Principal Research Scientist | Korea Institute of Science and Technology | South Korea
Dr. Sung Jong Yoo is a distinguished scientist and principal research leader at the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), widely recognized for his pioneering contributions to hydrogen energy, fuel cell systems, and advanced electrochemical materials. With extensive professional experience that spans roles from postdoctoral researcher to tenured principal research scientist and professor, Dr. Yoo has played a vital role in advancing sustainable energy research and national R&D initiatives. His research primarily focuses on in situ analysis of catalysts and electrode materials for fuel cells, electrochromic devices, and thin-film batteries using synchrotron-based X-ray techniques. He is also an expert in electrocatalyst design, transition metal oxide synthesis, and electrochemical performance optimization, integrating methodologies such as HR-XPS, XANES, EXAFS, and impedance spectroscopy. Dr. Yoo’s professional service includes significant editorial and leadership roles, such as associate editorships and board memberships in leading chemical and electrochemical societies, reflecting his commitment to advancing interdisciplinary scientific collaboration. His outstanding achievements have earned him numerous prestigious honors, including multiple KIST Awards of the Month, the KIST Grand Prize, Minister of Science and ICT Awards, the Korea Environmental Energy Award, and recognition in the National Top 100 R&D Performances. His impactful research has led to publications in high-impact journals such as Nature, Nature Communications, and Energy & Environmental Science, significantly influencing the global field of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Dr. Yoo’s sustained excellence in research, mentorship, and innovation positions him as a global leader driving the future of clean energy technologies and electrochemical materials science. He has achieved 12,878 citations, 330 documents , h-index: 60.
Featured Publications
Chung, D. Y., Jun, S. W., Yoon, G., Kwon, S. G., Shin, D. Y., Seo, P., Yoo, J. M., Shin, H., … & Yoo, S. J. (2015). Highly durable and active PtFe nanocatalyst for electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 137(49), 15478–15485. Citations: 681
Ryu, J., Jung, N., Jang, J. H., Kim, H. J., & Yoo, S. J. (2015). In situ transformation of hydrogen-evolving CoP nanoparticles: Toward efficient oxygen evolution catalysts bearing dispersed morphologies with Co-oxo/hydroxo molecular units. ACS Catalysis, 5(7), 4066–4074. Citations: 470
Chen, N., Wang, H. H., Kim, S. P., Kim, H. M., Lee, W. H., Hu, C., Bae, J. Y., Sim, E. S., … & Yoo, S. J. (2021). Poly (fluorenyl aryl piperidinium) membranes and ionomers for anion exchange membrane fuel cells. Nature Communications, 12(1), 2367. Citations: 409
Jung, N., Chung, D. Y., Ryu, J., Yoo, S. J., & Sung, Y. E. (2014). Pt-based nanoarchitecture and catalyst design for fuel cell applications. Nano Today, 9(4), 433–456. Citations: 371
Chung, D. Y., Ham, H. C., & Yoo, S. J. (2014). Edge-exposed MoS₂ nano-assembled structures as efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction. Nanoscale, 6(4), 2131–2136. Citations: 322
Dr. Yoo’s research advances global sustainability through breakthroughs in hydrogen energy and fuel cell efficiency, directly contributing to carbon-neutral energy systems and clean technology innovation. His visionary work bridges fundamental electrochemistry with real-world energy solutions, driving progress in scientific discovery, industry transformation, and environmental sustainability worldwide.