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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

41 - 60 of 108 works

2022

Journal Article

Influence of the anode buffer layer materials and the light radiation power on the efficiency of a planar p-i-n perovskite solar cell: theory and simulation

Farhadi, Bita, Zabihi, Fatemeh, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Lugoloobi, Ishaq and Liu, Aimin (2022). Influence of the anode buffer layer materials and the light radiation power on the efficiency of a planar p-i-n perovskite solar cell: theory and simulation. Journal of Photonics for Energy, 12 (1) 015503, 015503-015503. doi: 10.1117/1.jpe.12.015503

Influence of the anode buffer layer materials and the light radiation power on the efficiency of a planar p-i-n perovskite solar cell: theory and simulation

2022

Book Chapter

Fabrication techniques for wearable batteries

Marriam, Ifra, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Chathuranga, Hiran, Yang, Shengyuan and Yan, Cheng (2022). Fabrication techniques for wearable batteries. Smart and flexible energy devices. (pp. 397-415) Boca Raton, FL USA: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003186755-22

Fabrication techniques for wearable batteries

2022

Journal Article

Aggregation-induced emission molecules enable characterization of superhydrophobic coatings

Wang, Lijun, Wang, Lin, Yang, Xiansong, Li, Weili, Chen, Lizhuang, Tang, Jijun, Cong, Weiwei, Hu, Rong, Tebyetekerwa, Mike and Tang, Benzhong (2022). Aggregation-induced emission molecules enable characterization of superhydrophobic coatings. Progress in Organic Coatings, 163 106633, 106633. doi: 10.1016/j.porgcoat.2021.106633

Aggregation-induced emission molecules enable characterization of superhydrophobic coatings

2022

Journal Article

Progress in the development of solid-state electrolytes for reversible room-temperature sodium–sulfur batteries

Vineeth, S. K., Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Liu, Hanwen, Soni, Chhail Bihari, Sungjemmenla, , Zhao, X. S. and Kumar, Vipin (2022). Progress in the development of solid-state electrolytes for reversible room-temperature sodium–sulfur batteries. Materials Advances, 3 (16), 6415-6440. doi: 10.1039/d2ma00428c

Progress in the development of solid-state electrolytes for reversible room-temperature sodium–sulfur batteries

2021

Journal Article

Techniques enabling inorganic materials into wearable fiber/yarn and flexible lithium-ion batteries

Marriam, Ifra, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Xu, Zhen, Chathuranga, Hiran, Chen, Su, Chen, Hao, Zheng, Jun-Chao, Du, Aijun and Yan, Cheng (2021). Techniques enabling inorganic materials into wearable fiber/yarn and flexible lithium-ion batteries. Energy Storage Materials, 43, 62-84. doi: 10.1016/j.ensm.2021.08.039

Techniques enabling inorganic materials into wearable fiber/yarn and flexible lithium-ion batteries

2021

Journal Article

Investigation of gallium–boron spin‐on codoping for poly‐Si/SiOx passivating contacts

Truong, Thien N., Le, Tien T., Yan, Di, Phang, Sieu Pheng, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Young, Matthew, Al-Jassim, Mowafak, Cuevas, Andres, Macdonald, Daniel, Stuckelberger, Josua and Nguyen, Hieu T. (2021). Investigation of gallium–boron spin‐on codoping for poly‐Si/SiOx passivating contacts. Solar RRL, 5 (12) 2100653, 2170125. doi: 10.1002/solr.202100653

Investigation of gallium–boron spin‐on codoping for poly‐Si/SiOx passivating contacts

2021

Journal Article

Understanding electrochemical capacitors with in-situ techniques

Pal, Bhupender, Yasin, Amina, Kaur, Rupinder, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Zabihi, Fatemeh, Yang, Shengyuan, Yang, Chun-Chen, Sofer, Zděnek and Jose, Rajan (2021). Understanding electrochemical capacitors with in-situ techniques. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 149 111418, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111418

Understanding electrochemical capacitors with in-situ techniques

2021

Journal Article

Exploring the mechanism of self-stratifying coatings with aggregation-induced emission

Wang, Lin, Wang, Lijun, Wu, Jiming, Wang, Lei, Cong, Weiwei, Wang, Xiao, Hu, Rong, Li, Weili, Tebyetekerwa, Mike and Tang, Ben Zhong (2021). Exploring the mechanism of self-stratifying coatings with aggregation-induced emission. Progress in Organic Coatings, 159 106448, 106448. doi: 10.1016/j.porgcoat.2021.106448

Exploring the mechanism of self-stratifying coatings with aggregation-induced emission

2021

Journal Article

Extremely stretchable and healable ionic conductive hydrogels fabricated by surface competitive coordination for human-motion detection

Wang, Yufeng, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Liu, Ying, Wang, Meng, Zhu, Jixin, Xu, Jingsan, Zhang, Chao and Liu, Tianxi (2021). Extremely stretchable and healable ionic conductive hydrogels fabricated by surface competitive coordination for human-motion detection. Chemical Engineering Journal, 420 127637, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.127637

Extremely stretchable and healable ionic conductive hydrogels fabricated by surface competitive coordination for human-motion detection

2021

Journal Article

Janus hybrid sustainable all-cellulose nanofiber sponge for oil-water separation

Agaba, Aphra, Marriam, Ifra, Tebyetekerwa, Mike and Yuanhao, Wang (2021). Janus hybrid sustainable all-cellulose nanofiber sponge for oil-water separation. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 185, 997-1004. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.07.027

Janus hybrid sustainable all-cellulose nanofiber sponge for oil-water separation

2021

Journal Article

Twist-driven wide freedom of indirect interlayer exciton emission in MoS2/WS2 heterobilayers

Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Zhang, Jian, Saji, Sandra Elizabeth, Wibowo, Ary Anggara, Rahman, Sharidya, Truong, Thien N., Lu, Yuerui, Yin, Zongyou, Macdonald, Daniel and Nguyen, Hieu T. (2021). Twist-driven wide freedom of indirect interlayer exciton emission in MoS2/WS2 heterobilayers. Cell Reports Physical Science, 2 (8) 100509. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2021.100509

Twist-driven wide freedom of indirect interlayer exciton emission in MoS2/WS2 heterobilayers

2021

Journal Article

Homogenous metallic deposition regulated by defect-rich skeletons for sodium metal batteries

Xu, Zhen, Guo, Zhenyu, Madhu, Rajesh, Xie, Fei, Chen, Ruixuan, Wang, Jing, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Hu, Yong-Sheng and Titirici, Maria-Magdalena (2021). Homogenous metallic deposition regulated by defect-rich skeletons for sodium metal batteries. Energy and Environmental Science, 14 (12), 6381-6393. doi: 10.1039/d1ee01346g

Homogenous metallic deposition regulated by defect-rich skeletons for sodium metal batteries

2021

Journal Article

Contactless and Spatially Resolved Determination of Current−Voltage Curves in Perovskite Solar Cells via Photoluminescence

Bui, Anh Dinh, Mahmud, Md Arafat, Mozaffari, Naeimeh, Basnet, Rabin, Duong, The, Bartholazzi, Gabriel, Le, Tien T., Truong, Thien N., Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Wibowo, Ary, Weber, Klaus J., White, Thomas P., Catchpole, Kylie R., Macdonald, Daniel and Nguyen, Hieu T. (2021). Contactless and Spatially Resolved Determination of Current−Voltage Curves in Perovskite Solar Cells via Photoluminescence. Solar RRL, 5 (8) 2100348, 1-1. doi: 10.1002/solr.202170083

Contactless and Spatially Resolved Determination of Current−Voltage Curves in Perovskite Solar Cells via Photoluminescence

2021

Journal Article

Complementary bulk and surface passivations for highly efficient perovskite solar cells by gas quenching

Tang, Shi, Bing, Jueming, Zheng, Jianghui, Tang, Jianbo, Li, Yong, Mayyas, Mohannad, Cho, Yongyoon, Jones, Timothy W., Yang, Terry Chien-Jen, Yuan, Lin, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Nguyen, Hieu T., Nielsen, Michael P., Ekins-Daukes, N.J., Kalantar-Zadeh, Kourosh, Wilson, Gregory J., McKenzie, David R., Huang, Shujuan and Ho-Baillie, Anita W.Y. (2021). Complementary bulk and surface passivations for highly efficient perovskite solar cells by gas quenching. Cell Reports Physical Science, 2 (8) 100511. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2021.100511

Complementary bulk and surface passivations for highly efficient perovskite solar cells by gas quenching

2021

Journal Article

Circular economy and sustainability of the clothing and textile industry

Chen, Xuandong, Memon, Hifza A., Wang, Yuanhao, Marriam, Ifra and Tebyetekerwa, Mike (2021). Circular economy and sustainability of the clothing and textile industry. Materials Circular Economy, 3 (1) 12. doi: 10.1007/s42824-021-00026-2

Circular economy and sustainability of the clothing and textile industry

2021

Journal Article

Highly Stretchable and Reconfigurable Ionogels with Unprecedented Thermoplasticity and Ultrafast Self-Healability Enabled by Gradient-Responsive Networks

Wang, Yufeng, Liu, Ying, Plamthottam, Roshan, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Xu, Jingsan, Zhu, Jixin, Zhang, Chao and Liu, Tianxi (2021). Highly Stretchable and Reconfigurable Ionogels with Unprecedented Thermoplasticity and Ultrafast Self-Healability Enabled by Gradient-Responsive Networks. Macromolecules, 54 (8), 3832-3844. doi: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c00443

Highly Stretchable and Reconfigurable Ionogels with Unprecedented Thermoplasticity and Ultrafast Self-Healability Enabled by Gradient-Responsive Networks

2021

Journal Article

Highly Enhanced Light–Matter Interaction in MXene Quantum Dots–Monolayer WS2 Heterostructure

Neupane, Guru Prakash, Wang, Bowen, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Nguyen, Hieu T., Taheri, Mahdiar, Liu, Boqing, Nauman, Mudassar and Basnet, Rabin (2021). Highly Enhanced Light–Matter Interaction in MXene Quantum Dots–Monolayer WS2 Heterostructure. Small, 17 (11) 2006309, 1-10. doi: 10.1002/smll.202006309

Highly Enhanced Light–Matter Interaction in MXene Quantum Dots–Monolayer WS2 Heterostructure

2021

Journal Article

Vanadium-doped monolayer MoS2 with tunable optical properties for field-effect transistors

Zhang, Jian, Zhu, Yi, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Li, Delong, Liu, Dan, Lei, Weiwei, Wang, Lifeng, Zhang, Yupeng and Lu, Yuerui (2021). Vanadium-doped monolayer MoS2 with tunable optical properties for field-effect transistors. ACS Applied Nano Materials, 4 (1), 769-777. doi: 10.1021/acsanm.0c03083

Vanadium-doped monolayer MoS2 with tunable optical properties for field-effect transistors

2021

Journal Article

Nanoscale localized contacts for high fill factors in polymer-passivated perovskite solar cells

Peng, Jun, Walter, Daniel, Ren, Yuhao, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Wu, Yiliang, Duong, The, Lin, Qiaoling, Li, Juntao, Lu, Teng, Mahmud, Md Arafat, Lem, Olivier Lee Cheong, Zhao, Shenyou, Liu, Wenzhu, Liu, Yun, Shen, Heping, Li, Li, Kremer, Felipe, Nguyen, Hieu T., Choi, Duk-Yong, Weber, Klaus J., Catchpole, Kylie R. and White, Thomas P. (2021). Nanoscale localized contacts for high fill factors in polymer-passivated perovskite solar cells. Science, 371 (6527), 390-395. doi: 10.1126/science.abb8687

Nanoscale localized contacts for high fill factors in polymer-passivated perovskite solar cells

2020

Journal Article

Polyindole batteries and supercapacitors

Marriam, Ifra, Wang, Yuanhao and Tebyetekerwa, Mike (2020). Polyindole batteries and supercapacitors. Energy Storage Materials, 33, 336-359. doi: 10.1016/j.ensm.2020.08.010

Polyindole batteries and supercapacitors

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

    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

  • 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

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