
Overview
Background
Prof. Dr Zhigang Chen is currently an Honorary Professor in the School of Mechanical & Mining Engineering, the University of Queensland, and a founding director for the ARC Research Hub in Zero-emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality (ZeroPC), ARC Future Fellow, Academic Reseach Lead, and a Capacity Building Professor of Energy Materials at the School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Dr Chen received his PhD from the Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2008 under the supervision of Professor Hui-Ming Cheng, and Professor Gaoqing (Max) Lu. His research focuses on thermoelectrics for power generation and cooling; next-generation optoelectronic devices and functional System; topological insulators for next-generation chips; and high-speed sensors. In total, Dr Chen received ~A$40,000,000 in research grants to support the research, including one prestigious UQ postdoctoral fellowship (2009), ARC APD Fellowship (2009), five ARC Discovery Grants (four as lead CI, one as ARC APD fellowship, and one as ARC Future Fellowship), two ARC Research hub, four ARC Linkage Grant (one as lead CI), four ARC LIEF Grant, >10 Industry Investments (eight as sole CI), two Queensland Smart Futures Funds (sole CI), and >10 University Grants. Currently, Dr Chen is leading one ARC Research Hub, two ARC discovery projects, one sub project at ARC Research Hub, one ARC Linkage project, and four industry investments. Dr Chen is one Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (Top 0.1% researcher in the world). He has authored over 330 high-impact journal publications including 1 Nature Energy, 1 Nature Nanotechnology; 3 Nature Communications; 1 Chemical Reviews; 2 Progress in Materials Science; 4 Energy & Environmental Science; 1 Joule; 11 Advanced Materials; and 4 Journal of the American Chemical Society. These publications have attracted >35000 times (Scopus, www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57188708630) and an H index of 70. His google scholar citation is >25,000 with an H index of 100 (https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=vkRX_vgAAAAJ&hl=en). Particularly, in the last three years, Dr Chen has published more than 40 articles per year and attracted over 5,000 citations per year. Dr Chen has delivered over 50 plenary/keynote/invited talks in the international/national conferences. Dr Chen has authored four commercialized patents, which have been attracted industry investments.
Availability
- Honorary Professor Zhi-Gang Chen is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Chinese Academy of Science
Research interests
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Design inexpensive, abundant, low-toxic and high-efficiency thermoelectric nanomaterials
Thermoelectric materials directly convert thermal energy into electrical energy, offering a green and sustainable solution for the global energy dilemma. This proposal aims to develop inexpensive, abundant, and low-toxic thermoelectric nanomaterials for high-efficiency energy conversion using novel industry-level approach, coupled with nanostructure and band engineering strategies.
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Topological Insulators
High-Speed Hard Drive: Topological Insulators Open a Path to Room-Temperature Spintronics
Research impacts
Thermoelectric materials for power generation and cooling
Identifying new approaches to develop energy-saving methods and tap into new renewable energy sources is set to be the greatest challenge of the 21st Century. Thermoelectric (TE) energy is one of the approaches that offers great promise as it can be used in multiple applications for power generation and refrigeration. It can create electricity from waste heat at any scale, it can significantly improve energy efficiency at a medium industrial scale, including significantly improving vehicular weight and emissions, and it can even generate electricity or cooling at the nanoscale. For instance, it could potentially be used to convert body heat into electricity in clothing or to charge a cell phone. The thermoelecric materials developed by Dr Chen have extremely high hopes for this technology.
Topological insulators for high speed chips
Imagine if the "information superhighway" had HOV lanes so that data could be stored, processed and disseminated many times faster than possible with today's electronics. New topological insulators developed by Dr Chen will be used for this new generation devices, such a speedway for future devices, an exotic type of electrical conductor.
Works
Search Professor Zhi-Gang Chen’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Advances and Challenges in SnTe-Based Thermoelectrics
Wang, Lijun, Moshwan, Raza, Yuan, Ningyi, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Shi, Xiao-Lei (2025). Advances and Challenges in SnTe-Based Thermoelectrics. Advanced Materials, 37 (10) 2418280. doi: 10.1002/adma.202418280
2025
Journal Article
Molybdenum Single-Atom Solid-Acid Catalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in the Alkaline Electrolyte
Yang, Guang, Zhang, Chunyu, Chen, Zhigang, Wang, Juan, Gao, Guoliang, Li, Zhiyun, Huang, Rong and Cui, Yi (2025). Molybdenum Single-Atom Solid-Acid Catalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in the Alkaline Electrolyte. ACS Catalysis, 15 (3), 2270-2281. doi: 10.1021/acscatal.4c05602
2024
Journal Article
High‐performance GeSe‐based thermoelectrics via Cu‐doping
Zhang, Min, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Mao, Yuanqing, Li, Meng, Moshwan, Raza, Cao, Tianyi, Chen, Wenyi, Yin, Liangcao, Lyu, Wanyu, Chen, Yongqi, Liu, Siqi, Liu, Wei‐Di, Liu, Qingfeng, Tang, Guihua and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2024). High‐performance GeSe‐based thermoelectrics via Cu‐doping. Advanced Functional Materials, 34 (52) 2411054. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202411054
2024
Journal Article
Hydrogel‐based functional materials for thermoelectric applications: progress and perspectives
Zhang, Chenyang, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Liu, Qingyi and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2024). Hydrogel‐based functional materials for thermoelectric applications: progress and perspectives. Advanced Functional Materials, 34 (51) 2410127. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202410127
2024
Journal Article
Nanobinders advance screen-printed flexible thermoelectrics
Chen, Wenyi, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Li, Meng, Liu, Ting, Mao, Yuanqing, Liu, Qingyi, Dargusch, Matthew, Zou, Jin, Lu, Gao Qing (Max) and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2024). Nanobinders advance screen-printed flexible thermoelectrics. Science, 386 (6727), 1265-1271. doi: 10.1126/science.ads5868
2024
Journal Article
Advances and challenges in inorganic bulk-based flexible thermoelectric devices
Liu, Qing-Yi, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Cao, Tian-Yi, Chen, Wen-Yi, Li, Lan and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2024). Advances and challenges in inorganic bulk-based flexible thermoelectric devices. Progress in Materials Science, 150 101420, 101420. doi: 10.1016/j.pmatsci.2024.101420
2024
Journal Article
Synthesis of Ni(OH)2‐g‐C3N4/C composite by biological template for asymmetric supercapacitor
Chen, Fei, Liu, Chengbao, Zheng, Leizhi, Chen, Feng, Qian, Junchao, Qiu, Yongbin, Meng, Xianron and Chen, Zhigang (2024). Synthesis of Ni(OH)2‐g‐C3N4/C composite by biological template for asymmetric supercapacitor. Advanced Engineering Materials, 26 (23) 2401235. doi: 10.1002/adem.202401235
2024
Journal Article
High-performance thermoelectric PEDOT:PSS fiber bundles via rational ionic liquid treatment
Deng, Yu-Yu, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Wu, Ting, Wu, Hao, Liu, Yuan-Meng, Zhu, Min, Liu, Wei-Di, Li, Meng, Huang, Pei, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2024). High-performance thermoelectric PEDOT:PSS fiber bundles via rational ionic liquid treatment. Chemical Engineering Journal, 502 158104, 158104. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.158104
2024
Journal Article
Pioneering Exploration for a lasting and sustainable future
Li, Gaopeng, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Wang, Chengliang (2024). Pioneering Exploration for a lasting and sustainable future. Exploration, 4 (6) 2376, 6. doi: 10.1002/EXP.20240397
2024
Journal Article
Defect engineering advances thermoelectric materials
Wu, Chunlu, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Wang, Lijun, Lyu, Wanyu, Yuan, Pei, Cheng, Lina, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Yao, Xiangdong (2024). Defect engineering advances thermoelectric materials. ACS Nano, 18 (46), 31660-31712. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.4c11732
2024
Journal Article
High‐performance AgSbTe2 thermoelectrics: advances, challenges, and perspectives
Li, Lan, Hu, Boxuan, Liu, Qingyi, Shi, Xiao‐Lei and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2024). High‐performance AgSbTe2 thermoelectrics: advances, challenges, and perspectives. Advanced Materials, 36 (45) 2409275, e2409275. doi: 10.1002/adma.202409275
2024
Journal Article
Rational triple optimizations boost near-room-temperature thermoelectric performance of BiSe
Liu, Hui, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Pan, Lin, Mao, Yuanqing, Li, Meng, Wang, Lijun, Liu, Wei-Di, Liu, Qingfeng, Wang, Yifeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2024). Rational triple optimizations boost near-room-temperature thermoelectric performance of BiSe. Acta Materialia, 280 120343. doi: 10.1016/j.actamat.2024.120343
2024
Journal Article
Compromising configurational entropy leading to exceptional thermoelectric properties in SnTe‐based materials
Moshwan, Raza, Zhang, Min, Li, Meng, Liu, Siqi, Li, Nanhai, Cao, Tianyi, Liu, Wei‐Di, Shi, Xiao‐Lei and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2024). Compromising configurational entropy leading to exceptional thermoelectric properties in SnTe‐based materials. Advanced Functional Materials. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202418291
2024
Journal Article
Na/Bi-co-doping and heterogeneous interfaces leading to enhanced thermoelectric performance of p-type Mg3Sb2-based Zintls
Xu, Zhe, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Zhang, Yibo, Liang, Jisheng, Li, Meng, Liu, Chengyan, Miao, Lei, Liu, Siqi, Wang, Shihao, Zhou, Qi, Gao, Jie, Zhang, Zhongwei, Liu, Wei-Di, Peng, Ying, Chen, Jun-Liang and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2024). Na/Bi-co-doping and heterogeneous interfaces leading to enhanced thermoelectric performance of p-type Mg3Sb2-based Zintls. Chemical Engineering Journal, 498 155147, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.155147
2024
Journal Article
A fast-charging and ultra-stable sodium-ion battery anode enabled by N-doped Bi/BiOCl in a carbon framework
Wei, Sheng-Li, Yang, Yan-Ling, Chen, Jin-Geng, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Sun, Yu, Li, Peng, Tian, Xue-Feng, Chen, Hua-Jun, Luo, Zhao and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2024). A fast-charging and ultra-stable sodium-ion battery anode enabled by N-doped Bi/BiOCl in a carbon framework. Advanced Energy Materials, 14 (37) 2401825, 1-10. doi: 10.1002/aenm.202401825
2024
Journal Article
High‐Performing Flexible Mg<sub>3</sub>Bi<sub>2</sub> Thin‐Film Thermoelectrics
Hu, Boxuan, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Cao, Tianyi, Liu, Siqi, Zhang, Min, Lyu, Wanyu, Yin, Liangcao, Tesfamichael, Tuquabo, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2024). High‐Performing Flexible Mg3Bi2 Thin‐Film Thermoelectrics. Advanced Science, 11 (44) 2409788, e2409788. doi: 10.1002/advs.202409788
2024
Journal Article
Deviceization of high-performance and flexible Ag2Se films for electronic skin and servo rotation angle control
Chen, Yue-Xing, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Zhang, Jun-Ze, Nisar, Mohammad, Zha, Zhong-Zhao, Zhong, Zi-Nan, Li, Fu, Liang, Guang-Xing, Luo, Jing-Ting, Li, Meng, Cao, Tianyi, Liu, Wei-Di, Xu, Dong-Yan, Zheng, Zhuang-Hao and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2024). Deviceization of high-performance and flexible Ag2Se films for electronic skin and servo rotation angle control. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 8356, 1-13. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-52680-0
2024
Journal Article
Sn‐Doping‐Induced Biphasic Structure Advances Ductile Ag<sub>2</sub>S‐Based Thermoelectrics
Wu, Hao, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Mao, Yuanqing, Li, Meng, Wu, Ting, Wang, De‐Zhuang, Yin, Liang‐Cao, Zhu, Ming, Liu, Wei‐Di, Wang, Lijun, Wang, Yifeng, Duan, Jingui, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2024). Sn‐Doping‐Induced Biphasic Structure Advances Ductile Ag2S‐Based Thermoelectrics. Advanced Science, 11 (43) 2408374, e2408374. doi: 10.1002/advs.202408374
2024
Journal Article
Carrier separation boosts thermoelectric performance of flexible n‐type Ag2Se‐based films
Hu, Qin‐Xue, Liu, Wei‐Di, Zhang, Li, Gao, Han, Wang, De‐Zhuang, Wu, Ting, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Li, Meng, Liu, Qing‐Feng, Yang, Yan‐Ling and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2024). Carrier separation boosts thermoelectric performance of flexible n‐type Ag2Se‐based films. Advanced Energy Materials, 14 (36) 2401890. doi: 10.1002/aenm.202401890
2024
Journal Article
Glassy ZIF-62 compositing induces ultralow lattice thermal conductivity in GeTe
Li, Shu-Qing, Liu, Wei-Di, Yin, Liang-Cao, Wang, De-Zhuang, Wu, Hao, Li, Meng, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Wang, Yifeng, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2024). Glassy ZIF-62 compositing induces ultralow lattice thermal conductivity in GeTe. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 999 174964, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.174964
Funding
Supervision
Availability
- Honorary Professor Zhi-Gang Chen is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Design low-cost, low-toxic and high performance thermoelectric materials
The direct energy conversion between heat and electricity, based on thermoelectric effects without moving parts, has been considered as a green and sustainable solution to the global energy dilemma. This project aims to develop novel band-engineered metal selenides for high-efficiency energy conversion using novel microwave assisted wet chemistry approach, coupled with nanostructure and band engineering strategies. The key breakthrough is to design high performance metal selenide thermoelectrics for satisfying the high efficiency solid-state devices. The expected outcomes will lead to an innovative technology that waste heat recovery and refrigeration, which will place Australia at the forefront of practical energy technologies.
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Design low-cost and high performance two dimensional topological insulators
Superfast information technology had HOV lanes so that data could be stored, processed and disseminated many times faster than possible with today's electronics. This project aims to develop new topological insulators using chemical vapor depostion and coupling unique nanostructure and band engineering strategies. The ultimate target is to be used for this new generation devices, such a speedway for future devices, an exotic type of electrical conductor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Design high-performance fiber-based thermoelectrics for wearable electronics
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matthew Dargusch, Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of High-Performance Thermoelectric Materials and Devices for on-chip Applications
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matthew Dargusch, Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
-
Doctor Philosophy
Advanced Microscopy Technique for High-performance Thermoelectric Materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the structural characteristics for two-dimensional nanostructure heterojunction
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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Doctor Philosophy
Atomic scale phase transition study in two-dimensional material heterostructures by in-situ transmission electron microscopy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of thermoelectric materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of thermoelectric materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
High-performance GeTe Thermoelectrics for Generation and Refrigeration
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matthew Dargusch
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
High performance flexible thermoelectric materials and their device design
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matthew Dargusch, Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
High-performance SnTe-based Thermoelectric Materials via Synergistically Band and Nanostructure Engineering
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Development of High-efficiency Metal Chalcogenide Thermoelectric Nanomaterials by Nanostructure Engineering
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2012
Master Philosophy
Synthesis of Tellurium-based Thermoelectric Nanomaterials
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2018
Master Philosophy
The CVD growth and the characterization of MoxW1-xTe2
Joint Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Layered Semiconductor Nanostructures and Understanding Their Growth Mechanisms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Development and Understanding of Solvothermal Synthesized Copper Chalcogenide Thermoelectric Materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Study of Cracking and Breakage Behaviour of Gibbsite Particles at Smelter Grade Alumina Production Conditions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Zhu
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Development of High-efficient Tin Selenide-based Thermoelectric Materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Growth of Metal Chalcogenide Nanomaterials and Their Characterizations
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Development of high-performance bismuth telluride-based thermoelectric nanomaterials through structure manipulating and band engineering
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Development of New-Phase Layer-Structured In3Se4 Nanostructures for Energy Applications
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the Bi2Te3-based Nanostructures Synthesized by the Solvothermal Method
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2012
Master Philosophy
Electron Microscopy Investigation of epitaxial GaAs nanowires grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
Media
Enquiries
Contact Honorary Professor Zhi-Gang Chen directly for media enquiries about:
- Engineering
- Light electronics
- Lights
- Nanomaterials
- Nanostructures
- Optoelectronic devices
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