platinum, leave behind impurities that can pose environmental challenges. Hydrogen peroxide, by contrast, turns into water after use, greatly reducing such concerns. This is why it has found broad applications, from semiconductor manufacturing and paper bleaching to disinfectants formulated for direct contact with the human body.”

From Familiar Ambiguity to Clearer Insight

For all the practical technologies his research has produced, Professor Sung’s intellectual journey was rooted in ambiguity. At the center of it was a deceptively simple question: “If electrons are negatively charged, why is the other side called positive (+)?” As he delved deeper into his studies, he found that concepts he had taken for granted since childhood no longer felt self-evident. Where others might have brushed past the question without much thought, he stopped and lingered on it. That curiosity led him to electrochemistry, a field that at the time attracted little public attention. While many people shy away from seemingly difficult or complex subjects, Professor Sung wanted to gain a clearer grasp of them. In that light, his remark—“I didn’t enter electrochemistry because I initially found it intriguing, but the more I learned, the more compelling it became”—carries even greater weight.
This mindset became the foundation for Professor Sung’s commitment to a single discipline spanning more than three decades. At the same time, it allowed him to view changes in direction not as failures but as opportunities for personal and intellectual growth. One defining example was his decision, during his years studying in the United States, to leave Harvard University—a dream school for many—and continue his work at the University of Illinois.
“I spent two years at Harvard staring into an atomic force microscope, and I honestly found no joy in it. I tried to push through but eventually realized I simply couldn’t continue. Back then, I was overwhelmed by the fear that I might be failing in life. But looking back now, I believe it was the right decision. Even that experience has greatly shaped the way I see the nanoscale world around me today.”

A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) that converts hydrogen into electricity. The black central area contains platinum, a key material used in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Forging New Paths Through Patience and Collaboration

Professor Sung’s intellectual honesty in choosing a path he could truly understand has gained new relevance with the changing times. When he first began his research career, electrochemistry remained outside the scientific mainstream. Yet with the rise of lithium batteries and the rapid growth of the electric vehicle industry, the field has emerged as a key area of scientific research. Even so, Professor Sung remains cautious about placing too much faith in technological progress. “Not every problem can be explained through science,” he says firmly. In his view, the more influential machines and AI become, the more essential human relationships will be.
“In the end, research is really about the relationships you build with colleagues and friends. No problem can be solved through individual effort alone. The same principle applies to my students. Some of the most original and innovative ideas often come from younger researchers. My role is to create an environment where they can genuinely enjoy research while drawing on my own experiences, including many failures, to help them identify promising possibilities and refine their directions.”
Creative ideas shaped through collaboration can eventually move beyond the laboratory and become technologies that benefit society. And on that journey, perhaps the most essential quality is patience: the willingness to quietly endure the long process of verification and recognition.
“Rather than simply catching up with what others have already achieved, we now need to become ‘first movers’ who create new paths of our own. I truly believe we can do so. New ideas and pioneering research are inevitably met with skepticism and often rejected at first. For that reason, we must not lose heart but instead learn the value of patience. Even the Nobel Prize is awarded not simply for achieving better results but for opening paths that did not previously exist.”