
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
2012
Journal Article
Weak anti-localization and quantum oscillations of surface states in topological insulator Bi2Se2Te
Bao, Lihong, He, Liang, Meyer, Nicholas, Kou, Xufeng, Zhang, Peng, Chen, Zhi-gang, Fedorov, Alexei V., Zou, Jin, Riedemann, Trevor M., Lograsso, Thomas A., Wang, Kang L., Tuttle, Gary and Xiu, Faxian (2012). Weak anti-localization and quantum oscillations of surface states in topological insulator Bi2Se2Te. Scientific Reports, 2 (1) 726, 726.1-726.7. doi: 10.1038/srep00726
2012
Journal Article
Fabrication of crystal alpha-Si3N4/Si-SiOx core-shell/Au-SiOx peapod-like axial double heterostructures for optoelectronic applications
Nie, Tianxiao, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Wu, Yueqin, Guo, Yanan, Zhang, Jiuzhan, Fan, Yongliang, Yang, Xinju, Jiang, Zuimin and Zou, Jin (2012). Fabrication of crystal alpha-Si3N4/Si-SiOx core-shell/Au-SiOx peapod-like axial double heterostructures for optoelectronic applications. Nanotechnology, 23 (30) 305603, 305603.1-305603.9. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/23/30/305603
2012
Journal Article
Nitrogen-doped carbon monolith for alkaline supercapacitors and understanding nitrogen-induced redox transitions
Wang, Da-Wei, Li, Feng, Yin, LC, Lu, Xu, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Gentle, Ian R., Lu, Gao Qing (Max) and Cheng, Hui-Ming (2012). Nitrogen-doped carbon monolith for alkaline supercapacitors and understanding nitrogen-induced redox transitions. Chemistry - A European Journal, 18 (17), 5345-5351. doi: 10.1002/chem.201102806
2012
Journal Article
Taper-free and kinked germanium nanowires grown on silicon via purging and the two-temperature process
Kim, Jung Hyuk, Moon, So Ra, Kim, Yong, Chen, Zhi Gang, Zou, Jin, Choi, Duk Yong, Joyce, Hannah J., Gao, Qiang, Tan, H. Hoe and Jagadish, Chennupati (2012). Taper-free and kinked germanium nanowires grown on silicon via purging and the two-temperature process. Nanotechnology, 23 (11) 115603, 115603.1-115603.6. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/23/11/115603
2012
Journal Article
Gate-controlled surface conduction in Na-Doped Bi2Te3 topological insulator nanoplates
Wang, Yong, Xiu, Faxian, Cheng, Lina, He, Liang, Lang, Murong, Tang, Jianshi, Kou, Xufeng, Yu, Xinxin, Jiang, Xiaowei, Chen, Zhigang, Zou, Jin and Wang, Kang L. (2012). Gate-controlled surface conduction in Na-Doped Bi2Te3 topological insulator nanoplates. Nano Letters, 12 (3), 1170-1175. doi: 10.1021/nl202920p
2012
Journal Article
Yolk-shell hybrid materials with a periodic mesoporous organosilica shell: Ideal nanoreactors for selective alcohol oxidation
Liu, Jian, Yang, Heng Quan, Kleitz, Freddy, Chen, Zhi Gang, Yang, Tianyu, Strounina, Ekaterina, Lu, Gao Qing (Max) and Qiao, Shi Zhang (2012). Yolk-shell hybrid materials with a periodic mesoporous organosilica shell: Ideal nanoreactors for selective alcohol oxidation. Advanced Functional Materials, 22 (3), 591-599. doi: 10.1002/adfm.201101900
2012
Journal Article
Photocatalysis: ZnO–CdS@Cd Heterostructure for Effective Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation (Adv. Energy Mater. 1/2012)
Wang, Xuewen, Liu, Gang, Wang, Lianzhou, Chen, Zhi‐Gang, Lu, Gao Qing and Cheng, Hui‐Ming (2012). Photocatalysis: ZnO–CdS@Cd Heterostructure for Effective Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation (Adv. Energy Mater. 1/2012). Advanced Energy Materials, 2 (1), 2-2. doi: 10.1002/aenm.201290004
2012
Journal Article
ZnO-CdS@Cd heterostructure for effective photocatalytic hydrogen generation
Wang, Xuewen, Liu, Gang, Wang, Lianzhou, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Lu, Gao Qing (Max) and Cheng, Hui-Ming (2012). ZnO-CdS@Cd heterostructure for effective photocatalytic hydrogen generation. Advanced Energy Materials, 2 (1), 42-46. doi: 10.1002/aenm.201100528
2012
Journal Article
Taper-free and vertically oriented Ge nanowires on Ge/Si substrates grown by a two-temperature process
Kim, Jung Hyuk, Moon, So Ra, Yoon, Hyun Sik, Jung, Jae Hun, Kim, Yong, Chen, Zhi Gang, Zou, Jin, Choi, Duk Yong, Joyce, Hannah J., Gao, Qiang, Tan, H. Hoe and Jagadish, Chennupati (2012). Taper-free and vertically oriented Ge nanowires on Ge/Si substrates grown by a two-temperature process. Crystal Growth and Design, 12 (1), 135-141. doi: 10.1021/cg2008914
2012
Journal Article
Amino acid assisted synthesis of mesoporous TiO2 nanocrystals for high performance dye-sensitized solar cells
Wu, Xia, Liu, Jian, Chen, Zhigang, Yang, Qihua, Li, Can, Lu, Gaoqing and Wang, Lianzhou (2012). Amino acid assisted synthesis of mesoporous TiO2 nanocrystals for high performance dye-sensitized solar cells. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 22 (21), 10438-10440. doi: 10.1039/c2jm16762j
2012
Conference Publication
Effects of Au catalyst on GaAs (111)(B) surface during annealing
Liao, Z. M., Xu, H. Y., Sun, W., Guo, Y. N., Yang, L., Chen, Z. G., Zou, J., Lu, Z. Y., Chen, P. P. and Lu, W. (2012). Effects of Au catalyst on GaAs (111)(B) surface during annealing. 2012 Conference on Optoelectronic and Microelectronic Materials & Devices (COMMAD 2012), Melbourne, Australia, 12-14 December 2012. Piscataway, NJ, United States: I E E E. doi: 10.1109/COMMAD.2012.6472333
2011
Journal Article
Erratum: Field emitters: Ultrathin BN nanosheets protruded from BN fibers (Journal of Materials Chemistry ((2011) 21 (11911195) DOI 10.1039/c0jm02955f)
Chen, Zhi-Gang and Zou, Jin (2011). Erratum: Field emitters: Ultrathin BN nanosheets protruded from BN fibers (Journal of Materials Chemistry ((2011) 21 (11911195) DOI 10.1039/c0jm02955f). Journal of Materials Chemistry, 21 (48). doi: 10.1039/c1jm90181h
2011
Journal Article
Thermally oxidized formation of new Ge dots over as-grown Ge dots in the Si capping layer
Nie, Tian-Xiao, Lin, Jin-Hui, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Shao, Yuan-Min, Wu, Yue-Qin, Yang, Xin-Ju, Fan, Yong-Liang, Jiang, Zui-Min and Zou, Jin (2011). Thermally oxidized formation of new Ge dots over as-grown Ge dots in the Si capping layer. Journal of Applied Physics, 110 (11) 114304, 114304.1-114304.4. doi: 10.1063/1.3665398
2011
Journal Article
Nanosized anatase TiO2 single crystals with tunable exposed (001) facets for enhanced energy conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells
Wu, Xia, Chen, Zhigang, Lu, Gao Qing (Max) and Wang, Lianzhou (2011). Nanosized anatase TiO2 single crystals with tunable exposed (001) facets for enhanced energy conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells. Advanced Functional Materials, 21 (21), 4167-4172. doi: 10.1002/adfm.201100828
2011
Journal Article
Photocatalytic water oxidation on F, N co-doped TiO2 with dominant exposed {001} facets under visible light
Zong, Xu, Xing, Zheng, Yu, Hua, Chen, Zhigang, Tang, Fengqiu, Zou, Jin, Lu, Gao Qing and Wang, Lianzhou (2011). Photocatalytic water oxidation on F, N co-doped TiO2 with dominant exposed {001} facets under visible light. Chemical Communications, 47 (42), 11742-11744. doi: 10.1039/c1cc14453g
2011
Journal Article
Solar Cells: Nanosized Anatase TiO2 Single Crystals with Tunable Exposed (001) Facets for Enhanced Energy Conversion Efficiency of Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells (Adv. Funct. Mater. 21/2011)
Wu, Xia, Chen, Zhigang, Lu, Gao Qing and Wang, Lianzhou (2011). Solar Cells: Nanosized Anatase TiO2 Single Crystals with Tunable Exposed (001) Facets for Enhanced Energy Conversion Efficiency of Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells (Adv. Funct. Mater. 21/2011). Advanced Functional Materials, 21 (21), 4166-4166. doi: 10.1002/adfm.201190094
2011
Journal Article
Amorphous iron oxide decorated 3D heterostructured electrode for highly efficient oxygen reduction
Zhou, Wei, Ge, Lei, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Liang, Fengli, Xu, Hong-Yi, Motuzas, Julius, Julbe, Anne and Zhu, Zhonghua (2011). Amorphous iron oxide decorated 3D heterostructured electrode for highly efficient oxygen reduction. Chemistry of Materials, 23 (18), 4193-4198. doi: 10.1021/cm201439d
2011
Journal Article
A new cathode for solid oxide fuel cells capable of in situ electrochemical regeneration
Zhou, Wei, Shao, Zongping, Liang, Fengli, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Zhu, Zhonghua, Jin, Wanqin and Xu, Nanping (2011). A new cathode for solid oxide fuel cells capable of in situ electrochemical regeneration. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 21 (39), 15343-15351. doi: 10.1039/c1jm12660a
2011
Journal Article
Nitrogen doping in ion-exchangeable layered tantalate towards visible-light induced water oxidation
Zong, Xu, Sun, Chenghua, Chen, Zhigang, Mukherji, Aniruddh, Wu, Hao, Zou, Jin, Smith, Sean C., Lu, Gao Qing and Wang, Lianzhou (2011). Nitrogen doping in ion-exchangeable layered tantalate towards visible-light induced water oxidation. Chemical Communications, 47 (22), 6293-6295. doi: 10.1039/c0cc05440b
2011
Journal Article
Manipulating surface states in topological insulator nanoribbons
Xiu, Faxian, He, Liang, Wang, Yong, Cheng, Lina, Chang, Li-Te, Lang, Murong, Huang, Guan, Kou, Xufeng, Zhou, Yi, Jiang, Xiaowei, Chen, Zhigang, Zou, Jin, Shailos, Alexandros and Wang, Kang L. (2011). Manipulating surface states in topological insulator nanoribbons. Nature Nanotechnology, 6 (4), 216-221. doi: 10.1038/nnano.2011.19
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
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
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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