(VOVworld) – Dr. Tran Dinh Phong of the Hanoi University of Science and Technology has published his research in the prestigious journal Natural Materials, with findings on the structure and mechanism of action of a catalyst that can replace platinum, an expensive material.  This research is a breakthrough in materials science.

Dr. Tran Dinh Phong (Photo: the Hanoi University of Science and Technology)

Dr. Tran Dinh Phong obtained his PhD in chemistry at the University of Paris 11, Orsay, France, in 2007. In 2015, he worked at Solar Fuels Laboratory at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University. During the time, he spent studying and working abroad, Phong actively attended workshops and met with scores of scientists, learning a great deal from them. That was also great opportunity for him to develop his passion for science. Mr. Phong said: “I was in charge of developing our research group. I hope to be able to build such research group with a laboratory in Vietnam, and to carry out research recognized by the world scientific community”.

After returning to Vietnam, Phong worked as a lecturer at the Department of Advanced Materials Science and Nanotechnology at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology. He has made great contributions to Vietnam’s science sector with research that has practical applications for daily life. Phong and his colleagues have revealed the structure and mechanistic function of amorphous molybdenum sulfide, an attractive alternative to platinum as a catalyst in the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction. The study was published in the world’s leading journal on materials science “Natural Materials”. Phong is also co-author of a number of articles in the world’s leading science magazines. Dr. Tran Viet Thu, a lecturer of the Vietnam Academy of Military Technology, who has worked with Dr.Tran Dinh Phong in a number of scientific research projects, said: “Dr. Phong has a great passion for scientific research, and he is really keen on great issues challenging world researchers. I hope that we will make great achievements in the world of science”.

Dr. Tran Dinh Phong also enthusiastically guides his students in conducting scientific research. He spends nearly all day at the university’s laboratory doing research and helping his students. Nguyen Nhat Linh, a student at the Department of Advanced Materials Science and Nanotechnology of the Hanoi University of Science and Technology, said: “Dr. Phong teaches us how to work independently and spend a lot of time reading, and studying documents. The most important thing is to grasp the basic knowledge first”.  

Duong Hong Phong, is another student from the Department of Advanced Materials Science and Nanotechnology: “I learn a lot from Dr. Phong. He has a professional working style, as he studied and worked abroad for many years. We also learn a lot of technical terms in English from him”.  

Dr. Phong said he would continue researching to find cheaper but more effective materials and apply material science and Nanotechnology to increase products’ values.