
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
2008
Journal Article
Synthesis and Electrochemical Property of Boron-Doped Mesoporous Carbon in Supercapacitor
Wang, Da-Wei, Li, Feng, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Lu, Gao Qing and Cheng, Hui-Ming (2008). Synthesis and Electrochemical Property of Boron-Doped Mesoporous Carbon in Supercapacitor. Chemistry of Materials, 20 (22), 7195-7200. doi: 10.1021/cm801729y
2008
Journal Article
Synthesis of different magnetic carbon nanostructures by the pyrolysis of ferrocene at different sublimation temperatures
Liu, Qingfeng, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Liu, Bilu, Ren, Wencai, Li, Feng, Cong, Hongtao and Cheng, Hui-Ming (2008). Synthesis of different magnetic carbon nanostructures by the pyrolysis of ferrocene at different sublimation temperatures. Carbon, 46 (14), 1892-1902. doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2008.07.038
2008
Journal Article
Novel boron nitride hollow nanoribbons
Chen, Zhi-Gang, Zou, Jin, Liu, Gang, Li, Feng, Wang, Yong, Wang, Lianzhou, Yuan, Xiao-Li, Sekiguchi, Takashi, Cheng, Hui-Ming and Lu, Gao Qing (2008). Novel boron nitride hollow nanoribbons. ACS Nano, 2 (10), 2183-2191. doi: 10.1021/nn8004922
2008
Journal Article
Growth, Cathodoluminescence and Field Emission of ZnS Tetrapod Tree-like Heterostructures
Chen, Zhi-Gang, Zou, Jin, Liu, Gang, Yao, Xiangdong, Li, Feng, Yuan, Xiao-Li, Sekiguchi, Takashi, Lu, Gao Qing and Cheng, Hui-Ming (2008). Growth, Cathodoluminescence and Field Emission of ZnS Tetrapod Tree-like Heterostructures. Advanced Functional Materials, 18 (19), 3063-3069. doi: 10.1002/adfm.200800447
2008
Journal Article
Amorphous TiO2 nanotube arrays for low-temperature oxygen sensors
Lu, Hao Feng, Li, Feng, Liu, Gang, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Wang, Da-Wei, Fang, Hai-Tao, Lu, Gao Qing, Jiang, Zhou Hua and Cheng, Hui-Ming (2008). Amorphous TiO2 nanotube arrays for low-temperature oxygen sensors. Nanotechnology, 19 (40) 405504, Article Number: 405504. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/19/40/405504
2008
Journal Article
Self-assembly and cathodoluminescence of microbelts from Cu-doped boron nitride nanotubes
Chen, Zhi-Gang, Zou, Jin, Liu, Qingfeng, Sun, Chenghua, Liu, Gang, Yao, Xiangdong, Li, Feng, Wu, Bo, Yuan, Xiao-Li, Sekiguchi, Takashi, Cheng, Hui-Ming and Lu, Gao Qing (2008). Self-assembly and cathodoluminescence of microbelts from Cu-doped boron nitride nanotubes. ACS Nano, 2 (8), 1523-1532. doi: 10.1021/nn800211z
2008
Journal Article
Diameter-selective growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes with high quality by floating catalyst method
Liu, Qingfeng, Ren, Wencai, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Wang, Da-Wei, Liu, Bilu, Li, Feng, Cong, Hongtao, Cheng, Hui-Ming and Yu, Bing (2008). Diameter-selective growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes with high quality by floating catalyst method. ACS Nano, 2 (8), 1722-1728. doi: 10.1021/nn8003394
2008
Journal Article
Direct synthesis of carbon nanotubes decorated with size-controllable Fe nanoparticles encapsulated by graphitic layers
Liu, Qingfeng, Ren, Wencai, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Liu, Bilu, Li, Feng, Cong, Hongtao and Cheng, Hui-Ming (2008). Direct synthesis of carbon nanotubes decorated with size-controllable Fe nanoparticles encapsulated by graphitic layers. Carbon, 4 6 (11), 1417-1423. doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2008.06.021
2008
Journal Article
Magnetic hollow spheres of periodic mesoporous organosilica and Fe3O4 nanocrystals: Fabrication and structure control
Zhang, L., Qiao, S., Jin, Y., Chen, Z. G., Gu, H. and Lu, G. Q. (2008). Magnetic hollow spheres of periodic mesoporous organosilica and Fe3O4 nanocrystals: Fabrication and structure control. Advanced Materials, 20 (4), 805-810. doi: 10.1002/adma.200700900
Funding
Supervision
Availability
- Honorary Professor Zhi-Gang Chen is:
- Available for supervision
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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
Advanced Microscopy Technique for High-performance 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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2025
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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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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