The group is led by 王鹏, an associate professor in the School of Material Science and Chemical Engineering at Xuzhou University of Technology. Its members are 王鹏, Shuai Wei, Hui Liang, Yao Zhang, Yuanyuan Liu and Yanling Han. Our research combines material design, structural characterization and reaction-performance studies across carbon utilization, photocatalysis, hydrogen energy and electrochemical energy materials.
What we study
Catalytic reactions take place at active sites and interfaces. Members approach these questions through metal–support interactions, charge transport in semiconductors, nanostructured hydrogen-storage materials and polyoxometalate chemistry, examining how composition, structure and surface properties influence reaction pathways, selectivity and stability.
- Catalytic carbon conversion: CO and syngas conversion, ethanol and lower-alcohol synthesis, selective hydrogenation of biomass-derived platform molecules, and catalytic mechanisms.
- Photocatalysis and environmental materials: hydrogen peroxide photosynthesis, photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and CO₂ reduction, pollutant degradation, and self-cleaning films.
- Hydrogen storage and catalytic release: magnesium-based and composite storage materials, sorption kinetics, and supported palladium catalysts for formic acid dehydrogenation.
- Electrocatalysis and energy materials: polyoxometalates and their derivatives, hydrogen and oxygen evolution, urea oxidation, and materials related to electrochemical energy storage.
Explore research questions, project foundations and selected studies
People and expertise
- 王鹏: Group leader with a background in industrial catalysis, working on catalytic carbon conversion, energy chemistry and functional-material applications.
- Shuai Wei: Design, detailed structural analysis and structure–activity relationships of composite catalysts, including CO oxidation and formic acid dehydrogenation.
- Hui Liang: Hydrogen energy and nanostructured storage materials, including magnesium-based materials, two-dimensional materials, polymer composites and hydrogen-storage catalysts.
- Yao Zhang: Polyoxometalates and related functional materials for electrocatalytic hydrogen production, urea oxidation and energy applications.
- Yuanyuan Liu: Applied chemistry teaching and research, with interests in photocatalysis, electrocatalysis and biosensor materials.
- Yanling Han: Structural and interfacial regulation of semiconductor photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution, CO₂ reduction and self-cleaning films.
Collaboration and methods
Members have co-authored studies on hydrogen peroxide photosynthesis over carbon nitride, catalytic formic acid dehydrogenation and semiconductor photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Their individual work on supported metal catalysts, magnesium-based hydrogen storage and polyoxometalate-based electrocatalysis also brings complementary material systems and research questions to the group.
Research involves catalyst synthesis, detailed structural analysis, in situ characterization, optoelectronic and reaction-performance measurements, with theoretical calculations used in relevant studies to examine structure–performance relationships. Specific contributors to papers and projects are identified on the research and member pages.
Teaching, student development and university–industry exchange
Members teach chemical engineering and applied chemistry, connecting coursework with research training and participating in undergraduate mentoring, student innovation projects and chemical engineering design competitions. We value research training that connects literature reading, material preparation and experimental records with data analysis and scientific communication.
Members’ research projects and university–industry collaborations address lower-alcohol production from syngas, self-cleaning hydrophilic films and hydrogen-storage materials. We welcome academic exchange and research collaboration on catalytic materials, energy conversion and environmental functional materials.
Meet our people · Contact the group
About Xuzhou University of Technology
Located in Xuzhou, Jiangsu, Xuzhou University of Technology offers undergraduate and master’s education across science, engineering, agriculture, humanities, economics, management, education and the arts. It emphasizes applied education and collaboration with industry and participates in China’s Excellent Engineer Education and Training Program. Its master’s degree fields include Mechanical Engineering, Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, and Biology and Medicine.
Group members teach and conduct research in catalytic materials and energy chemistry at the School of Material Science and Chemical Engineering.