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Dr Mike Tebyetekerwa
Dr

Mike Tebyetekerwa

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Overview

Background

Dr Tebyetekerwa is an ARC DECRA Fellow and Sub-Group Leader at UQ Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation and ARC Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide(GETCO2), working with Professor Xiwang Zhang. His current main research interests at UQ School of Chemical Engineering rotate around water and electrochemical systems such as electrochemical CO2 capture and conversion to valuable chemicals and electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide and/or hydrogen. He is deeply interested in designing scalable and industry-relevant chemical cells and generators. He completed his PhD from The Australian National University (ANU), where his research focused on optical spectroscopy and advanced characterization of semiconducting materials and their devices (Supervised by Prof Dan Macdonald, A/Prof. Dr. Hieu T. Nguyen and Prof. Yuerui (Larry) Lu). Dr Tebyetekerwa also holds a Master's in Materials Processing Engineering from Donghua University, Shanghai, where his research focused on fibrous materials for flexible energy storage (Supervised by Academician Meifang Zhu and A/Prof Shengyuan Yang). Mike supervises projects for undergraduate, master's, and PhD students on topics related to the following research interests;

  1. Scalable electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide and/or hydrogen from water*
  2. Scalable electrochemical CO2 capture and reduction to valuable chemicals*
  3. Reconstructed graphite for sodium-ion batteries
  4. High surface area electrospun fibre materials for various applications
  5. Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) molecules and their engineered applications
  6. Light-matter understanding of 2D materials and other semiconductor materials for optoelectronics*

*Currently funded and active ongoing projects

Featured works

In addition to his research, Mike lectures Sustainable Energy Technologies and Supply Systems (ENGY7000) course as part of the Master of Sustainable Energy (MSE) program.

Availability

Dr Mike Tebyetekerwa is:
Not available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Doctoral (Research) of Engineering, Australian National University

Research interests

  • Electrochemical CO2 Capture and reduction to valuable chemicals.

    My research in this space heavily leans on using water and electricity to capture CO2. Fully funded in 2024 by ARC ($412,037), this project on electrochemical CO2 capture aims to improve the capture capacity for CO2 by first understanding the underlying mechanisms. At the end of the project, more energy-efficient CO2 devices built for use at different scales are expected to be possible. See more: Tebyetekerwa et al. Adv. Energy Mater. 2024, 14, 2400625.

  • Electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide.

    Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most commonly used chemicals in the world. Despite its widespread use, its traditional production method—the anthraquinone process—is indirect, energy-intensive, and not environmentally friendly. My research aims to find and optimise electrochemical hydrogen peroxide production via the so-called two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e-ORR) or two-electron water oxidation reaction (2e-WOR).

  • Light-matter interactions in low-dimension 2D transition-metal dichalcogenides and other semiconductors

    My work in this space involves mainly utilising optical spectroscopy, such as steady-state micro-photoluminescence, time-resolved photoluminescence, and absorbance/transmission spectroscopy, to study semiconductors (mainly 2D materials, Silicon, and Perovskites) and understand their light-matter interaction properties. This can help uncover and predict their properties in devices such as solar cells, transistors, LEDs, and related devices. See more: Tebyetekerwa et al ACS Nano, 14 (2020) 14579-14604.

  • Functional fiber materials for energy and environment

    Traditionally, textile fibers are used for clothing, upholstery, and insulation in homes, offices, and industries due to their insulating properties derived from pure insulating polymers. However, this is changing rapidly. My work in this area of research involves the incorporation of nanomaterials into fibers for new functional properties to expand their use in several other industries, such as automotive, electronics, energy, water purification, construction, agro-food sectors, and more. See more: Tebyetekerwa et al. Energy Environ. Sci., 12 (2019) 2148-2160. Tebyetekerwa et al , Matter, 2 (2020) 279-283.

  • Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) molecules and their applications

    Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) molecules are a relatively new class of materials known to have the so-called molecular rotors in their structures. These rotors can be restricted or left to rotate as they wish. The extent of their restriction gives them unique properties, making them suitable for a wide range of applications, such as molecular machines, sensors, photodetectors, LEDs, paints, solar concentrators, and more. My research direction involves studying their possible applications in various fields. See more: Tebyetekerwa et al, ACS Nano, 14 (2020) 7444-7453.

Research impacts

In 2023, Mike was awarded an ARC DECRA fellowship (commenced in 2024), which is one of the country's most competitive fellowships for early career researchers. His ARC DECRA fellowship aims to develop new electrochemical carbon capture technology. Mike's research on fibers, AIEgens, 2D materials, and other semiconducting materials has been widely recognized and published in leading peer-reviewed journals such as Science, Advanced Materials, Energy and Environmental Science, and ACS Nano. His work focuses on solving global energy and environmental issues and has resulted in groundbreaking discoveries. Some of his notable achievements include quantifying the maximum open-circuit voltage that can be achieved by a 2D monolayer solar cell (Advanced Materials), contributing to the first certified 21.6% efficiency in perovskite solar cells larger than one square centimeter (Science), and proposing a new method for measuring fiber/wearable battery performance (Energy and Environmental Science). Mike's work has also received extensive media coverage, having been featured by over 60 media channels worldwide.

Some International Media Releases.

  • 04/2024:GETCO2 Nanogenerator turns CO2 into Sustainable Power. ABC News, Brisbane Times, UQ News, GETCo2, etc
  • 08/2023: ARC supports UQ research and innovation-UQ News
  • 08/2021: Twist brings new possibilities for ultra-thin 2D materials - ANU, The Graphene Council, Physics.org, etc
  • 01/2021: New study reveals secrets to solar success (a world-record perovskite solar cell) - ANU, Renew Economy, etc
  • 08/2020: Notable mentions in CECS's 2020 Remote Teaching and Student Experience awards for exceptional support to the convenor and students in course ENG4524/ENGN6524 Photovoltaic Technologies
  • 05/2019: Scientists unlock the potential of ultra-thin 2D materials - ANU, CECS ANU, 2CC Radio Canberra Weekender, Physics.org, Opli, etc.
  • 02/2019: What lies in the future of fibre materials and devices - DHU, China News, etc

Works

Search Professor Mike Tebyetekerwa’s works on UQ eSpace

108 works between 2017 and 2025

21 - 40 of 108 works

2023

Journal Article

Self-stratifying coating enables facile fabrication of robust superhydrophobic sponges for oil-water mixture separation

Xu, Lingxiang, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Zhang, Jian, Hu, Chen, Wang, Xiaomei, Bai, Yang, Zhao, Zhenbai, Ma, Yong, Chen, Yong and Li, Weili (2023). Self-stratifying coating enables facile fabrication of robust superhydrophobic sponges for oil-water mixture separation. Progress in Organic Coatings, 183 107705, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.porgcoat.2023.107705

Self-stratifying coating enables facile fabrication of robust superhydrophobic sponges for oil-water mixture separation

2023

Journal Article

Hybrid alkali salt catalysts‐promoted CVD growth of 2D MoSe2–WSe2 and WSe2–MoSe2 lateral heterostructures

Wibowo, Ary Anggara, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Bui, Anh Dinh, Truong, Thien N., Saji, Sandra, Kremer, Felipe, Yang, Zhongshu, Yin, Zongyou, Lu, Yuerui, Macdonald, Daniel and Nguyen, Hieu T. (2023). Hybrid alkali salt catalysts‐promoted CVD growth of 2D MoSe2–WSe2 and WSe2–MoSe2 lateral heterostructures. Advanced Materials Technologies, 8 (15) 2300143. doi: 10.1002/admt.202300143

Hybrid alkali salt catalysts‐promoted CVD growth of 2D MoSe2–WSe2 and WSe2–MoSe2 lateral heterostructures

2023

Journal Article

Electrocapacitive Deionization: Mechanisms, Electrodes, and Cell Designs

Sun, Kaige, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Wang, Chao, Wang, Xianfen, Zhang, Xiwang and Zhao, Xiu Song (2023). Electrocapacitive Deionization: Mechanisms, Electrodes, and Cell Designs. Advanced Functional Materials, 33 (18) 2213578, 1-33. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202213578

Electrocapacitive Deionization: Mechanisms, Electrodes, and Cell Designs

2023

Journal Article

Few-layer MoS2 nanosheets with and without silicon nanoparticles as anodes for lithium-ion batteries

Marriam, Ifra, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Chen, Hao, Chathuranga, Hiran, Motta, Nunzio, Alarco, Jose A., He, Zhenjiang, Zheng, Junchao, Du, Aijun and Yan, Cheng (2023). Few-layer MoS2 nanosheets with and without silicon nanoparticles as anodes for lithium-ion batteries. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 11 (6), 2670-2678. doi: 10.1039/d2ta08886j

Few-layer MoS2 nanosheets with and without silicon nanoparticles as anodes for lithium-ion batteries

2023

Journal Article

Interface challenges and optimization strategies for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Liu, Hanwen, Zhou, Qianqin, Xia, Qingbing, Lei, Yaojie, Long Huang, Xiang, Tebyetekerwa, Mike and Song Zhao, Xiu (2023). Interface challenges and optimization strategies for aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Journal of Energy Chemistry, 77, 642-659. doi: 10.1016/j.jechem.2022.11.028

Interface challenges and optimization strategies for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

2023

Book Chapter

Uganda textile education and industry: the current status and investment opportunities

Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Mugaanire, Innocent Tendo and Yang, Shengyuan (2023). Uganda textile education and industry: the current status and investment opportunities. Quality education and international partnership for textile and fashion: hidden potentials of East Africa. (pp. 93-119) edited by Xinfeng Yan, Lihong Chen and Hafeezullah Memon. Singapore, Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-99-1320-6_5

Uganda textile education and industry: the current status and investment opportunities

2022

Journal Article

Electrospun biomedical nanofibers and their future as intelligent biomaterials

Lugoloobi, Ishaq, Yuanhao, Wang, Marriam, Ifra, Hu, Jinming, Tebyetekerwa, Mike and Ramakrishna, Seeram (2022). Electrospun biomedical nanofibers and their future as intelligent biomaterials. Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering, 24 100418, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cobme.2022.100418

Electrospun biomedical nanofibers and their future as intelligent biomaterials

2022

Journal Article

Simulations of lead-free organic–inorganic perovskites under tensile/compressive loads and different force fields

Farhadi, Bita, Zabihi, Fatemeh, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Lugoloobi, Ishaq, Omidi, Mohammad and Liu, Aimin (2022). Simulations of lead-free organic–inorganic perovskites under tensile/compressive loads and different force fields. Molecular Physics, 121 (1) e2150704. doi: 10.1080/00268976.2022.2150704

Simulations of lead-free organic–inorganic perovskites under tensile/compressive loads and different force fields

2022

Journal Article

High-luminescence and submillimeter-scale MoS2 monolayer growth using combinational phase precursors via chemical vapor deposition

Wibowo, Ary Anggara, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Bui, Anh Dinh, Kremer, Felipe, Saji, Sandra, Yin, Zongyou, Lu, Yuerui, Macdonald, Daniel and Nguyen, Hieu T. (2022). High-luminescence and submillimeter-scale MoS2 monolayer growth using combinational phase precursors via chemical vapor deposition. ACS Applied Electronic Materials, 4 (10), 5072-5080. doi: 10.1021/acsaelm.2c01162

High-luminescence and submillimeter-scale MoS2 monolayer growth using combinational phase precursors via chemical vapor deposition

2022

Journal Article

Twist angle effects on the absorbance, carrier lifetime, and diffusion properties in low dimension Type‐II MoS 2 /WS 2  heterobilayers

Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Truong, Thien N., Yan, Wei, Tang, Cheng, Wibowo, Ary Anggara, Bullock, James, Du, Aijun, Yan, Cheng, Macdonald, Daniel and Nguyen, Hieu T. (2022). Twist angle effects on the absorbance, carrier lifetime, and diffusion properties in low dimension Type‐II MoS 2 /WS 2  heterobilayers. Advanced Materials Interfaces, 9 (34) 2201649, 2201649. doi: 10.1002/admi.202201649

Twist angle effects on the absorbance, carrier lifetime, and diffusion properties in low dimension Type‐II MoS 2 /WS 2  heterobilayers

2022

Journal Article

Rechargeable dual‐carbon batteries: a sustainable battery technology

Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Duignan, Timothy T., Xu, Zhen and Zhao, Xiu Song (2022). Rechargeable dual‐carbon batteries: a sustainable battery technology. Advanced Energy Materials, 12 (44) 2202450, 1-34. doi: 10.1002/aenm.202202450

Rechargeable dual‐carbon batteries: a sustainable battery technology

2022

Journal Article

Magnesium/lithium hybrid batteries based on SnS2-MoS2 with reversible conversion reactions

Fan, Xin, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Wu, Yilan, Gaddam, Rohit Ranganathan and Zhao, Xiu Song (2022). Magnesium/lithium hybrid batteries based on SnS2-MoS2 with reversible conversion reactions. Energy Material Advances, 2022 9846797, 1-14. doi: 10.34133/2022/9846797

Magnesium/lithium hybrid batteries based on SnS2-MoS2 with reversible conversion reactions

2022

Journal Article

Origin of excellent charge storage properties of defective tin disulphide in magnesium/lithium-ion hybrid batteries

Fan, Xin, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Wu, Yilan, Gaddam, Rohit Ranganathan and Zhao, Xiu Song (2022). Origin of excellent charge storage properties of defective tin disulphide in magnesium/lithium-ion hybrid batteries. Nano-Micro Letters, 14 (1) 177, 177. doi: 10.1007/s40820-022-00914-5

Origin of excellent charge storage properties of defective tin disulphide in magnesium/lithium-ion hybrid batteries

2022

Journal Article

Extraordinary nonlinear optical interaction from strained nanostructures in van der Waals CuInP2S6

Rahman, Sharidya, Yildirim, Tanju, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Khan, Ahmed Raza and Lu, Yuerui (2022). Extraordinary nonlinear optical interaction from strained nanostructures in van der Waals CuInP2S6. ACS Nano, 16 (9), 13959-13968. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.2c03294

Extraordinary nonlinear optical interaction from strained nanostructures in van der Waals CuInP2S6

2022

Journal Article

Electrocapacitive desalination with nitrogen-doped hierarchically structured carbon prepared using a sustainable salt-template method

Sun, Kaige, Wang, Chao, Tebyetekerwa, Mike and Zhao, Xiu Song (2022). Electrocapacitive desalination with nitrogen-doped hierarchically structured carbon prepared using a sustainable salt-template method. Chemical Engineering Journal, 446 137211, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.137211

Electrocapacitive desalination with nitrogen-doped hierarchically structured carbon prepared using a sustainable salt-template method

2022

Journal Article

All room-temperature synthesis, N2 photofixation and reactivation over 2D cobalt oxides

Lu, Haijiao, Zhao, Yi-Ming, Saji, Sandra Elizabeth, Yin, Xinmao, Wibowo, Ary, Tang, Chi Sin, Xi, Shibo, Cao, Pengfei, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Liu, Borui, Heggen, Marc, Dunin-Borkowski, Rafal E., Tricoli, Antonio, Wee, Andrew T.S., Nguyen, Hieu T., Yan, Qing-Bo and Yin, Zongyou (2022). All room-temperature synthesis, N2 photofixation and reactivation over 2D cobalt oxides. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 304 121001, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2021.121001

All room-temperature synthesis, N2 photofixation and reactivation over 2D cobalt oxides

2022

Journal Article

Synthesis of Carbon-Modified Cobalt Disphosphide as Anode for Sodium-Ion Storage

Hu, Zhe, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Elkholy, Ayman E., Xia, Qingbing, Hussain, Tanveer, Liu, Hanwen and Zhao, Xiu Song (2022). Synthesis of Carbon-Modified Cobalt Disphosphide as Anode for Sodium-Ion Storage. Electrochimica Acta, 423 140611, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.electacta.2022.140611

Synthesis of Carbon-Modified Cobalt Disphosphide as Anode for Sodium-Ion Storage

2022

Journal Article

Interfacing transition metal dichalcogenides with chromium germanium telluride quantum dots for controllable light-matter interactions

Zhang, Jian, Tebyetekerwa, Mike and Nguyen, Hieu T. (2022). Interfacing transition metal dichalcogenides with chromium germanium telluride quantum dots for controllable light-matter interactions. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 611, 432-440. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.12.131

Interfacing transition metal dichalcogenides with chromium germanium telluride quantum dots for controllable light-matter interactions

2022

Journal Article

Natural and industrial wastes for sustainable and renewable polymer composites

Das, Oisik, Babu, Karthik, Shanmugam, Vigneshwaran, Sykam, Kesavarao, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Neisiany, Rasoul Esmaeely, Försth, Michael, Sas, Gabriel, Gonzalez-Libreros, Jaime, Capezza, Antonio J., Hedenqvist, Mikael S., Berto, Filippo and Ramakrishna, Seeram (2022). Natural and industrial wastes for sustainable and renewable polymer composites. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 158 112054, 1-22. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.112054

Natural and industrial wastes for sustainable and renewable polymer composites

2022

Journal Article

The role of hydrothermal carbonization in sustainable sodium‐ion battery anodes

Xu, Zhen, Wang, Jing, Guo, Zhenyu, Xie, Fei, Liu, Haoyu, Yadegari, Hossein, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Ryan, Mary P., Hu, Yong‐Sheng and Titirici, Maria‐Magdalena (2022). The role of hydrothermal carbonization in sustainable sodium‐ion battery anodes. Advanced Energy Materials, 12 (18) 2200208, 2200208. doi: 10.1002/aenm.202200208

The role of hydrothermal carbonization in sustainable sodium‐ion battery anodes

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2027
    New electrodes for green electrochemical carbon dioxide capture
    ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2023
    Visual water quality monitoring using aggregation-induced emission luminogens
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Dr Mike Tebyetekerwa is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Master Philosophy

    Engineering and Design of Industry-Relevant Hydrogen Peroxide Electrolyser and Generator

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Xiwang Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Advanced membrane electrolysers for CO2 electroreduction

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Xiwang Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Materials for electrochemical CO2 capture

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Lei Ge, Professor Xiwang Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Utilising co-products of water electrolysis in wastewater treatment

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Tom Rufford, Dr Ray Bi, Professor Xiwang Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Engineering Surface Oxygen Reduction Reaction in 2D Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Peroxide Production

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Xiangkang Zeng, Professor Xiwang Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Rational design of semiconductors for light-driven hydrogen peroxide production

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Xiangkang Zeng, Professor Xiwang Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Exploring lignocellulose-derived nanomaterials in CO2 electrochemical conversion

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Xiwang Zhang, Professor Darren Martin

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Nanoengineered MXene-based electrode materials for capacitive deionization

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Xiwang Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Enhanced approaches to engineering the scale-up of CO2 electrolysers from bench to pilot scale

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Xiwang Zhang, Professor Tom Rufford

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Enzyme-assisted deconstruction of lignocellulose and reconstruction into high value bio-derived advanced materials

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen, Professor Darren Martin

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Tailoring local interfacial environments for efficient electrochemical ion separation and carbon capture

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Xiwang Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    2D transition metal phosphide nanomaterials for H2 production

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Xiwang Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Nanoengineered MXene-based electrode materials for capacitive deionization

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Xiwang Zhang

Media

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Dr Mike Tebyetekerwa's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au