Overview
Background
Dr. Yunqing Kang received his Ph.D. from Waseda University, Japan, in 2022. Following his graduation, he has held research positions at several prestigious institutions, including the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) and Nagoya University, where he has been actively engaged in cutting-edge academic research. Currently, Dr. Kang is a Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) Fellow in the Yamauchi Research Group at the AIBN. His research focuses on the design and synthesis of advanced nanostructured metallic materials to address critical challenges in energy conversion and environmental sustainability. By pioneering bottom-up self-assembly strategies, Dr. Kang precisely engineers the atomic-scale disorder in porous metals, enabling the creation of high-performance catalysts essential for the global energy transition.
Dr Kang's core expertise encompasses mesoporous metals, amorphous and high-entropy alloys, and disordered metallic architectures, with specific applications in electrocatalysis for water splitting and plastic upcycling. With over 50 publications in prestigious journals including Nature, Science Advances, and Angewandte Chemie, Dr. Kang is dedicated to advancing the fundamental understanding of material science to facilitate industrial innovation.
Availability
- Dr Yunqing Kang is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology (华东理工大学)
- Masters (Research) of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Normal University (上海师范大学)
- Doctoral (Research) of Materials Science and Engineering, Waseda University
Research interests
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Mesoporous Metallic Materials
I specialize in the bottom-up self-assembly of advanced nanostructured metals with precisely controlled pore architectures. My work focuses on creating single atom alloy, amorphous alloy and high-entropy alloy systems that offer enhanced surface areas and structural stability for industrial applications. By engineering these disordered metallic frameworks, I aim to push the boundaries of material design for sustainable development and catalytic performance.
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Engineering Hybrid Functional Materials
I design complex hybrid materials by integrating porous metallic structures with diverse functional components including oxides, MOFs, silica, carbon, and polymers. By systematically tailoring the interfaces and architectural synergy between these components, I develop robust composite systems with enhanced activity and durability. This work provides a versatile material platform for addressing complex challenges in electrochemical energy storage and conversion.
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Electrocatalytic Energy and Environmental Applications
I apply advanced material systems to address global energy and sustainability challenges, with a primary focus on high-efficiency water splitting. My work explores the coupling of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with the anodic oxidation reaction (AOR) for upcycling of plastics to produce high-value chemicals. This research delivers sustainable and scalable pathways for clean hydrogen production and the transformation of waste into value-added products within a circular economy.
Research impacts
Dr. Kang’s research translates complex material science into tangible solutions for sustainable energy and environmental protection by improving the efficiency and durability of catalysts that serve as the engines of the clean energy economy. His development of highly active mesoporous metal catalysts significantly lowers the energy barriers for water electrolysis, rendering green hydrogen production more viable and cost-effective.
Furthermore, his work on catalytic architectures supports the conversion of waste plastics and environmental pollutants into high-value chemical products, directly promoting a circular economy. The impact of his research is evidenced by a high international standing, with outputs consistently ranked in the top 1%–10% of global citations and a Field-Weighted Citation Impact of 5.62. Beyond his laboratory contributions, Dr. Kang actively shapes the scientific community as a young editorial board member, ensuring the dissemination of cutting-edge findings that drive industrial progress and global sustainability goals.
Works
Search Professor Yunqing Kang’s works on UQ eSpace
2020
Journal Article
Magnetically induced synthesis of mesoporous amorphous CoB nanochains for efficient selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde to cinnamyl alcohol
Zhao, Jingjing, Malgras, Victor, Na, Jongbeom, Liang, Rui, Cai, Yong, Kang, Yunqing, Alshehri, Abdulmohsen Ali, Alzahrani, Khalid Ahmed, Alghamdi, Yousef Gamaan, Asahi, Toru, Zhang, Dieqing, Jiang, Bo, Li, Hexing and Yamauchi, Yusuke (2020). Magnetically induced synthesis of mesoporous amorphous CoB nanochains for efficient selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde to cinnamyl alcohol. Chemical Engineering Journal, 398 125564, 125564. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.125564
2020
Journal Article
Mesoporous metal-metalloid amorphous alloys: the first synthesis of open 3D mesoporous Ni-B amorphous alloy spheres via a dual chemical reduction method
Kang, Yunqing, Henzie, Joel, Gu, Huajun, Na, Jongbeom, Fatehmulla, Amanullah, Shamsan, Belqes Saeed A., Aldhafiri, Abdullah M., Farooq, W. Aslam, Bando, Yoshio, Asahi, Toru, Jiang, Bo, Li, Hexing and Yamauchi, Yusuke (2020). Mesoporous metal-metalloid amorphous alloys: the first synthesis of open 3D mesoporous Ni-B amorphous alloy spheres via a dual chemical reduction method. Small, 16 (10) 1906707, 1-7. doi: 10.1002/smll.201906707
2020
Journal Article
A mesoporous non-precious metal boride system: synthesis of mesoporous cobalt boride by strictly controlled chemical reduction
Jiang, Bo, Song, Hui, Kang, Yunqing, Wang, Shengyao, Wang, Qi, Zhou, Xin, Kani, Kenya, Guo, Yanna, Ye, Jinhua, Li, Hexing, Sakka, Yoshio, Henzie, Joel and Yusuke, Yamauchi (2020). A mesoporous non-precious metal boride system: synthesis of mesoporous cobalt boride by strictly controlled chemical reduction. Chemical Science, 11 (3), 791-796. doi: 10.1039/c9sc04498a
2019
Journal Article
Mesoporous PtCu alloy nanoparticles with tunable compositions and particles sizes using diblock copolymer micelle templates
Kang, Yunqing, Jiang, Bo, Alothman, Zeid A., Badjah, Ahmad Yacine, Naushad, Mu, Habila, Mohamed, Wabaidur, Saikh, Henzie, Joel, Li, Hexing and Yamauchi, Yusuke (2019). Mesoporous PtCu alloy nanoparticles with tunable compositions and particles sizes using diblock copolymer micelle templates. Chemistry: A European Journal, 25 (1), 343-348. doi: 10.1002/chem.201804305
2018
Journal Article
CO2 conversion to synthesis gas via DRM on the durable Al2O3/Ni/Al2O3 sandwich catalyst with high activity and stability
Zhao, Yu, Kang, Yunqing, Li, Hui and Li, Hexing (2018). CO2 conversion to synthesis gas via DRM on the durable Al2O3/Ni/Al2O3 sandwich catalyst with high activity and stability. Green Chemistry, 20 (12), 2781-2787. doi: 10.1039/c8gc00743h
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Yunqing Kang is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Synthesis and applications of mesoporous multi-metallic nanomaterials
The project will be based in the Yamauchi Research Group at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, bringing together the expertise of Professor Yusuke Yamauchi and Dr Yunqing Kang in advanced nanomaterials and electrocatalysis.
Professor Yamauchi is an ARC Laureate Fellow and Senior Group Leader at AIBN, and Director of the Australian Materials nanoTectonics Centre. His research encompasses the design and synthesis of functional nanostructured materials for energy and environmental applications. His international research network connects complementary expertise in materials chemistry, nanotechnology and chemical engineering.
Dr Kang is an ARC DECRA Research Fellow whose research focuses on mesoporous metals, amorphous and high-entropy alloys, and single-atom alloy systems. He develops self-assembly strategies to control metallic composition, pore architecture and atomic structure, with particular interests in electrocatalytic hydrogen production and plastic upcycling.
This project aims to develop mesoporous multi-metallic nanomaterials with precisely controlled compositions and structures, and explore their applications in sustainable energy conversion and environmental catalysis. Students will investigate how different metal combinations, pore architectures and atomic arrangements influence catalytic activity, selectivity and durability. Potential research directions include the synthesis of mesoporous alloy nanoparticles and films, the integration of these materials into functional electrodes, and their application in water splitting and the conversion of plastic-derived molecules into valuable chemicals.
Our aim is to provide a supportive and collaborative environment in which students develop both fundamental knowledge and practical research skills. The project will offer training in nanomaterial synthesis, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, spectroscopy and electrochemical analysis. Students will be encouraged to develop independent research ideas, communicate their findings and engage with collaborators across materials science, chemistry and engineering.
Media
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