
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
2021
Journal Article
Molybdenum-promoted surface reconstruction in polymorphic cobalt for initiating rapid oxygen evolution
Bai, Juan, Mei, Jun, Liao, Ting, Sun, Qiang, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Sun, Ziqi (2021). Molybdenum-promoted surface reconstruction in polymorphic cobalt for initiating rapid oxygen evolution. Advanced Energy Materials, 12 (5) 2103247, 2103247. doi: 10.1002/aenm.202103247
2021
Journal Article
Enhanced thermoelectric performance in MXene/SnTe nanocomposites synthesized via a facile one-step solvothermal method
Jiang, Xu-Ping, Tian, Bang-Zhou, Sun, Qiang, Li, Xu-Liang, Chen, Jie, Tang, Jun, Zhang, Ping, Yang, Lei and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Enhanced thermoelectric performance in MXene/SnTe nanocomposites synthesized via a facile one-step solvothermal method. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 304 122605, 122605. doi: 10.1016/j.jssc.2021.122605
2021
Journal Article
Thermoelectric coolers as thermal management systems for medical applications: design, optimization, and advancement
Zaferani, Sadeq Hooshmand, Sams, Michael W., Ghomashchi, Reza and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Thermoelectric coolers as thermal management systems for medical applications: design, optimization, and advancement. Nano Energy, 90 106572, 106572. doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106572
2021
Journal Article
Two-dimensional flexible thermoelectric devices: Using modeling to deliver optimal capability
Xu, Shengduo, Hong, Min, Li, Meng, Sun, Qiang, Yin, Yu, Liu, Weidi, Shi, Xiaolei, Dargusch, Matthew, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Two-dimensional flexible thermoelectric devices: Using modeling to deliver optimal capability. Applied Physics Reviews, 8 (4) 041404, 1-8. doi: 10.1063/5.0067930
2021
Journal Article
In-situ growth of high-performance (Ag, Sn) co-doped CoSb3 thermoelectric thin films
Zheng, Zhuang-Hao, Niu, Jun-Yun, Ao, Dong-Wei, Jabar, Bushra, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Li, Xin-Ru, Li, Fu, Liang, Guang-Xing, Chen, Yue-Xing, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Fan, Ping (2021). In-situ growth of high-performance (Ag, Sn) co-doped CoSb3 thermoelectric thin films. Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 92, 178-185. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2021.04.007
2021
Journal Article
Ce filling limit and its influence on thermoelectric performance of Fe3CoSb12-based skutterudite grown by a temperature gradient zone melting method
Li, Xu-Guang, Liu, Wei-Di, Li, Shuang-Ming, Li, Dou, Zhu, Jia-Xi, Feng, Zhen-Yu, Yang, Bin, Zhong, Hong, Shi, Xiao-Lei and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Ce filling limit and its influence on thermoelectric performance of Fe3CoSb12-based skutterudite grown by a temperature gradient zone melting method. Materials, 14 (22) 6810, 6810. doi: 10.3390/ma14226810
2021
Journal Article
Impurity removal leading to high-performance CoSb3-based skutterudites with synergistic carrier concentration optimization and thermal conductivity reduction
Li, Xu-Guang, Liu, Wei-Di, Li, Shuang-Ming, Li, Dou, Zhong, Hong and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Impurity removal leading to high-performance CoSb3-based skutterudites with synergistic carrier concentration optimization and thermal conductivity reduction. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 13 (45) acsami.1c16622, 54185-54193. doi: 10.1021/acsami.1c16622
2021
Journal Article
Simultaneously enhanced strength and plasticity of Ag2Se-based thermoelectric materials endowed by nano-twinned CuAgSe secondary phase
Chen, Jie, Sun, Qiang, Bao, Deyu, Tian, Bang-Zhou, Wang, Zegao, Tang, Jun, Zhou, Dali, Yang, Lei and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Simultaneously enhanced strength and plasticity of Ag2Se-based thermoelectric materials endowed by nano-twinned CuAgSe secondary phase. Acta Materialia, 220 117335, 117335. doi: 10.1016/j.actamat.2021.117335
2021
Journal Article
Environmentally-friendly harvesting TiO2 nanospheres and V2O5 microrods from spent selective catalytic reduction catalysts
Chen, Hua-Jun, Wang, Rui, Yang, Yan-Ling, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Lu, Siyu and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Environmentally-friendly harvesting TiO2 nanospheres and V2O5 microrods from spent selective catalytic reduction catalysts. Progress in Natural Science: Materials International, 31 (6), 858-864. doi: 10.1016/j.pnsc.2021.10.002
2021
Journal Article
Enhanced thermoelectric performance of SnTe-based materials via interface engineering
Tian, Bang-Zhou, Chen, Jie, Jiang, Xu-Ping, Tang, Jun, Zhou, Da-Li, Sun, Qiang, Yang, Lei and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Enhanced thermoelectric performance of SnTe-based materials via interface engineering. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 13 (42) acsami.1c16053, 50057-50064. doi: 10.1021/acsami.1c16053
2021
Journal Article
Advances and challenges in 2D MXenes: from structures to energy storage and conversions
Meng, Weixue, Liu, Xingjiang, Song, Haoqiang, Xie, Yu, Shi, Xiaolei, Dargusch, Matthew, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Tang, Zhiyong and Lu, Siyu (2021). Advances and challenges in 2D MXenes: from structures to energy storage and conversions. Nano Today, 40 101273, 101273. doi: 10.1016/j.nantod.2021.101273
2021
Journal Article
Advances in conducting polymer-based thermoelectric materials and devices
Cao, Tianyi, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Advances in conducting polymer-based thermoelectric materials and devices. Microstructures, 1 (1) 2021007. doi: 10.20517/microstructures.2021.06
2021
Journal Article
Synergistic band convergence and defect engineering boost thermoelectric performance of SnTe
Dong, Ximeng, Cui, Wenlin, Liu, Wei-Di, Zheng, Shuqi, Gao, Lei, Yue, Luo, Wu, Yue, Wang, Boyi, Zhang, Zipei, Chen, Liqiang and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Synergistic band convergence and defect engineering boost thermoelectric performance of SnTe. Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 86, 204-209. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2021.01.040
2021
Journal Article
Quasi-vertically oriented Sb2Se3 thin-film solar cells with open-circuit voltage exceeding 500 mV prepared via close-space sublimation and selenization
Fan, Ping, Chen, Guo-Jie, Chen, Shuo, Zheng, Zhuang-Hao, Azam, Muhammad, Ahmad, Nafees, Su, Zheng-Hua, Liang, Guang-Xing, Zhang, Xiang-Hua and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Quasi-vertically oriented Sb2Se3 thin-film solar cells with open-circuit voltage exceeding 500 mV prepared via close-space sublimation and selenization. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 13 (39) acsami.1c13223, 46671-46680. doi: 10.1021/acsami.1c13223
2021
Journal Article
Synergistic texturing and Bi/Sb‐Te antisite doping secure high thermoelectric performance in Bi0.5 Sb1.5 Te3 ‐ based thin films
Tan, Ming, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Liu, Wei‐Di, Li, Meng, Wang, Yaling, Li, Hui, Deng, Yuan and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2021). Synergistic texturing and Bi/Sb‐Te antisite doping secure high thermoelectric performance in Bi0.5 Sb1.5 Te3 ‐ based thin films. Advanced Energy Materials, 11 (40) 2102578, 2102578. doi: 10.1002/aenm.202102578
2021
Journal Article
Ternary Ag2Se1–xTex: a near-room-temperature thermoelectric material with a potentially high figure of merit
Chen, Jie, Yuan, Hualei, Zhu, Yu-Ke, Zheng, Kun, Ge, Zhen-Hua, Tang, Jun, Zhou, Dali, Yang, Lei and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Ternary Ag2Se1–xTex: a near-room-temperature thermoelectric material with a potentially high figure of merit. Inorganic Chemistry, 60 (18) acs.inorgchem.1c01563, 14165-14173. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c01563
2021
Journal Article
Boosting the thermoelectric performance of n-type Bi2S3 by hierarchical structure manipulation and carrier density optimization
Ji, Wenting, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Liu, Wei-Di, Yuan, Hualei, Zheng, Kun, Wan, Biao, Shen, Weixia, Zhang, Zhuangfei, Fang, Chao, Wang, Qianqian, Chen, Liangchao, Zhang, Yuewen, Jia, Xiaopeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Boosting the thermoelectric performance of n-type Bi2S3 by hierarchical structure manipulation and carrier density optimization. Nano Energy, 87 106171, 106171. doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106171
2021
Journal Article
Self-standing and high-performance B4C/Sn/acetylene black@reduced graphene oxide films as sodium-ion half/full battery anodes
Sun, Yu, Yang, Yanling, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Suo, Guoquan, Lu, Siyu and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Self-standing and high-performance B4C/Sn/acetylene black@reduced graphene oxide films as sodium-ion half/full battery anodes. Applied Materials Today, 24 101137, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.apmt.2021.101137
2021
Journal Article
Full-spectrum responsive photocatalytic activity via non-noble metal Bi decorated mulberry-like BiVO4
Bi, Yaxin, Yang, Yanling, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Feng, Lei, Hou, Xiaojiang, Ye, Xiaohui, Zhang, Li, Suo, Guoquan, Lu, Siyu and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Full-spectrum responsive photocatalytic activity via non-noble metal Bi decorated mulberry-like BiVO4. Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 83, 102-112. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2020.11.079
2021
Journal Article
Low lattice thermal conductivity and enhanced thermoelectric performance of SnTe via chemical electroless plating of Ag
Tian, Bang-Zhou, Jiang, Xu-Ping, Chen, Jie, Gao, Han, Wang, Ze-Gao, Tang, Jun, Zhou, Da-Li, Yang, Lei and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Low lattice thermal conductivity and enhanced thermoelectric performance of SnTe via chemical electroless plating of Ag. Rare Metals, 41 (1), 86-95. doi: 10.1007/s12598-021-01805-1
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
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 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
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
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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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