Solid-State Photoelectrochemistry and Photo-Rechargeable Batteries
I investigate photoelectrochemical reactions at semiconductor/solid-electrolyte interfaces and light-driven lithium-ion (de)intercalation for solar-energy conversion and storage.
KENTA WATANABE · RESEARCH
Exploring energy
at the intersection
of light and ions.
I study photoelectrochemical phenomena involving light, electrons, and ions within solid materials and at solid surfaces, solid–solid interfaces, and solid–liquid interfaces, and develop materials for solar-energy conversion and storage.
Kenta Watanabe Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, School of Materials and Chemical Technology
Institute of Science Tokyo
RESEARCH AREAS
Research
Interfaces and Microstructures in All-Solid-State Batteries
I study how composite-electrode microstructures and solid-electrolyte mechanical properties affect battery operation through operando microscopy and interface analysis.
Water-Splitting Photocatalysts and Artificial Photosynthesis
I develop metal-oxide photocatalysts that produce hydrogen and oxygen from water using sunlight, including band-structure-controlled materials and photocatalyst-electrolysis hybrid systems.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Selected Publications
Relationship Between Contact Resistance in e–-Conductive Pathways and Mechanical Properties of Active Materials in Microstructurally-Controlled Composite Electrodes for Sulfide All-Solid-State Batteries
3-Dimensional Conductive Pathways in Microstructure-Controlled Composite Cathodes for All-Solid-State Batteries
Batteries & Supercaps 2026, 9, e70321.
(selected as a front cover)
Self-Closing of Cracks Generated in Microstructure-Controlled 400 µm-Thick Composite Cathodes for All-Solid-State Batteries: Observed by In Situ Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy
Batteries & Supercaps 2025, 8, e202500119.
(selected as a front cover)
Stable Photoelectrochemical Reactions at Solid/Solid Interfaces toward Solar Energy Conversion and Storage
Nano Lett., 2024, 24, 1916–1922.
(selected as a supplementary cover)
Solar water splitting over Rh0.5Cr1.5O3-loaded AgTaO3 of a valence-band-controlled metal oxide photocatalyst
Chem. Sci., 2020, 11, 2330–2334.
(selected as an outside front cover, a 2020 Chemical Science HOT Article Collection, and a 2020 ChemSci Pick of the Week Collection)
PUBLICATION
Paper accepted by Batteries & Supercaps
Contact resistance and mechanical properties in microstructure-controlled composite electrodes for all-solid-state batteries.
RESEARCH FUNDING
Institute of Science Tokyo Asunaro Research Grant
Development and operating principles of a lithium-ion-deintercalating p-type semiconductor photoelectrode for all-solid-state electrochemical systems.
INVITED TALK
Materials Research Meeting 2025
Photoelectrochemical Reactions in All-Solid-State Systems toward Solar Energy Conversion and Storage