Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
Honorary Professor Zhi-Gang Chen
Honorary Professor

Zhi-Gang Chen

Email: 
Phone: 
*

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

  • 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.

  • 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

504 works between 2005 and 2025

461 - 480 of 504 works

2010

Journal Article

Highly efficient H-2 evolution over ZnO-ZnS-CdS heterostructures from an aqueous solution containing SO32- and S2-ions

Wang, Xuewen, Liu, Gang, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Li, Feng, Lu, Gao Qing and Cheng, Hui-Ming (2010). Highly efficient H-2 evolution over ZnO-ZnS-CdS heterostructures from an aqueous solution containing SO32- and S2-ions. Journal of Materials Research, 25 (1), 39-44. doi: 10.1557/JMR.2010.0018

Highly efficient H-2 evolution over ZnO-ZnS-CdS heterostructures from an aqueous solution containing SO32- and S2-ions

2010

Journal Article

Synthesis of GaPO4-GaN coaxial nanowires

Fu, Lutang, Chen, Zhigang and Cong, Hongtao (2010). Synthesis of GaPO4-GaN coaxial nanowires. Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 26 (1), 15-19. doi: 10.1016/S1005-0302(10)60002-3

Synthesis of GaPO4-GaN coaxial nanowires

2009

Journal Article

Ti-Zr-O nanotube arrays with controlled morphology, crystal structure and optical properties

Liu, Gang, Lu, Haofeng, Chen, Zhigang, Li, Feng, Wang, Lianzhou, Watts, Josh, Lu, Gao Qing and Cheng, Hui-Ming (2009). Ti-Zr-O nanotube arrays with controlled morphology, crystal structure and optical properties. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 9 (11), 6501-6510. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2009.1317

Ti-Zr-O nanotube arrays with controlled morphology, crystal structure and optical properties

2009

Journal Article

Synthesis, Purification and Opening of Short Cup-Stacked Carbon Nanotubes

Liu, Qingfeng, Ren, Wencai, Liu, Bilu, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Li, Feng, Cong, Hongtao and Cheng, Hui-Ming (2009). Synthesis, Purification and Opening of Short Cup-Stacked Carbon Nanotubes. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 9 (8), 4554-4560. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2009.223

Synthesis, Purification and Opening of Short Cup-Stacked Carbon Nanotubes

2009

Journal Article

Fabrication of graphene/polyaniline composite paper via in situ anodic electropolymerization for high-performance flexible electrode

Wang. Da-Wei, Li, Feng, Zhao, Jinping, Ren, Wencai, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Tan, Jun, Wu, Zhong-Shuai, Gentle, Ian, Lu, Gao Qing and Cheng, Hui-Ming (2009). Fabrication of graphene/polyaniline composite paper via in situ anodic electropolymerization for high-performance flexible electrode. ACS Nano, 3 (7), 1745-1752. doi: 10.1021/nn900297m

Fabrication of graphene/polyaniline composite paper via in situ anodic electropolymerization for high-performance flexible electrode

2009

Journal Article

Synthesis of rutile-anatase core-shell structured TiO2 for photocatalysis

Liu, G., Yan, X., Chen, Z., Wang, X., Wang, L., Lu, G. Q. and Cheng, H. M. (2009). Synthesis of rutile-anatase core-shell structured TiO2 for photocatalysis. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 19 (36), 6590-6596. doi: 10.1039/b902666e

Synthesis of rutile-anatase core-shell structured TiO2 for photocatalysis

2009

Journal Article

Efficient and stable photocatalytic H-2 evolution from water splitting by (Cd0.8Zn0.2)S nanorods

Wang, Xuewen, Liu, Gang, Chen, Zhi-Gang., Li, Feng, Lu, Gao Quing and Cheng, Hui Ming (2009). Efficient and stable photocatalytic H-2 evolution from water splitting by (Cd0.8Zn0.2)S nanorods. Electrochemistry Communications, 11 (6), 1174-1178. doi: 10.1016/j.elecom.2009.03.041

Efficient and stable photocatalytic H-2 evolution from water splitting by (Cd0.8Zn0.2)S nanorods

2009

Journal Article

Drastically enhanced photocatalytic activity in nitrogen doped mesoporous TiO2 with abundant surface states

Liu, G., Wang, X., Wang, L., Chen, Z., Li, F., Lu, G. and Cheng, H. (2009). Drastically enhanced photocatalytic activity in nitrogen doped mesoporous TiO2 with abundant surface states. JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE, 334 (2), 171-175. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2009.02.047

Drastically enhanced photocatalytic activity in nitrogen doped mesoporous TiO2 with abundant surface states

2009

Journal Article

Iodine doped anatase TiO2 photocatalyst with ultra-long visible light response: correlation between geometric/electronic structures and mechanisms

Liu, G., Sun, C., Yan, X., Cheng, L., Chen, Z., Wang, X., Wang, L., Smith, S., Lu, G. and Cheng, H. (2009). Iodine doped anatase TiO2 photocatalyst with ultra-long visible light response: correlation between geometric/electronic structures and mechanisms. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY, 19 (18), 2822-2829. doi: 10.1039/b820816f

Iodine doped anatase TiO2 photocatalyst with ultra-long visible light response: correlation between geometric/electronic structures and mechanisms

2009

Journal Article

Band-to-band visible-light photon excitation and photoactivity induced by homogeneous nitrogen doping in layered titanates

Liu, Gang, Wang, Lianzhou, Sun, Chenghua, Yan, Xiaoxia, Wang, Xuewen, Chen, Zhigang, Smith, Sean C., Cheng, Hui-Ming and Lu, Gao Qing (2009). Band-to-band visible-light photon excitation and photoactivity induced by homogeneous nitrogen doping in layered titanates. Chemistry of Materials, 21 (7), 1266-1274. doi: 10.1021/cm802986r

Band-to-band visible-light photon excitation and photoactivity induced by homogeneous nitrogen doping in layered titanates

2009

Journal Article

Synthesis and Photoelectrochemical Behavior of Nitrogen-doped NaTaO3

Wang, X., Liu, G., Chen, Z., Li, F., Lu, G. Q. and Cheng, H. (2009). Synthesis and Photoelectrochemical Behavior of Nitrogen-doped NaTaO3. Chemistry Letters, 38 (3), 214-215. doi: 10.1246/cl.2009.214

Synthesis and Photoelectrochemical Behavior of Nitrogen-doped NaTaO3

2009

Journal Article

Semiconducting properties of cup-stacked carbon nanotubes

Liu, Qingfeng, Ren, Wencai, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Yin, Lichang, Li, Feng, Cong, Hongtao and Cheng, Hui-Ming (2009). Semiconducting properties of cup-stacked carbon nanotubes. Carbon, 47 (3), 731-736. doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2008.11.005

Semiconducting properties of cup-stacked carbon nanotubes

2009

Journal Article

In Situ Assembly of Multi-Sheeted Buckybooks from Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Liu, Qingfeng, Ren, Wencai, Wang, Da-Wei, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Pei, Songfeng, Liu, Bilu, Li, Feng, Cong, Hongtao, Liu, Chang and Cheng, Hui-Ming (2009). In Situ Assembly of Multi-Sheeted Buckybooks from Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes. ACS Nano, 3 (3), 707-713. doi: 10.1021/nn800852n

In Situ Assembly of Multi-Sheeted Buckybooks from Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

2009

Journal Article

Field emission and cathodoluminescence of ZnS hexagonal pyramids of zinc blende structured single crystals

Chen, Zhi-Gang, Zou, Jin, Wang, Dai-Wei, Yin, Li-Chang, Liu, Gang, Liu, Qingfeng, Sun, Cheng-Hua, Yao, Xiangdong, Li, Feng, Yuan, Xiao-Li, Sekiguchi, Takashi, Lu, Gao Qing and Cheng, Hui-Ming (2009). Field emission and cathodoluminescence of ZnS hexagonal pyramids of zinc blende structured single crystals. Advanced Functional Materials, 19 (3), 484-490. doi: 10.1002/adfm.200801178

Field emission and cathodoluminescence of ZnS hexagonal pyramids of zinc blende structured single crystals

2009

Journal Article

The role of crystal phase in determining photocatalytic activity of nitrogen doped TiO2

Liu, Gang, Wang, Xuewen, Chen, Zhigang, Cheng, Hui-Ming and Lu, Gao Qing (Max) (2009). The role of crystal phase in determining photocatalytic activity of nitrogen doped TiO2. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 329 (2), 331-338. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2008.09.061

The role of crystal phase in determining photocatalytic activity of nitrogen doped TiO2

2009

Journal Article

Nitrogen-doped titania nanosheets towards visible light response

Liu, G., Wang, L., Sun, C., Chen, Z., Yan, X., Cheng, L., Cheng, H. and Lu, G. (2009). Nitrogen-doped titania nanosheets towards visible light response. CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS, - (11), 1383-1385. doi: 10.1039/b820483g

Nitrogen-doped titania nanosheets towards visible light response

2009

Journal Article

Long wavelength emissions of periodic yard-glass shaped boron nitride nanotubes

Chen, Zhi-Gang, Zou, Jin, Liu, Gang, Li, Feng, Cheng, Hui-Ming, Sekiguchi, Takashi, Gu, Min, Yao, Xiang-Dong, Wang, Lian-Zhou and Lu, Gao Qing (2009). Long wavelength emissions of periodic yard-glass shaped boron nitride nanotubes. Applied Physics Letters, 94 (2) 023105, 023105.1-023105.3. doi: 10.1063/1.3069278

Long wavelength emissions of periodic yard-glass shaped boron nitride nanotubes

2009

Journal Article

Enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution by prolonging the lifetime of carriers in ZnO/CdS heterostructures

Wang, X.W., Liu, G., Chen, Z.G., Li, F., Wang, L.Z., Lu, G.Q. and Cheng, H.M. (2009). Enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution by prolonging the lifetime of carriers in ZnO/CdS heterostructures. Chemical Communications (23), 3452-3454. doi: 10.1039/b904668b

Enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution by prolonging the lifetime of carriers in ZnO/CdS heterostructures

2009

Journal Article

A General Single-Source Route for the Preparation of Hollow Nanoporous Metal Oxide Structures

Wang, L. Z., Tang, F. Q., Ozawa, K., Chen, Z. G., Mukherj, A., Zhu, Y. C., Zou, J., Cheng, H. M. and Lu, G. Q. (2009). A General Single-Source Route for the Preparation of Hollow Nanoporous Metal Oxide Structures. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 48 (38), 7048-7051. doi: 10.1002/anie.200900539

A General Single-Source Route for the Preparation of Hollow Nanoporous Metal Oxide Structures

2008

Journal Article

Aligned Titania Nanotubes as an Intercalation Anode Material for Hybrid Electrochemical Energy Storage

Wang, Da-Wei, Fang, Hai-Tao, Li, Feng, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Zhong, Qi-Sheng, Lu, Gao Qing and Cheng, Hui-Ming (2008). Aligned Titania Nanotubes as an Intercalation Anode Material for Hybrid Electrochemical Energy Storage. Advanced Functional Materials, 18 (23), 3787-3793. doi: 10.1002/adfm.200800635

Aligned Titania Nanotubes as an Intercalation Anode Material for Hybrid Electrochemical Energy Storage

Funding

Past funding

  • 2018 - 2021
    High Performance, Low-cost Integrated System for Low-grade Wast Heat Recovery
    HBIS Group Co, Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Development of High Performance Nanostructured (Bi, Sb)2Te3 Nanomaterials
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Smart Futures Fellowship (Early): Development of high-efficiency thermoelectric nanowire arrays for power generation devices
    Queensland Government Smart Futures Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Queensland International Fellowship: Towards power generation devices for converting waste heat into power energy
    Queensland International Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Epitaxial Growth of Nanostructured Thermoelectric Zn4Sb3 p-n Junction Heterostructure Arrays for Power-Generation Devices
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    An integrated system for measuring thermoelectric properties of advanced materials
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Development of Nanostructured Sensors for Ultra-sensitive, Label-free and Selective Detection of Biological and Chemical Species
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Development of Nanostructured Thermoelectric Materials for Power-Generation Devices
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Development of silicon nanowire sensors for detection of chemical species
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Epitaxial growth of Zn-VI/III-N nanowire-based structures for future device applications
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

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

  • 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.

  • 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

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Honorary Professor Zhi-Gang Chen directly for media enquiries about:

  • Engineering
  • Light electronics
  • Lights
  • Nanomaterials
  • Nanostructures
  • Optoelectronic devices

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au