Yeungnam University Chemistry Students Recognized for International-Level Research Capability

Senior Chemistry Students Jang Dowon and Kim Younghwon Publish Papers in Leading International Journals
Recognized for Global Research Excellence with Outstanding Publications Every Year

Undergraduate students at Yeungnam University announced on the 21st that they have published papers as first authors in internationally renowned academic journals.

(Photo from left) Jang Dowon and Kim Younghwon, students of the Department of Chemistry, Yeungnam University. Photo by Yeungnam University

Chemistry students at Yeungnam University have been recognized internationally for their research capabilities by publishing papers in international journals every year.

Jang Dowon and Kim Younghwon, senior students in the Department of Chemistry, published papers as first authors in the internationally renowned journals Surfaces and Interfaces (IF 6.2, published on December 1, 2024) and Applied Materials Today (IF 7.2, published on February 1, 2025), respectively. Their research proposed innovative technologies to address environmental issues and sustainable energy production, receiving high evaluations not only for academic achievements but also for practical applicability.

Student Jang Dowon conducted research on developing a photocatalyst that uses light to remove phenol, a harmful substance in water, while simultaneously producing eco-friendly hydrogen energy. This photocatalyst demonstrated excellent performance by completely removing phenol within 6 hours and producing 680 μmol of hydrogen per gram, maintaining stability without performance degradation even after multiple uses. The study highlighted this technology as an innovative solution for a sustainable future by proving its effectiveness in both environmental purification and renewable energy production.

Student Kim Younghwon presented research results on a new composite material that produces hydrogen energy using light while simultaneously eliminating bacteria. This composite material combines silver nanoparticles, zinc oxide (ZnO), and reduced graphene oxide, showing outstanding performance by producing 840 μmol of hydrogen per gram over 10 hours under light exposure and removing more than 90% of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli. This research was evaluated as proposing a practical technology that can simultaneously solve energy production and environmental problems.

Professor Kang Misook of the Department of Chemistry at Yeungnam University, who supervised the two students, said, “The research by Jang Dowon and Kim Younghwon is significant not only for its academic achievements but also for presenting practical methods to solve environmental and energy issues.”

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