Overview
Background
Dr. Xiangkang Zeng is an ARC DECRA Research Fellow at the UQ Dow Centre within the School of Chemical Engineering at The University of Queensland. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Monash University, Australia, in 2017. Prior to that, he pursued his studies at Jiangnan University in China, attaining a Master's Degree in Fermentation Engineering in 2012 and a Bachelor's Degree in Biological Engineering in 2010.
Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Zeng conducted postdoctoral research training at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) from 2017 to 2018. Subsequently, he held the position of Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Monash University, Australia, from November 2018 to July 2022.
Dr. Zeng's current research endeavors center around the development of two-dimensional functional photocatalysts, such as graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and covalent-organic frameworks (COFs). His primary focus lies in exploring their applications in solar-to-chemical energy conversion, water treatment, and antibacterial purposes.
As a testament to his contributions, Dr. Zeng has authored over 35 papers in prestigious journals, including Advanced Functional Materials, ACS Catalysis, Angewandte Chemie, Applied Catalysis B, Water Research, Chemical Engineering Journal, and Green Chemistry, both as the first author and co-author.
Availability
- Dr Xiangkang Zeng is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Research impacts
Dr. Zeng has recently pioneered the creation of an efficient catalyst designed for disinfecting bacteria in water using sunlight irradiation. This groundbreaking research has garnered significant attention from national and international media outlets, including prominent platforms such as EcoVoice, Phys.org, Scimex, and more.
Works
Search Professor Xiangkang Zeng’s works on UQ eSpace
2021
Journal Article
Photoredox catalysis over semiconductors for light-driven hydrogen peroxide production
Zeng, Xiangkang, Liu, Yue, Hu, Xiaoyi and Zhang, Xiwang (2021). Photoredox catalysis over semiconductors for light-driven hydrogen peroxide production. Green Chemistry, 23 (4), 1466-1494. doi: 10.1039/d0gc04236f
2020
Journal Article
Modulating mesoporous Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> hollow nanospheres with oxygen vacancies for highly efficient peroxymonosulfate activation
Hu, Jian, Zeng, Xiangkang, Wang, Gen, Qian, Binbin, Liu, Yue, Hu, Xiaoyi, He, Brandon, Zhang, Lian and Zhang, Xiwang (2020). Modulating mesoporous Co3O4 hollow nanospheres with oxygen vacancies for highly efficient peroxymonosulfate activation. Chemical Engineering Journal, 400 125869, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.125869
2020
Journal Article
2D/2D heterostructured photocatalyst: Rational design for energy and environmental applications 二维/二维异质结光催化剂: 合理设计与能源和环境应用
Hou, Huilin, Zeng, Xiangkang and Zhang, Xiwang (2020). 2D/2D heterostructured photocatalyst: Rational design for energy and environmental applications 二维/二维异质结光催化剂: 合理设计与能源和环境应用. Science China Materials, 63 (11), 2119-2152. doi: 10.1007/s40843-019-1256-0
2020
Journal Article
Cooperatively modulating reactive oxygen species generation and bacteria-photocatalyst contact over graphitic carbon nitride by polyethylenimine for rapid water disinfection
Zeng, Xiangkang, Liu, Yue, Xia, Yun, Uddin, Md Hemayet, Xia, Dehua, McCarthy, David T., Deletic, Ana, Yu, Jiaguo and Zhang, Xiwang (2020). Cooperatively modulating reactive oxygen species generation and bacteria-photocatalyst contact over graphitic carbon nitride by polyethylenimine for rapid water disinfection. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 274 119095, 119095. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2020.119095
2020
Journal Article
Nano-layer based 1T-rich MoS2/g-C3N4 co-catalyst system for enhanced photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical activity
Hu, Xiaoyi, Zeng, Xiangkang, Liu, Yue, Lu, Jun, Yuan, Shi, Yin, Yichun, Hu, Jian, McCarthy, David T. and Zhang, Xiwang (2020). Nano-layer based 1T-rich MoS2/g-C3N4 co-catalyst system for enhanced photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical activity. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 268 118466, 118466. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2019.118466
2020
Journal Article
Production of hydrogen peroxide by photocatalytic processes
Hou, Huilin, Zeng, Xiangkang and Zhang, Xiwang (2020). Production of hydrogen peroxide by photocatalytic processes. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 59 (40), 17356-17376. doi: 10.1002/anie.201911609
2020
Journal Article
An: in situ assembled WO3-TiO2 vertical heterojunction for enhanced Z-scheme photocatalytic activity
Liu, Yue, Zeng, Xiangkang, Easton, Christopher D., Li, Qinye, Xia, Yun, Yin, Yichun, Hu, Xiaoyi, Hu, Jian, Xia, Dehua, McCarthy, David T., Deletic, Ana, Sun, Chenghua, Yu, Jiaguo and Zhang, Xiwang (2020). An: in situ assembled WO3-TiO2 vertical heterojunction for enhanced Z-scheme photocatalytic activity. Nanoscale, 12 (16), 8775-8784. doi: 10.1039/d0nr01611j
2020
Journal Article
Simultaneously tuning charge separation and oxygen reduction pathway on graphitic carbon nitride by polyethylenimine for boosted photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production
Zeng, Xiangkang, Liu, Yue, Kang, Yuan, Li, Qinye, Xia, Yun, Zhu, Yinlong, Hou, Huilin, Uddin, Md Hemayet, Gengenbach, Thomas R., Xia, Dehua, Sun, Chenghua, Mccarthy, David T., Deletic, Ana, Yu, Jiaguo and Zhang, Xiwang (2020). Simultaneously tuning charge separation and oxygen reduction pathway on graphitic carbon nitride by polyethylenimine for boosted photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production. ACS Catalysis, 10 (6), 3697-3706. doi: 10.1021/acscatal.9b05247
2020
Journal Article
Carbon-based materials for photo- and electrocatalytic synthesis of hydrogen peroxide
Hu, Xiaoyi, Zeng, Xiangkang, Liu, Yue, Lu, Jun and Zhang, Xiwang (2020). Carbon-based materials for photo- and electrocatalytic synthesis of hydrogen peroxide. Nanoscale, 12 (30), 16008-16027. doi: 10.1039/d0nr03178j
2020
Journal Article
Accelerated alkaline activation of peroxydisulfate by reduced rubidium tungstate nanorods for enhanced degradation of bisphenol A
Hu, Jian, Zeng, Xiangkang, Yin, Yichun, Liu, Yue, Li, Yang, Hu, Xiaoyi, Zhang, Lian and Zhang, Xiwang (2020). Accelerated alkaline activation of peroxydisulfate by reduced rubidium tungstate nanorods for enhanced degradation of bisphenol A. Environmental Science: Nano, 7 (11), 3547-3556. doi: 10.1039/d0en00840k
2019
Journal Article
Two-dimensional g-C3N4/TiO2 nanocomposites as vertical Z-scheme heterojunction for improved photocatalytic water disinfection
Liu, Yue, Zeng, Xiangkang, Hu, Xiaoyi, Hu, Jian, Wang, Zhouyou, Yin, Yichun, Sun, Chenghua and Zhang, Xiwang (2019). Two-dimensional g-C3N4/TiO2 nanocomposites as vertical Z-scheme heterojunction for improved photocatalytic water disinfection. Catalysis Today, 335, 243-251. doi: 10.1016/j.cattod.2018.11.053
2019
Journal Article
Reusable magnetic Ag/Fe, N-TiO2/Fe3O4@SiO2 composite for simultaneous photocatalytic disinfection of E. coli and degradation of bisphenol A in sewage under visible light
He, Juhua, Zeng, Xiangkang, Lan, Shenyu and Lo, Irene M.C. (2019). Reusable magnetic Ag/Fe, N-TiO2/Fe3O4@SiO2 composite for simultaneous photocatalytic disinfection of E. coli and degradation of bisphenol A in sewage under visible light. Chemosphere, 217, 869-878. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.11.072
2019
Journal Article
Enhanced trimethoxypyrimidine degradation by piezophotocatalysis of BaTiO3/Ag3PO4 using mechanical vibration and visible light simultaneously
Lan, Shenyu, Zeng, Xiangkang, Rather, Rayees Ahmad and Lo, Irene Man Chi (2019). Enhanced trimethoxypyrimidine degradation by piezophotocatalysis of BaTiO3/Ag3PO4 using mechanical vibration and visible light simultaneously. Environmental Science: Nano, 6 (2), 554-564. doi: 10.1039/c8en01192c
2019
Journal Article
Two-dimensional nanomaterials for photocatalytic water disinfection: recent progress and future challenges
Liu, Yue, Zeng, Xiangkang, Hu, Xiaoyi, Hu, Jian and Zhang, Xiwang (2019). Two-dimensional nanomaterials for photocatalytic water disinfection: recent progress and future challenges. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 94 (1), 22-37. doi: 10.1002/jctb.5779
2019
Journal Article
Rapid disinfection of E. coli by a ternary BiVO4/Ag/g-C3N4 composite under visible light: photocatalytic mechanism and performance investigation in authentic sewage
Zeng, Xiangkang, Lan, Shenyu and Lo, Irene M. C. (2019). Rapid disinfection of E. coli by a ternary BiVO4/Ag/g-C3N4 composite under visible light: photocatalytic mechanism and performance investigation in authentic sewage. Environmental Science: Nano, 6 (2), 610-623. doi: 10.1039/c8en01283k
2018
Journal Article
Development of g-C3N4/TiO2/Fe3O4@SiO2 heterojunction via sol-gel route: a magnetically recyclable direct contact Z-scheme nanophotocatalyst for enhanced photocatalytic removal of ibuprofen from real sewage effluent under visible light
Kumar, Ashutosh, Khan, Musharib, Zeng, Xiangkang and Lo, Irene M.C. (2018). Development of g-C3N4/TiO2/Fe3O4@SiO2 heterojunction via sol-gel route: a magnetically recyclable direct contact Z-scheme nanophotocatalyst for enhanced photocatalytic removal of ibuprofen from real sewage effluent under visible light. Chemical Engineering Journal, 353, 645-656. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2018.07.153
2018
Journal Article
A low-pressure GO nanofiltration membrane crosslinked via ethylenediamine
Meng, Na, Zhao, Wang, Shamsaei, Ezzatollah, Wang, Gen, Zeng, Xiangkang, Lin, Xiaocheng, Xu, Tongwen, Wang, Huanting and Zhang, Xiwang (2018). A low-pressure GO nanofiltration membrane crosslinked via ethylenediamine. Journal of Membrane Science, 548, 363-371. doi: 10.1016/j.memsci.2017.11.044
2018
Journal Article
Vertically-heterostructured TiO2-Ag-rGO ternary nanocomposite constructed with {001} facetted TiO2 nanosheets for enhanced Pt-free hydrogen production
Wang, Zhouyou, Low, Ze-Xian, Zeng, Xiangkang, Su, Bin, Yin, Yichun, Sun, Chenghua, Williams, Tim, Wang, Huanting and Zhang, Xiwang (2018). Vertically-heterostructured TiO2-Ag-rGO ternary nanocomposite constructed with {001} facetted TiO2 nanosheets for enhanced Pt-free hydrogen production. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 43 (3), 1508-1515. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.11.053
2017
Journal Article
Highly dispersed TiO2 nanocrystals and carbon dots on reduced graphene oxide: ternary nanocomposites for accelerated photocatalytic water disinfection
Zeng, Xiangkang, Wang, Zhouyou, Meng, Na, McCarthy, David T., Deletic, Ana, Pan, Jia-hong and Zhang, Xiwang (2017). Highly dispersed TiO2 nanocrystals and carbon dots on reduced graphene oxide: ternary nanocomposites for accelerated photocatalytic water disinfection. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 202, 33-41. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2016.09.014
2017
Journal Article
Graphene-based antimicrobial nanomaterials: rational design and applications for water disinfection and microbial control
Zeng, Xiangkang, Wang, Gen, Liu, Yue and Zhang, Xiwang (2017). Graphene-based antimicrobial nanomaterials: rational design and applications for water disinfection and microbial control. Environmental Science: Nano, 4 (12), 2248-2266. doi: 10.1039/c7en00583k
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Xiangkang Zeng is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide
A project on hydrogen peroxide production by electrocatalysts is available in our group. Potential PhD candidates are welcome to apply for UQ GSS or CSC-UQ scholarships. Please get in touch for more detailed information.
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a commodity chemical applied in diverse products and industries. Nevertheless, its current industrial production process is not sustainable. Electrochemical process is an alternative and green process for the synthesis of hydrogen peroxide, as H2O2 can be prepared by water oxidation on anode or oxygen reduction on cathode, with renewable (e.g., solar or wind) energy as the energy input. Progress has been made in this research topic in the last decade; however, the efficiency still needs improvement through designing efficient electrodes and reactors. To address these challenges, this PhD project aims to develop a new type of catalysts that can be used for H2O2 production from water oxidation reaction and/or oxygen reduction. It is expected the developed catalysts would be integrated as membrane electrodes and used for H2O2 production in a designed flow cell device.
A working knowledge of electrochemistry, chemical engineering and water splitting processes would be of benefit to someone working on this project. A background or knowledge of either materials engineering or chemical engineering, is highly desirable. You will demonstrate academic achievement in the field/s of materials engineering, chemical engineering and electrochemistry, and the potential for scholastic success.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Polymeric Photocatalysts for Solar-Driven Hydrogen Peroxide Production
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Tom Rufford
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Doctor Philosophy
Exploring Catalysts for Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Peroxide Generation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hong Peng, Professor Xiwang Zhang, Dr Chao Xing
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Doctor Philosophy
Engineering Surface Oxygen Reduction Reaction in 2D Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Peroxide Production
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mike Tebyetekerwa, Professor Xiwang Zhang
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Doctor Philosophy
Rational design of semiconductors for light-driven hydrogen peroxide production
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mike Tebyetekerwa, Professor Xiwang Zhang
Media
Enquiries
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