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.
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.
Journal Article: Engineering 2D photocatalysts for solar hydrogen peroxide production
Yang, Jindi, Zeng, Xiangkang, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Wang, Zhuyuan, Bie, Chuanbiao, Sun, Xin, Marriam, Ifra and Zhang, Xiwang (2024). Engineering 2D photocatalysts for solar hydrogen peroxide production. Advanced Energy Materials 2400740. doi: 10.1002/aenm.202400740
Journal Article: Electricity generation from carbon dioxide adsorption by spatially nanoconfined ion separation
Wang, Zhuyuan, Hu, Ting, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Zeng, Xiangkang, Du, Fan, Kang, Yuan, Li, Xuefeng, Zhang, Hao, Wang, Huanting and Zhang, Xiwang (2024). Electricity generation from carbon dioxide adsorption by spatially nanoconfined ion separation. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 2672, 1-9. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-47040-x
Journal Article: Understanding the Electrochemical Extraction of Lithium from Ultradilute Solutions
Sun, Kaige, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Zeng, Xiangkang, Wang, Zhuyuan, Duignan, Timothy T and Zhang, Xiwang (2024). Understanding the Electrochemical Extraction of Lithium from Ultradilute Solutions. Environmental science & technology. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09111
Single Atom Electrocatalyst of Iridium Oxide for Low-cost Green Hydrogen Production
(2023) UQ Knowledge Exchange & Translation Fund
Bioinspired Photocatalysts for Solar-Driven Hydrogen Peroxide Production
(2022–2025) ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
Polymeric Photocatalysts for Solar-Driven Hydrogen Peroxide Production
Doctor Philosophy
Utilising co-products of water electrolysis in wastewater treatment
Doctor Philosophy
Rational design of semiconductors for light-driven hydrogen peroxide production
Doctor Philosophy
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.
Engineering 2D photocatalysts for solar hydrogen peroxide production
Yang, Jindi, Zeng, Xiangkang, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Wang, Zhuyuan, Bie, Chuanbiao, Sun, Xin, Marriam, Ifra and Zhang, Xiwang (2024). Engineering 2D photocatalysts for solar hydrogen peroxide production. Advanced Energy Materials 2400740. doi: 10.1002/aenm.202400740
Electricity generation from carbon dioxide adsorption by spatially nanoconfined ion separation
Wang, Zhuyuan, Hu, Ting, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Zeng, Xiangkang, Du, Fan, Kang, Yuan, Li, Xuefeng, Zhang, Hao, Wang, Huanting and Zhang, Xiwang (2024). Electricity generation from carbon dioxide adsorption by spatially nanoconfined ion separation. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 2672, 1-9. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-47040-x
Understanding the Electrochemical Extraction of Lithium from Ultradilute Solutions
Sun, Kaige, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Zeng, Xiangkang, Wang, Zhuyuan, Duignan, Timothy T and Zhang, Xiwang (2024). Understanding the Electrochemical Extraction of Lithium from Ultradilute Solutions. Environmental science & technology. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09111
Parsa, Seyed Masoud, Norozpour, Fatemeh, Momeni, Saba, Shoeibi, Shahin, Zeng, Xiangkang, Said, Zafar, Guo, Wenshan, Ngo, Huu Hao and Ni, Bing-Jie (2023). Advanced nanostructured materials in solar interfacial steam generation and desalination against pathogens: combatting microbial-contaminants in water - a critical review. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 11 (34), 18046-18080. doi: 10.1039/d3ta03343k
Tian, Qiang, Zeng, Xiang‐Kang, Zhao, Chen, Jing, Ling‐Yan, Zhang, Xi‐Wang and Liu, Jian (2023). Exceptional photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production from sandwich‐structured graphene interlayered phenolic resins nanosheets with mesoporous channels. Advanced Functional Materials, 33 (21) 2213173, 1-12. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202213173
Scalable high yield exfoliation for monolayer nanosheets
Wang, Zhuyuan, Yan, Xue, Hou, Qinfu, Liu, Yue, Zeng, Xiangkang, Kang, Yuan, Zhao, Wang, Li, Xuefeng, Yuan, Shi, Qiu, Ruosang, Uddin, Md Hemayet, Wang, Ruoxin, Xia, Yun, Jian, Meipeng, Kang, Yan, Gao, Li, Liang, Songmiao, Liu, Jefferson Zhe, Wang, Huanting and Zhang, Xiwang (2023). Scalable high yield exfoliation for monolayer nanosheets. Nature Communications, 14 (1) 236, 1-8. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-35569-8
Kumari, Priyanka, Bahadur, Nupur, Conlan, Xavier A., Zeng, Xiangkang, Kong, Lingxue, O'Dell, Luke A., Sadek, Abu, Merenda, Andrea and Dumée, Ludovic F. (2023). Stimuli-responsive heterojunctions based photo-electrocatalytic membrane reactors for reactive filtration of persistent organic pollutants. Chemical Engineering Journal, 452 139374, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.139374
Wang, Gen, Zhang, Yue, Ge, Lei, Liu, Zhuoyue, Zhu, Xiurong, Yang, Shengjiong, Jin, Pengkang, Zeng, Xiangkang and Zhang, Xiwang (2022). Monodispersed CuO nanoparticles supported on mineral substrates for groundwater remediation via a nonradical pathway. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 429 128282, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128282
Wang, Gen, Ge, Lei, Liu, Zhuoyue, Zhu, Xiurong, Yang, Shengjiong, Wu, Kun, Jin, Pengkang, Zeng, Xiangkang and Zhang, Xiwang (2022). Activation of peroxydisulfate by defect-rich CuO nanoparticles supported on layered MgO for organic pollutants degradation: An electron transfer mechanism. Chemical Engineering Journal, 431 134026, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.134026
Engineering mesoporous semiconducting metal oxides from metal-organic frameworks for gas sensing
Wang, Gen, Yang, Shengjiong, Cao, Li, Jin, Pengkang, Zeng, Xiangkang, Zhang, Xiwang and Wei, Jing (2021). Engineering mesoporous semiconducting metal oxides from metal-organic frameworks for gas sensing. Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 445 214086. doi: 10.1016/j.ccr.2021.214086
Liu, Yue, Zeng, Xiangkang, Hu, Xiaoyi, Xia, Yun and Zhang, Xiwang (2021). Solar‐driven photocatalytic disinfection over 2D semiconductors: the generation and effects of reactive oxygen species. Solar RRL, 5 (6) 2000594, 2000594. doi: 10.1002/solr.202000594
Hu, Jian, Qian, Binbin, Zeng, Xiangkang, Qi, Yu, Liu, Yue, Zhang, Lian and Zhang, Xiwang (2021). Oxygen vacant Co3O4 in situ embedded on carbon spheres: cooperatively tuning electron transfer for boosted peroxymonosulfate activation. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 9 (30), 16489-16499. doi: 10.1039/d1ta03963f
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Zeng, Xiangkang, Wang, Zhouyou, Wang, Gen, Gengenbach, Thomas R., McCarthy, David T., Deletic, Ana, Yu, Jiaguo and Zhang, Xiwang (2017). Highly dispersed TiO2 nanocrystals and WO3 nanorods on reduced graphene oxide: Z-scheme photocatalysis system for accelerated photocatalytic water disinfection. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 218, 163-173. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2017.06.055
Ultrathin titanium oxide nanosheets film with memory bactericidal activity
Wang, Gen, Xing, Zheng, Zeng, Xiangkang, Feng, Chuanping, McCarthy, David T., Deletic, Ana and Zhang, Xiwang (2016). Ultrathin titanium oxide nanosheets film with memory bactericidal activity. Nanoscale, 8 (42), 18050-18056. doi: 10.1039/c6nr06313f
Highly recoverable TiO2-GO nanocomposites for stormwater disinfection
Wang, Gen, Feng, Wenjun, Zeng, Xiangkang, Wang, Zhouyou, Feng, Chuanping, McCarthy, David T., Deletic, Ana and Zhang, Xiwang (2016). Highly recoverable TiO2-GO nanocomposites for stormwater disinfection. Water Research, 94, 363-370. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.02.067
Xing, Zheng, Zeng, Xiangkang, Deletic, Ana, McCarthy, David, Wang, Gen and Zhang, Xiwang (2016). Constructing ultrathin film with "memory" photocatalytic activity from monolayered tungstate nanodots. Chemical Communications, 52 (43), 6985-6988. doi: 10.1039/c6cc00102e
Zeng, Xiangkang, McCarthy, David T., Deletic, Ana and Zhang, Xiwang (2015). Silver/Reduced Graphene Oxide Hydrogel as Novel Bactericidal Filter for Point-of-Use Water Disinfection. Advanced Functional Materials, 25 (27), 4344-4351. doi: 10.1002/adfm.201501454
Anthraquinone dye assisted the decolorization of azo dyes by a novel Trametes trogii laccase
Zeng, Xiangkang, Cai, Yujie, Liao, Xiangru, Zeng, Xianglong, Luo, Shoupeng and Zhang, Dabing (2012). Anthraquinone dye assisted the decolorization of azo dyes by a novel Trametes trogii laccase. Process Biochemistry, 47 (1), 160-163. doi: 10.1016/j.procbio.2011.10.019
Zeng, Xiangkang, Cai, Yujie, Liao, Xiangru, Zeng, Xianglong, Li, Wenxiu and Zhang, Dabing (2011). Decolorization of synthetic dyes by crude laccase from a newly isolated Trametes trogii strain cultivated on solid agro-industrial residue. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 187 (1-3), 517-525. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.01.068
Zeng, Hua-Wei, Cai, Yu-Jie, Liao, Xiang-Ru, Zhang, Feng, Li, Yu-Lin, Zeng, Xiang-Kang and Zhang, Da-Bing (2011). Serratia marcescens SYBC08 catalase isolated from sludge containing hydrogen peroxide shows increased catalase production by regulation of carbon metabolism. Engineering in Life Sciences, 11 (1), 37-43. doi: 10.1002/elsc.201000115
Single Atom Electrocatalyst of Iridium Oxide for Low-cost Green Hydrogen Production
(2023) UQ Knowledge Exchange & Translation Fund
Bioinspired Photocatalysts for Solar-Driven Hydrogen Peroxide Production
(2022–2025) ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
Polymeric Photocatalysts for Solar-Driven Hydrogen Peroxide Production
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Utilising co-products of water electrolysis in wastewater treatment
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Rational design of semiconductors for light-driven hydrogen peroxide production
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
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.