
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
2021
Journal Article
Optimizing electronic quality factor toward high‐performance Ge1−x−y Tax SbyTe thermoelectrics: the role of transition metal doping
Li, Meng, Sun, Qiang, Xu, Sheng‐Duo, Hong, Min, Lyu, Wan‐Yu, Liu, Ji‐Xing, Wang, Yuan, Dargusch, Matthew, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2021). Optimizing electronic quality factor toward high‐performance Ge1−x−y Tax SbyTe thermoelectrics: the role of transition metal doping. Advanced Materials, 33 (40) 2102575, 1-8. doi: 10.1002/adma.202102575
2021
Journal Article
Conducting polymer-based flexible thermoelectric materials and devices: from mechanisms to applications
Xu, Shengduo, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Dargusch, Matthew, Di, Chongan, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Conducting polymer-based flexible thermoelectric materials and devices: from mechanisms to applications. Progress in Materials Science, 121 100840, 100840. doi: 10.1016/j.pmatsci.2021.100840
2021
Journal Article
Thermal induced spin-polarized current protected by spin-momentum locking in nanowires
Ning, Jiai, Peng, Wanli, Wang, Wei, Chen, Zhendong, Yang, Pei, Chen, Yequan, Zhao, Yafei, Sun, Yizhe, Kanagaraj, Moorthi, Yang, Long, Gao, Qinwu, Zhang, Junran, Zhao, Degang, Pan, Danfeng, Ruan, Xuezhong, Li, Yao, Liu, Wenqing, He, Liang, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Xu, Yongbing (2021). Thermal induced spin-polarized current protected by spin-momentum locking in nanowires. Physical Review B, 104 (3) 035429. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevB.104.035429
2021
Journal Article
A flexible quasi-solid-state thermoelectrochemical cell with high stretchability as an energy-autonomous strain sensor
Liang, Lirong, Lv, Haicai, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Liu, Zhuoxin, Chen, Guangming, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Sun, Guoxing (2021). A flexible quasi-solid-state thermoelectrochemical cell with high stretchability as an energy-autonomous strain sensor. Materials Horizons, 8 (10), 2750-2760. doi: 10.1039/d1mh00775k
2021
Journal Article
Bi2O3/BiVO4@graphene oxide van der Waals heterostructures with enhanced photocatalytic activity toward oxygen generation
Bi, Yaxin, Yang, Yanling, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Feng, Lei, Hou, Xiaojiang, Ye, Xiaohui, Zhang, Li, Suo, Guoquan, Chen, Jingeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Bi2O3/BiVO4@graphene oxide van der Waals heterostructures with enhanced photocatalytic activity toward oxygen generation. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 593, 196-203. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.02.079
2021
Journal Article
High-efficiency thermocells driven by thermo-electrochemical processes
Li, Meng, Hong, Min, Dargusch, Matthew, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). High-efficiency thermocells driven by thermo-electrochemical processes. Trends in Chemistry, 3 (7), 561-574. doi: 10.1016/j.trechm.2020.11.001
2021
Journal Article
Emerging alternative for artificial ammonia synthesis through catalytic nitrate reduction
Hao, Derek, Chen, Zhi-gang, Figiela, Monika, Stepniak, Izabela, Wei, Wei and Ni, Bing-Jie (2021). Emerging alternative for artificial ammonia synthesis through catalytic nitrate reduction. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 77, 163-168. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2020.10.056
2021
Conference Publication
A new approach for measuring the shear strength of cleated coal
Chen, Z., Mondal, S., Leonardi, C. R. and Flottmann, T. (2021). A new approach for measuring the shear strength of cleated coal. 55th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, Houston, TX United States, 18-25 June 2021. Alexandria, VA United States: The American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA).
2021
Journal Article
Self-standing film assembled using SnS–Sn/multiwalled carbon nanotubes encapsulated carbon fibers: a potential large-scale production material for ultra-stable sodium-ion battery anodes
Sun, Yu, Yang, Yanling, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Suo, Guoquan, Chen, Huajun, Hou, Xiaojiang, Lu, Siyu and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Self-standing film assembled using SnS–Sn/multiwalled carbon nanotubes encapsulated carbon fibers: a potential large-scale production material for ultra-stable sodium-ion battery anodes. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 13 (24) acsami.1c07152, 28359-28368. doi: 10.1021/acsami.1c07152
2021
Journal Article
Flexible thermoelectric materials and devices: from materials to applications
Zhang, Li, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Yang, Yan-Ling and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Flexible thermoelectric materials and devices: from materials to applications. Materials Today, 46, 62-108. doi: 10.1016/j.mattod.2021.02.016
2021
Journal Article
Double perovskite Pr2CoFeO6 thermoelectric oxide: roles of Sr-doping and micro/nanostructuring
Wu, Hao, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Liu, Wei-Di, Li, Meng, Gao, Han, Zhou, Wei, Shao, Zongping, Wang, Yifeng, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Double perovskite Pr2CoFeO6 thermoelectric oxide: roles of Sr-doping and micro/nanostructuring. Chemical Engineering Journal, 425 130668, 130668. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.130668
2021
Journal Article
Structural evolution of high‐performance Mn‐alloyed thermoelectric materials: a case study of SnTe
Sun, Qiang, Chen, Zhi‐Yu, Li, Meng, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Xu, Sheng‐Duo, Yin, Yu, Dargusch, Matthew, Zou, Jin, Ang, Ran and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2021). Structural evolution of high‐performance Mn‐alloyed thermoelectric materials: a case study of SnTe. Small, 17 (25) 2100525, 1-10. doi: 10.1002/smll.202100525
2021
Journal Article
Carbon allotrope hybrids advance thermoelectric development and applications
Liu, Wei-Di, Yu, Yao, Dargusch, Matthew, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Carbon allotrope hybrids advance thermoelectric development and applications. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 141 110800, 110800. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.110800
2021
Journal Article
Rational electronic and structural designs advance BiCuSeO thermoelectrics
Gu, Yan, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Pan, Lin, Liu, Wei‐Di, Sun, Qiang, Tang, Xiao, Kou, Liang‐Zhi, Liu, Qing‐Feng, Wang, Yi‐Feng and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2021). Rational electronic and structural designs advance BiCuSeO thermoelectrics. Advanced Functional Materials, 31 (25) 2101289, 2101289. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202101289
2021
Journal Article
Hierarchical meso/macro-porous TiO2/graphitic carbon nitride nanofibers with enhanced hydrogen evolution
Zou, Xinxin, Yang, Yanling, Chen, Huajun, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Song, Shaoli and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Hierarchical meso/macro-porous TiO2/graphitic carbon nitride nanofibers with enhanced hydrogen evolution. Materials and Design, 202 109542, 109542. doi: 10.1016/j.matdes.2021.109542
2021
Journal Article
Simultaneously optimized thermoelectric performance of n-type Cu2Se alloyed Bi2Te3
Chen, Jie, Bao, Deyu, Sun, Qiang, Liu, Wei-Di, Liu, Can, Tang, Jun, Yang, Lei, Zhou, Dali, Dargusch, Matthew S. and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Simultaneously optimized thermoelectric performance of n-type Cu2Se alloyed Bi2Te3. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 296 121987, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jssc.2021.121987
2021
Journal Article
Rare-earth Nd inducing record-high thermoelectric performance of (GeTe)85(AgSbTe2)15
Lyu, Wan Yu, Hong, Min, Liu, Wei Di, Li, Meng, Sun, Qiang, Xu, Sheng Duo, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Rare-earth Nd inducing record-high thermoelectric performance of (GeTe)85(AgSbTe2)15. Energy Material Advances, 2021 2414286, 1-8. doi: 10.34133/2021/2414286
2021
Journal Article
Wearable fiber-based thermoelectrics from materials to applications
Chen, Wen-Yi, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Wearable fiber-based thermoelectrics from materials to applications. Nano Energy, 81 105684, 1-19. doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.105684
2021
Journal Article
Mechanical alloying boosted SnTe thermoelectrics
Chen, Zhiyu, Sun, Qiang, Zhang, Fujie, Mao, Jianjun, Chen, Yue, Li, Meng, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Ang, Ran (2021). Mechanical alloying boosted SnTe thermoelectrics. Materials Today Physics, 17 100340, 100340. doi: 10.1016/j.mtphys.2021.100340
2021
Journal Article
Rational band engineering and structural manipulations inducing high thermoelectric performance in n-type CoSb3 thin films
Zheng, Zhuang-Hao, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Ao, Dong-Wei, Liu, Wei-Di, Chen, Yue-Xing, Li, Fu, Chen, Shuo, Tian, Xiao-Qing, Li, Xin-Ru, Duan, Jing-Yi, Ma, Hong-Li, Zhang, Xiang-Hua, Liang, Guang-Xing, Fan, Ping and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Rational band engineering and structural manipulations inducing high thermoelectric performance in n-type CoSb3 thin films. Nano Energy, 81 105683, 105683. doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.105683
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
Development of High-Performance Thermoelectric Materials and Devices for on-chip Applications
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matthew Dargusch, Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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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 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
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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
Atomic scale phase transition study in two-dimensional material heterostructures by in-situ transmission electron microscopy
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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