
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
2017
Journal Article
Room-temperature chiral charge pumping in Dirac semimetals
Zhang, Cheng, Zhang, Enze, Wang, Weiyi, Liu, Yanwen, Chen, Zhi-Gang , Lu, Shiheng, Liang, Sihang, Cao, Junzhi, Yuan, Xiang, Tang, Lei, Li, Qian, Zhou, Chao, Gu, Teng, Wu, Yizheng, Zou, Jin and Xiu, Faxian (2017). Room-temperature chiral charge pumping in Dirac semimetals. Nature Communications, 8 (1) 13741, 13741. doi: 10.1038/ncomms13741
2017
Journal Article
N-type Bi-doped PbTe nanocubes with enhanced thermoelectric performance
Yang, Lei, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Hong, Min, Wang, Lihua, Kong, Deli, Huang, Liqing, Han, Guang, Zou, Yichao, Dargusch, Matthew and Zou, Jin (2017). N-type Bi-doped PbTe nanocubes with enhanced thermoelectric performance. Nano Energy, 31, 105-112. doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2016.11.027
2016
Journal Article
Surface-energy engineered Bi-doped SnTe nanoribbons with weak antilocalization effect and linear magnetoresistance
Zou, Yi-Chao, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Kong, Fantai, Zhang, Enze, Drennan, John, Cho, Kyeongjae, Xiu, Faxian and Zou, Jin (2016). Surface-energy engineered Bi-doped SnTe nanoribbons with weak antilocalization effect and linear magnetoresistance. Nanoscale, 8 (46), 19383-19389. doi: 10.1039/c6nr07140f
2016
Journal Article
Oxygen vacancy dependence of magnetic behavior in the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures
Hu, Hai-Long, Ao, Lei, Pham, Anh, Wang, Danyang, Wang, Yu, Chen, Zhigang, Kong, Charlie, Tan, Thian Teck, Zu, Xiaotao and Li, Sean (2016). Oxygen vacancy dependence of magnetic behavior in the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures. Advanced Materials Interfaces, 3 (20) 1600547, 1600547. doi: 10.1002/admi.201600547
2016
Journal Article
Limit of zT enhancement in rocksalt structured chalcogenides by band convergence
Hong, Min, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Pei, Yanzhong, Yang, Lei and Zou, Jin (2016). Limit of zT enhancement in rocksalt structured chalcogenides by band convergence. Physical Review B, 94 (16) 161201. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevB.94.161201
2016
Journal Article
Tunable ambipolar polarization-sensitive photodetectors based on high-anisotropy ReSe2 nanosheets
Zhang, Enze, Wang, Peng, Li, Zhe, Wang, Haifeng, Song, Chaoyu, Huang, Ce, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Yang, Lei, Zhang, Kaitai, Lu, Shiheng, Wang, Weiyi, Liu, Shanshan, Fang, Hehai, Zhou, Xiaohao, Yang, Hugen, Zou, Jin, Wan, Xiangang, Zhou, Peng, Hu, Weida and Xiu, Faxian (2016). Tunable ambipolar polarization-sensitive photodetectors based on high-anisotropy ReSe2 nanosheets. ACS Nano, 10 (8), 8067-8077. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.6b04165
2016
Journal Article
Zeeman splitting and dynamical mass generation in Dirac semimetal ZrTe5
Liu, Yanwen, Yuan, Xiang, Zhang, Cheng, Jin, Zhao, Narayan, Awadhesh, Luo, Chen, Chen, Zhigang, Yang, Lei, Zou, Jin, Wu, Xing, Sanvito, Stefano, Xia, Zhengcai, Li, Liang, Wang, Zhong and Xiu, Faxian (2016). Zeeman splitting and dynamical mass generation in Dirac semimetal ZrTe5. Nature Communications, 7 (1) 12516, 12516. doi: 10.1038/ncomms12516
2016
Journal Article
Impacts of Cu deficiency on the thermoelectric properties of Cu2-XSe nanoplates
Yang, Lei, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Han, Guang, Hong, Min and Zou, Jin (2016). Impacts of Cu deficiency on the thermoelectric properties of Cu2-XSe nanoplates. Acta Materialia, 113, 140-146. doi: 10.1016/j.actamat.2016.04.050
2016
Journal Article
Te-doped Cu2Se nanoplates with a high average thermoelectric figure of merit
Yang, Lei, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Han, Guang, Hong, Min, Huang, Liqing and Zou, Jin (2016). Te-doped Cu2Se nanoplates with a high average thermoelectric figure of merit. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 4 (23), 9213-9219. doi: 10.1039/c6ta02998a
2016
Journal Article
Subtle interplay between localized magnetic moments and itinerant electrons in LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures
Hu, Hai-Long, Zeng, Rong, Pham, Anh, Tan, Thiam Teck, Chen, Zhigang, Kong, Charlie, Wang, Danyang and Li, Sean (2016). Subtle interplay between localized magnetic moments and itinerant electrons in LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 8 (21), 13630-13636. doi: 10.1021/acsami.6b01518
2016
Journal Article
Planar vacancies in Sn1-xBixTe nanoribbons
Zou, Yi-Chao, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Kong, Fantai, Lin, Jing, Drennan, John, Cho, Kyeongjae, Wang, Zhongchang and Zou, Jin (2016). Planar vacancies in Sn1-xBixTe nanoribbons. ACS Nano, 10 (5), 5507-5515. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.6b01953
2016
Journal Article
Enhancing thermoelectric performance of Bi2Te3-based nanostructures through rational structure design
Hong, Min, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Yang, Lei and Zou, Jin (2016). Enhancing thermoelectric performance of Bi2Te3-based nanostructures through rational structure design. Nanoscale, 8 (16), 8681-8686. doi: 10.1039/c6nr00719h
2016
Journal Article
n-Type Bi2Te3-xSex nanoplates with enhanced thermoelectric efficiency driven by wide-frequency phonon scatterings and synergistic carrier scatterings
Hong, Min, Chasapis, Thomas C., Chen, Zhi-Gang, Yang, Lei, Kanatzidis, Mercouri G., Snyder, G. Jeffrey and Zou, Jin (2016). n-Type Bi2Te3-xSex nanoplates with enhanced thermoelectric efficiency driven by wide-frequency phonon scatterings and synergistic carrier scatterings. ACS Nano, 10 (4), 4719-4727. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.6b01156
2016
Journal Article
Defect-driven oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of carbon without any element doping
Zhao, Xiaojun, Zou, Xiaoqin, Yan, Xuecheng, Brown, Christopher L., Chen, Zhigang, Zhu, Guangshan and Yao, Xiangdong (2016). Defect-driven oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of carbon without any element doping. Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers, 3 (3), 417-421. doi: 10.1039/c5qi00236b
2016
Journal Article
BixSb2-xTe3 nanoplates with enhanced thermoelectric performance due to sufficiently decoupled electronic transport properties and strong wide-frequency phonon scatterings
Hong, Min, Chen, Zhi G., Yang, Lei and Zou, Jin (2016). BixSb2-xTe3 nanoplates with enhanced thermoelectric performance due to sufficiently decoupled electronic transport properties and strong wide-frequency phonon scatterings. Nano Energy, 20, 144-155. doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2015.12.009
2016
Journal Article
Co-doped Sb2Te3 paramagnetic nanoplates
Yang, Lei, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Nie, Tianxiao, Han, Guang, Zhang, Zhi, Hong, Min, Wang, Kang L. and Zou, Jin (2016). Co-doped Sb2Te3 paramagnetic nanoplates. Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 4 (3), 521-525. doi: 10.1039/c5tc03767k
2016
Book Chapter
Layer-structured thermoelectric materials: fundamentals, strategies and progress
Chen, Zhi-Gang and Zou, Jin (2016). Layer-structured thermoelectric materials: fundamentals, strategies and progress. Two-dimensional nanostructures for energy-related applications. (pp. 23-47) edited by Kuan Yew Cheong. Boca Raton, FL, United States: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781315369877
2015
Journal Article
Periodicity dependence of the built-in electric field in (Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3/Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 ferroelectric superlattices
Lin, Qianru, Wang, Danyang, Chen, Zhigang, Liu, Wenfeng, Lim, Sean and Li, Sean (2015). Periodicity dependence of the built-in electric field in (Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3/Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 ferroelectric superlattices. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 7 (47), 26301-26306. doi: 10.1021/acsami.5b08943
2015
Journal Article
Enhanced thermoelectric performance of nanostructured Bi2Te3 through significant phonon scattering
Yang, Lei, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Hong, Min, Han, Guang and Zou, Jin (2015). Enhanced thermoelectric performance of nanostructured Bi2Te3 through significant phonon scattering. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 7 (42), 23694-23699. doi: 10.1021/acsami.5b07596
2015
Journal Article
Magnetoinfrared Spectroscopy of Landau Levels and Zeeman Splitting of Three-Dimensional Massless Dirac Fermions in ZrTe5
Chen, R. Y., Chen, Z. G., Song, X. Y., Schneeloch, J. A., Gu, G. D., Wang, F. and Wang, N. L. (2015). Magnetoinfrared Spectroscopy of Landau Levels and Zeeman Splitting of Three-Dimensional Massless Dirac Fermions in ZrTe5. Physical Review Letters, 115 (17) 176404. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.115.176404
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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