
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
2019
Journal Article
Boosting oxygen evolution reaction by creating both metal ion and lattice-oxygen active sites in a complex oxide
Zhu, Yinlong, Tahini, Hassan A., Hu, Zhiwei, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Zhou, Wei, Komarek, Alexander C., Lin, Qian, Lin, Hong-Ji, Chen, Chien-Te, Zhong, Yijun, Fernández-Díaz, M. T., Smith, Sean C., Wang, Huanting, Liu, Meilin and Shao, Zongping (2019). Boosting oxygen evolution reaction by creating both metal ion and lattice-oxygen active sites in a complex oxide. Advanced Materials, 32 (1) 1905025, 1905025. doi: 10.1002/adma.201905025
2019
Journal Article
Kinetic condition driven phase and vacancy enhancing thermoelectric performance of low-cost and eco-friendly Cu2−xS
Liu, Wei-Di, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Gao, Han, Moshwan, Raza, Xu, Sheng-Duo, Wang, Yuan, Yang, Lei, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Zou, Jin (2019). Kinetic condition driven phase and vacancy enhancing thermoelectric performance of low-cost and eco-friendly Cu2−xS. Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 7 (18), 5366-5373. doi: 10.1039/c9tc00819e
2019
Journal Article
A new indium selenide phase: controllable synthesis, phase transformation and photoluminescence properties
Han, Guang, Gu, Qinfen, Yang, Lei, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Zou, Jin (2019). A new indium selenide phase: controllable synthesis, phase transformation and photoluminescence properties. Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 7 (43), 13573-13584. doi: 10.1039/c9tc04635f
2019
Conference Publication
The study of atmospheric pressure CVD growth process of MoxW1-xTe2 nanobelts for tuneable chemical composition
Liu, Shijian, Qiu, Haipeng, Liu, Shanhua, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhigang (2019). The study of atmospheric pressure CVD growth process of MoxW1-xTe2 nanobelts for tuneable chemical composition. 11th International Conference on High-Performance Ceramics, Kunming, China, 25–29 May 2019. Institute of Physics Publishing. doi: 10.1088/1757-899X/678/1/012149
2019
Journal Article
Cracking behavior and mechanism of gibbsite crystallites during calcination
Zhang, Jinxuan, Ge, Lei, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Boom, Eric and Zhu, Zhonghua (2019). Cracking behavior and mechanism of gibbsite crystallites during calcination. Crystal Research & Technology, 54 (1) 1800201, 1800201. doi: 10.1002/crat.201800201
2019
Journal Article
Designing for high corrosion-resistant high nitrogen martensitic stainless steel based on DFT calculation and pressurized metallurgy method
Feng, Hao, Li, Hua-Bing, Jiang, Zhou-Hua, Zhang, Tao, Dong, Nan, Zhang, Shu-Cai, Han, Pei-De, Zhao, Si and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2019). Designing for high corrosion-resistant high nitrogen martensitic stainless steel based on DFT calculation and pressurized metallurgy method. Corrosion Science, 158 108081, 108081. doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2019.07.007
2018
Journal Article
Ag doping induced abnormal lattice thermal conductivity in Cu2Se
Liu, Weidi, Shi, Xiaolei, Hong, Min, Yang, Lei, Moshwan, Raza, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Zou, Jin (2018). Ag doping induced abnormal lattice thermal conductivity in Cu2Se. Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 6 (48), 13225-13231. doi: 10.1039/c8tc04129f
2018
Journal Article
Attaining reduced lattice thermal conductivity and enhanced electrical conductivity in as-sintered pure n-type Bi2Te3 alloy
Wang, Xiao-yu, Wang, Hui-juan, Xiang, Bo, Shang, Hong-jing, Zhu, Bin, Yu, Yuan, Jin, Hui, Zhao, Run-fei, Huang, Zhong-yue, Liu, Lan-jun, Zu, Fang-qiu and Chen, Zhi-gang (2018). Attaining reduced lattice thermal conductivity and enhanced electrical conductivity in as-sintered pure n-type Bi2Te3 alloy. Journal of Materials Science, 54 (6), 4788-4797. doi: 10.1007/s10853-018-3172-9
2018
Journal Article
Enhanced carrier mobility and thermoelectric performance in Cu2FeSnSe4 diamond-like compound via manipulating the intrinsic lattice defects
Song, Q., Qiu, P., Chen, H., Zhao, K., Guan, M., Zhou, Y., Wei, T. R., Ren, D., Xi, L., Yang, J., Chen, Z., Shi, X. and Chen, L. (2018). Enhanced carrier mobility and thermoelectric performance in Cu2FeSnSe4 diamond-like compound via manipulating the intrinsic lattice defects. Materials Today Physics, 7, 45-53. doi: 10.1016/j.mtphys.2018.10.005
2018
Journal Article
Sustainable utilization of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash for ceramic bricks with eco-friendly biosafety
Deng, Y., Gong, B., Chao, Y., Dong, T., Yang, W., Hong, M., Shi, X., Wang, G., Jin, Y. and Chen, Z.-G. (2018). Sustainable utilization of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash for ceramic bricks with eco-friendly biosafety. Materials Today Sustainability, 1-2, 32-38. doi: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2018.11.002
2018
Journal Article
Highly (00l)-oriented Bi2Te3/Te heterostructure thin films with enhanced power factor
Shang, Hong-Jing, Ding, Fa-Zhu, Deng, Yuan, Zhang, He, Dong, Ze-Bin, Xu, Wen-Juan, Huang, Da-Xing, Gu, Hong-Wei and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2018). Highly (00l)-oriented Bi2Te3/Te heterostructure thin films with enhanced power factor. Nanoscale, 10 (43), 20189-20195. doi: 10.1039/c8nr07112h
2018
Journal Article
High Thermoelectric Performance in Sintered Octahedron-Shaped Sn(CdIn)xTe1+2x Microcrystals
Moshwan, Raza, Shi, Xiao Lei, Liu, Wei-Di, Yang, Lei, Wang, Yuan, Hong, Min, Auchterlonie, Graeme, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2018). High Thermoelectric Performance in Sintered Octahedron-Shaped Sn(CdIn)xTe1+2x Microcrystals. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 10 (45) acsami.8b14233, 38944-38952. doi: 10.1021/acsami.8b14233
2018
Journal Article
Influence of nitrogen on corrosion behaviour of high nitrogen martensitic stainless steels manufactured by pressurized metallurgy
Feng, Hao, Jiang, Zhouhua, Li, Huabing, Lu, Pengchong, Zhang, Shucai, Zhu, Hongchun, Zhang, Binbin, Zhang, Tao, Xu, Dake and Chen, Zhigang (2018). Influence of nitrogen on corrosion behaviour of high nitrogen martensitic stainless steels manufactured by pressurized metallurgy. Corrosion Science, 144, 288-300. doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2018.09.002
2018
Journal Article
Vapour-solid growth of MoxW1-xTe2 nanobelts by a facile chemical vapour deposition method
Liu, Shi-Jian, Zou, Yi-Chao, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Li, Qi-Zhen, Yang, Yu-Zhe, Liu, Wei-Di, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Zou, Jin (2018). Vapour-solid growth of MoxW1-xTe2 nanobelts by a facile chemical vapour deposition method. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 777, 926-930. doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2018.11.068
2018
Journal Article
Arrays of planar vacancies in superior thermoelectric Ge1− x − yCdxBiyTe with band convergence
Hong, Min, Wang, Yuan, Liu, Weidi, Matsumura, Syo, Wang, Hao, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2018). Arrays of planar vacancies in superior thermoelectric Ge1− x − yCdxBiyTe with band convergence. Advanced Energy Materials, 8 (30) 1801837, 1801837. doi: 10.1002/aenm.201801837
2018
Journal Article
Polycrystalline SnSe with extraordinary thermoelectric property via nanoporous design
Shi, Xiaolei, Wu, Angyin, Liu, Weidi, Moshwan, Raza, Wang, Yuan, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Zou, Jin (2018). Polycrystalline SnSe with extraordinary thermoelectric property via nanoporous design. ACS Nano, 12 (11) acsnano.8b06387, 11417-11425. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.8b06387
2018
Journal Article
Bioinspired design of strong, tough, and thermally stable polymeric materials via nanoconfinement
Song, Pingan, Dai, Jinfeng, Chen, Guorong, Yu, Youming, Fang, Zhengping, Lei, Weiwei, Fu, Shenyuan, Wang, Hao and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2018). Bioinspired design of strong, tough, and thermally stable polymeric materials via nanoconfinement. ACS Nano, 12 (9) acsnano.8b04002, 9266-9278. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.8b04002
2018
Journal Article
Improved catalytic combustion of methane using CuO nanobelts with predominantly (001) surfaces
Kong, Qingquan, Yin, Yichun, Xue, Bing, Jin, Yonggang, Feng, Wei, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Su, Shi and Sun, Chenghua (2018). Improved catalytic combustion of methane using CuO nanobelts with predominantly (001) surfaces. Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology, 9 (1), 2526-2532. doi: 10.3762/bjnano.9.235
2018
Journal Article
Enhancing thermoelectric performance of (Cu1-xAgx)2Se via CuAgSe secondary phase and porous design
Liu, Weidi, Shi, Xiaolei, Moshwan, Raza, Hong, Min, Yang, Lei, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Zou, Jin (2018). Enhancing thermoelectric performance of (Cu1-xAgx)2Se via CuAgSe secondary phase and porous design. Sustainable Materials and Technologies, 17 e00076. doi: 10.1016/j.susmat.2018.e00076
2018
Journal Article
Achieving high thermoelectric performance of Ni/Cu modified Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 composites by a facile electroless plating
Huang, Zhong-Yue, Zhang, He, Yang, Lei, Zhu, Bin, Zheng, Kun, Hong, Min, Yu, Yuan, Zu, Fang-Qiu, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2018). Achieving high thermoelectric performance of Ni/Cu modified Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 composites by a facile electroless plating. Materials Today Energy, 9, 383-390. doi: 10.1016/j.mtener.2018.06.011
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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