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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

81 - 100 of 108 works

2019

Journal Article

Solar Cells: Quantifying Quasi‐Fermi Level Splitting and Mapping its Heterogeneity in Atomically Thin Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (Adv. Mater. 25/2019)

Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Zhang, Jian, Liang, Kun, Duong, The, Neupane, Guru Prakash, Zhang, Linglong, Liu, Boqing, Truong, Thien N., Basnet, Rabin, Qiao, Xiaojing, Yin, Zongyou, Lu, Yuerui, Macdonald, Daniel and Nguyen, Hieu T. (2019). Solar Cells: Quantifying Quasi‐Fermi Level Splitting and Mapping its Heterogeneity in Atomically Thin Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (Adv. Mater. 25/2019). Advanced Materials, 31 (25) 1970180. doi: 10.1002/adma.201970180

Solar Cells: Quantifying Quasi‐Fermi Level Splitting and Mapping its Heterogeneity in Atomically Thin Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (Adv. Mater. 25/2019)

2019

Conference Publication

Predicting open-circuit voltages in atomically-thin monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides-based solar cells

Tebyetekerwa, Mike, MacDonald, Daniel and Nguyen, Hieu T. (2019). Predicting open-circuit voltages in atomically-thin monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides-based solar cells. Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), Chicago, IL, United States, 16-21 June 2019. Piscataway, NJ, United States: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. doi: 10.1109/PVSC40753.2019.8980641

Predicting open-circuit voltages in atomically-thin monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides-based solar cells

2019

Conference Publication

Luminescence from poly-Si films and its application to study passivating-contact solar cells

Nguyen, H. T., Truong, T. N., Yan, D., Samundsett, C., Basnet, R., Tebyetekerwa, M., Guthrey, H., Al-Jassim, M. M., Li, Z., Li, L., Kremer, F., Cuevas, A. and MacDonald, D. (2019). Luminescence from poly-Si films and its application to study passivating-contact solar cells. 2019 IEEE 46th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), Chicago, IL United States, 16-21 June 2019. Piscataway, NJ United States: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. doi: 10.1109/PVSC40753.2019.8980949

Luminescence from poly-Si films and its application to study passivating-contact solar cells

2019

Journal Article

Quantifying Quasi-Fermi Level Splitting and Mapping its Heterogeneity in Atomically Thin Transition Metal Dichalcogenides

Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Zhang, Jian, Liang, Kun, The Duong, , Neupane, Guru Prakash, Zhang, Linglong, Liu, Boqing, Truong, Thien N., Basnet, Rabin, Qiao, Xiaojing, Yin, Zongyou, Lu, Yuerui, Macdonald, Daniel and Nguyen, Hieu T. (2019). Quantifying Quasi-Fermi Level Splitting and Mapping its Heterogeneity in Atomically Thin Transition Metal Dichalcogenides. Advanced Materials, 31 (25) 1900522, 1-8. doi: 10.1002/adma.201900522

Quantifying Quasi-Fermi Level Splitting and Mapping its Heterogeneity in Atomically Thin Transition Metal Dichalcogenides

2019

Journal Article

Highly efficient photovoltaic energy storage hybrid system based on ultrathin carbon electrodes designed for a portable and flexible power source

Farhadi, Bita, Marriam, Ifra, Yang, Shengyuan, Zhang, Hui, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Zhu, Meifang, Ramakrishna, Seeram, Jose, Rajan and Zabihi, Fatemeh (2019). Highly efficient photovoltaic energy storage hybrid system based on ultrathin carbon electrodes designed for a portable and flexible power source. Journal of Power Sources, 422, 196-207. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2019.02.091

Highly efficient photovoltaic energy storage hybrid system based on ultrathin carbon electrodes designed for a portable and flexible power source

2019

Journal Article

“Stiff–Soft” Binary Synergistic Aerogels with Superflexibility and High Thermal Insulation Performance

Zhang, Junyan, Cheng, Yanhua, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Meng, Si, Zhu, Meifang and Lu, Yunfeng (2019). “Stiff–Soft” Binary Synergistic Aerogels with Superflexibility and High Thermal Insulation Performance. Advanced Functional Materials, 29 (15) 1806407, 1-11. doi: 10.1002/adfm.201806407

“Stiff–Soft” Binary Synergistic Aerogels with Superflexibility and High Thermal Insulation Performance

2019

Journal Article

Hydrogenation of phosphorus-doped polycrystalline silicon films for passivating contact solar cells

Truong, Thien N., Yan, Di, Samundsett, Christian, Basnet, Rabin, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Li, Li, Kremer, Felipe, Cuevas, Andres, Macdonald, Daniel and Nguyen, Hieu T. (2019). Hydrogenation of phosphorus-doped polycrystalline silicon films for passivating contact solar cells. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 11 (5), 5554-5560. doi: 10.1021/acsami.8b19989

Hydrogenation of phosphorus-doped polycrystalline silicon films for passivating contact solar cells

2019

Journal Article

Preparation of silica/polymer nanocomposites with aggregation-induced emission properties as fluorescent responsive coatings

Li, Weili, Qiu, Zhenyu, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Zhang, Jin, Wang, Yong, Gao, Tian, Wang, Jun, Ding, Yexing and Xie, Yixiao (2019). Preparation of silica/polymer nanocomposites with aggregation-induced emission properties as fluorescent responsive coatings. Progress in Organic Coatings, 127, 8-15. doi: 10.1016/j.porgcoat.2018.11.001

Preparation of silica/polymer nanocomposites with aggregation-induced emission properties as fluorescent responsive coatings

2019

Journal Article

Laponite-based nanomaterials for biomedical applications: a review

Das, Sabya S., Neelam, , Hussain, Kashif, Singh, Sima, Hussain, Afzal, Faruk, Abdul and Tebyetekerwa, Mike (2019). Laponite-based nanomaterials for biomedical applications: a review. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 25 (4), 424-433. doi: 10.2174/1381612825666190402165845

Laponite-based nanomaterials for biomedical applications: a review

2019

Journal Article

Perovskite solar cell-hybrid devices: thermoelectrically, electrochemically, and piezoelectrically connected power packs

Zabihi, Fatemeh, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Xu, Zhen, Ali, Aizaz, Kumi, Alex Kwasi, Zhang, Hui, Jose, Rajan, Ramakrishna, Seeram and Yang, Shengyuan (2019). Perovskite solar cell-hybrid devices: thermoelectrically, electrochemically, and piezoelectrically connected power packs. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 7 (47), 26661-26692. doi: 10.1039/c9ta08070h

Perovskite solar cell-hybrid devices: thermoelectrically, electrochemically, and piezoelectrically connected power packs

2018

Journal Article

Superior piezoresistive strain sensing behaviors of carbon nanotubes in one-dimensional polymer fiber structure

Yu, Senlong, Wang, Xingping, Xiang, Hengxue, Zhu, Liping, Tebyetekerwa, Mike and Zhu, Meifang (2018). Superior piezoresistive strain sensing behaviors of carbon nanotubes in one-dimensional polymer fiber structure. Carbon, 140, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2018.08.028

Superior piezoresistive strain sensing behaviors of carbon nanotubes in one-dimensional polymer fiber structure

2018

Journal Article

Sub-bandgap luminescence from doped polycrystalline and amorphous silicon films and its application to understanding passivating-contact solar cells

Nguyen, Hieu T., Liu, Anyao, Yan, Di, Guthrey, Harvey, Truong, Thien N., Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Li, Ziyuan, Li, Zhuofeng, Al-Jassim, Mowafak M., Cuevas, Andres and Macdonald, Daniel (2018). Sub-bandgap luminescence from doped polycrystalline and amorphous silicon films and its application to understanding passivating-contact solar cells. ACS Applied Energy Materials, 1 (11), 6619-6625. doi: 10.1021/acsaem.8b01561

Sub-bandgap luminescence from doped polycrystalline and amorphous silicon films and its application to understanding passivating-contact solar cells

2018

Journal Article

Precipitated silica agglomerates reinforced with cellulose nanofibrils as adsorbents for heavy metals

Agaba, Aphra, Cheng, Huan, Zhao, Jiangbin, Zhang, Congcong, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Rong, Liduo, Sui, Xiaofeng and Wang, Bijia (2018). Precipitated silica agglomerates reinforced with cellulose nanofibrils as adsorbents for heavy metals. RSC Advances, 8 (58), 33129-33137. doi: 10.1039/C8RA05611K

Precipitated silica agglomerates reinforced with cellulose nanofibrils as adsorbents for heavy metals

2018

Journal Article

Polyester@MXene nanofibers-based yarn electrodes

Shao, Wenyu, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Marriam, Ifra, Li, Weili, Wu, Yongzhi, Peng, Shengjie, Ramakrishna, Seeram, Yang, Shengyuan and Zhu, Meifang (2018). Polyester@MXene nanofibers-based yarn electrodes. Journal of Power Sources, 396, 683-690. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2018.06.084

Polyester@MXene nanofibers-based yarn electrodes

2018

Journal Article

Synergistic effect of CNT films impregnated with CNT modified epoxy solution towards boosted interfacial bonding and functional properties of the composites

Marriam, Ifra, Xu, Fujun, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Gao, Yang, Liu, Wei, Liu, Xiaohua and Qiu, Yiping (2018). Synergistic effect of CNT films impregnated with CNT modified epoxy solution towards boosted interfacial bonding and functional properties of the composites. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 110, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2018.04.011

Synergistic effect of CNT films impregnated with CNT modified epoxy solution towards boosted interfacial bonding and functional properties of the composites

2018

Journal Article

Water-based fluorescent paint: Presenting a novel approach to study and solve the aggregation caused quench (ACQ) effect in traditional fluorescent materials

Li, Weili, Wang, Jun, Xie, Yixiao, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Qiu, Zhenyu, Tang, Jijun, Yang, Shengyuan, Zhu, Meifang and Xu, Zexiao (2018). Water-based fluorescent paint: Presenting a novel approach to study and solve the aggregation caused quench (ACQ) effect in traditional fluorescent materials. Progress in Organic Coatings, 120, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.porgcoat.2018.03.003

Water-based fluorescent paint: Presenting a novel approach to study and solve the aggregation caused quench (ACQ) effect in traditional fluorescent materials

2018

Journal Article

Improved thermal and mechanical performance of ramie fibers reinforced poly(lactic acid) biocomposites via fiber surface modifications and composites thermal annealing

Debeli, Dereje Kebebew, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Hao, Jia, Jiao, Fengshuang and Guo, Jiansheng (2018). Improved thermal and mechanical performance of ramie fibers reinforced poly(lactic acid) biocomposites via fiber surface modifications and composites thermal annealing. Polymer Composites, 39 (S3), E1867-E1879. doi: 10.1002/pc.24844

Improved thermal and mechanical performance of ramie fibers reinforced poly(lactic acid) biocomposites via fiber surface modifications and composites thermal annealing

2018

Journal Article

Surface Self-Assembly of Functional Electroactive Nanofibers on Textile Yarns as a Facile Approach toward Super Flexible Energy Storage

Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Xu, Zhen, Li, Weili, Wang, Xingping, Marriam, Ifra, Peng, Shengjie, Ramkrishna, Seeram, Yang, Shengyuan and Zhu, Meifang (2018). Surface Self-Assembly of Functional Electroactive Nanofibers on Textile Yarns as a Facile Approach toward Super Flexible Energy Storage. ACS Applied Energy Materials, 1 (2), 377-386. doi: 10.1021/acsaem.7b00057

Surface Self-Assembly of Functional Electroactive Nanofibers on Textile Yarns as a Facile Approach toward Super Flexible Energy Storage

2018

Journal Article

Highly sensitive and stretchable piezoresistive strain sensor based on conductive poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene)/few layer graphene composite fiber

Wang, Xingping, Meng, Si, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Li, Yilong, Pionteck, Jürgen, Sun, Bin, Qin, Zongyi and Zhu, Meifang (2018). Highly sensitive and stretchable piezoresistive strain sensor based on conductive poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene)/few layer graphene composite fiber. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 105, 291-299. doi: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2017.11.027

Highly sensitive and stretchable piezoresistive strain sensor based on conductive poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene)/few layer graphene composite fiber

2018

Journal Article

Robust, hydrophilic graphene/cellulose nanocrystal fiber-based electrode with high capacitive performance and conductivity

Chen, Guoyin, Chen, Tao, Hou, Kai, Ma, Wujun, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Cheng, Yanhua, Weng, Wei and Zhu, Meifang (2018). Robust, hydrophilic graphene/cellulose nanocrystal fiber-based electrode with high capacitive performance and conductivity. Carbon, 127, 218-227. doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2017.11.012

Robust, hydrophilic graphene/cellulose nanocrystal fiber-based electrode with high capacitive performance and conductivity

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

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