• Environmental catalysis

• Biorefinery/biomass conversion 

• Green synthesis of nanomaterials

• Wastewater monitoring and treatment

• Organic solid waste treatment and sustainable chemistry

Postdoc Research Fellows:

Dr.Zhu Zhi

Dr.Xu Qiuxiang

Dr.Cai Wenfei

Dr.Reeti Kumar

Dr.Xue Wenhua

Dr.Ye Jian

Research Assistant:

Mr.Cheng Chanzhou

Ms. Shang Mengge

Ms. Wang Gaihong

PhD Student:

Ms. Wang Peixin

Ms. Geng Yiqi

• Zhou, X.;  Zhao, J.;  Chen, M.;  Zhao, G.; Wu, S., Influence of catalyst and solvent on the hydrothermal liquefaction of woody biomass. Bioresource Technology 2022, 346, 126354.

• Zhou, X.;  Zhao, J.;  Chen, M.;  Wu, S.;  Zhao, G.; Xu, S., Effects of hydration parameters on chemical properties of biocrudes based on machine learning and experiments. Bioresource Technology 2022, 350, 126923.

• Zhou, M.;  Tang, C.;  Xia, H.;  Li, J.;  Liu, J.;  Jiang, J.;  Zhao, J.;  Yang, X.; Chen, C., Ni-based MOFs catalytic oxidative cleavage of lignin models and lignosulfonate under oxygen atmosphere. Fuel 2022, 320, 123993.

• Zhou, M.;  Ge, F.;  Li, J.;  Xia, H.;  Liu, J.;  Jiang, J.;  Chen, C.;  Zhao, J.; Yang, X., Catalytic Hydrodeoxygenation of Guaiacol to Cyclohexanol over Bimetallic NiMo-MOF-Derived Catalysts. Catalysts 2022, 12 (4), 371.

• Khan, R. J.;  Lau, C. Y.;  Guan, J.;  Lam, C. H.;  Zhao, J.;  Ji, Y.;  Wang, H.;  Xu, J.;  Lee, D.-J.; Leu, S.-Y., Recent advances of lignin valorization techniques toward sustainable aromatics and potential benchmarks to fossil refinery products. Bioresource Technology 2022, 346, 126419.

• Zhu, Z.;  Liu, Z.;  Tang, X.;  Reeti, K.;  Huo, P.;  Wong, J. W.-C.; Zhao, J., Sulfur-doped gC 3 N 4 for efficient photocatalytic CO 2 reduction: insights by experiment and first-principles calculations. Catalysis Science & Technology 2021, 11 (5), 1725-1736.

• Zhu, W.;  Meng, Y.;  Yang, C.;  Zhao, J.;  Wang, H.;  Hu, W.;  Lv, G.;  Wang, Y.;  Deng, T.; Hou, X., Effect of Coordination Environment Surrounding a Single Pt Site on the Liquid-Phase Aerobic Oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2021, 13 (41), 48582-48594.

• Yan, Y.;  Zhao, Z.;  Zhao, J.;  Tang, W.;  Huang, W.; Lee, J.-M., Atomic-thin hexagonal CuCo nanocrystals with d-band tuning for CO 2 reduction. Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2021, 9 (12), 7496-7502.

• Shao, Y.;  Zhao, D.-Y.;  Lu, W.;  Long, Y.;  Zheng, W.;  Zhao, J.; Hu, Z.-T., MgO/carbon nanocomposites synthesized in molten salts for catalytic isomerization of glucose to fructose in aqueous media. Green Chemical Engineering 2021.

• Patria, R. D.;  Islam, M. K.;  Luo, L.;  Leu, S.-Y.;  Varjani, S.;  Xu, Y.;  Wong, J. W.-C.; Zhao, J., Hydroxyapatite-based catalysts derived from food waste digestate for efficient glucose isomerization to fructose. Green Synthesis and Catalysis 2021, 2 (4), 356-361.

• Manu, M. K.;  Li, D.;  Liwen, L.;  Jun, Z.;  Varjani, S.; Wong, J. W. C., A review on nitrogen dynamics and mitigation strategies of food waste digestate composting. Bioresource Technology 2021, 334, 125032.

• Luo, L.;  Kaur, G.;  Zhao, J.;  Zhou, J.;  Xu, S.;  Varjani, S.; Wong, J. W. C., Optimization of water replacement during leachate recirculation for two-phase food waste anaerobic digestion system with off-gas diversion. Bioresource Technology 2021, 335, 125234.

• Li, K.;  Deng, L.;  Yi, S.;  Wu, Y.;  Xia, G.;  Zhao, J.;  Dong, L. U.; Min, Y., Boosting the performance by the water solvation shell with hydrogen bonds on protonic ionic liquids: insights into the acid catalysis of the glycosidic bond. Catalysis Science & Technology 2021, 11 (10), 3527-3538.

• Hu, Z.-T.;  Ding, Y.;  Shao, Y.;  Cai, L.;  Jin, Z.-Y.;  Liu, Z.;  Zhao, J.;  Li, F.;  Pan, Z.; Li, X., Banana peel biochar with nanoflake-assembled structure for cross contamination treatment in water: Interaction behaviors between lead and tetracycline. Chemical Engineering Journal 2021, 420, 129807.

• Ding, Y.;  Zhao, J.;  Liu, J.-W.;  Zhou, J.;  Cheng, L.;  Zhao, J.;  Shao, Z.;  Iris, Ç.;  Pan, B.; Li, X., A review of China’s municipal solid waste (MSW) and comparison with international regions: Management and technologies in treatment and resource utilization. Journal of cleaner production 2021, 293, 126144.

• Zhao, J.;  Yan, Y.;  Hu, Z.-T.;  Jose, V.;  Chen, X.; Lee, J.-M., Bifunctional carbon nanoplatelets as metal-free catalysts for direct conversion of fructose to 2, 5-diformylfuran. Catalysis Science & Technology 2020, 10 (13), 4179-4183.

• Zhou, C.;  Zhao, J.;  Sun, H.;  Song, Y.;  Wan, X.;  Lin, H.; Yang, Y., One-step approach to 2, 5-diformylfuran from fructose over molybdenum oxides supported on carbon spheres. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2018, 7 (1), 315-323.

• Zhao, J.;  Jayakumar, A.; Lee, J.-M., Bifunctional sulfonated MoO3–ZrO2 binary oxide catalysts for the one-step synthesis of 2, 5-diformylfuran from fructose. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2018, 6 (3), 2976-2982.

• Zhao, J.;  Jayakumar, A.;  Hu, Z.-T.;  Yan, Y.;  Yang, Y.; Lee, J.-M., MoO3-containing protonated nitrogen doped carbon as a bifunctional catalyst for one-step synthesis of 2, 5-diformylfuran from fructose. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2018, 6 (1), 284-291.

• Zhao, J.;  Chen, X.;  Du, Y.;  Yang, Y.; Lee, J.-M., Vanadium-embedded mesoporous carbon microspheres as effective catalysts for selective aerobic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural into 2, 5-diformylfuran. Applied Catalysis A: General 2018, 568, 16-22.

• Liu, Y.;  Zhao, J.; Lee, J. M., Conventional and new materials for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx. ChemCatChem 2018, 10 (7), 1499-1511.

• Jayakumar, A.;  Zhao, J.; Lee, J. M., A Coconut Leaf Sheath Derived Graphitized N‐Doped Carbon Network for High‐Performance Supercapacitors. ChemElectroChem 2018, 5 (2), 284-291.

• Jayakumar, A.;  Antony, R. P.;  Zhao, J.; Lee, J.-M., MOF-derived nickel and cobalt metal nanoparticles in a N-doped coral shaped carbon matrix of coconut leaf sheath origin for high performance supercapacitors and OER catalysis. Electrochimica Acta 2018, 265, 336-347.

• Hu, Z.-T.;  Liang, Y. N.;  Zhao, J.;  Zhang, Y.;  Yang, E.-H.;  Chen, J.; Lim, T.-T., Ultra-effective integrated technologies for water disinfection with a novel 0D-2D-3D nanostructured rGO-AgNP/Bi2Fe4O9 composite. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 2018, 227, 548-556.

• Zhao, J.;  Anjali, J.;  Yan, Y.; Lee, J. M., Cr‐MIL‐101‐Encapsulated Keggin Phosphomolybdic Acid as a Catalyst for the One‐Pot Synthesis of 2, 5‐Diformylfuran from Fructose. ChemCatChem 2017, 9 (7), 1187-1191.

• Yao, L.;  Zhao, J.; Lee, J.-M., Small size Rh nanoparticles in micelle nanostructure by ionic liquid/CTAB for acceptorless dehydrogenation of alcohols only in pure water. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2017, 5 (3), 2056-2060.

• Yan, Y.;  Zhao, J.;  Luo, J.; Lee, J. M., Hierarchical Gadolinium Oxide Microspheres for Enzymeless Electro‐biosensors in Hydrogen Peroxide Dynamic Detection. ChemElectroChem 2017, 4 (2), 272-277.

• Yan, Y.;  Zhao, J.; Lee, J. M., Preparation of mesoporous dysprosium oxide for dynamic hydrogen peroxide detection without enzymes. ChemElectroChem 2017, 4 (1), 96-101.

• Yan, Y.;  Li, K.;  Zhao, J.;  Cai, W.;  Yang, Y.; Lee, J.-M., Nanobelt-arrayed vanadium oxide hierarchical microspheres as catalysts for selective oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural toward 2, 5-diformylfuran. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 2017, 207, 358-365.

• Li, K.;  Lei, J.;  Yuan, G.;  Weerachanchai, P.;  Wang, J.-Y.;  Zhao, J.; Yang, Y., Fe-, Ti-, Zr-and Al-pillared clays for efficient catalytic pyrolysis of mixed plastics. Chemical Engineering Journal 2017, 317, 800-809.

• Zhao, J.;  Zhou, C.;  He, C.;  Dai, Y.;  Jia, X.; Yang, Y., Efficient dehydration of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural over sulfonated carbon sphere solid acid catalysts. Catalysis Today 2016, 264, 123-130.

• Yan, Y.;  Li, K.;  Thia, L.;  Dai, Y.;  Zhao, J.;  Chen, X.;  Yang, Y.; Lee, J.-M., Hydrothermally driven three-dimensional evolution of mesoporous hierarchical europium oxide hydrangea microspheres for non-enzymatic sensors of hydrogen peroxide detection. Environmental Science: Nano 2016, 3 (4), 701-706.

• Yan, Y.;  Li, K.;  Dai, Y.;  Chen, X.;  Zhao, J.;  Yang, Y.; Lee, J.-M., Synthesis of 3D mesoporous samarium oxide hydrangea microspheres for enzyme-free sensor of hydrogen peroxide. Electrochimica Acta 2016, 208, 231-237.

• Yan, Y.;  Li, K.;  Dai, Y.;  Chen, X.;  Zhao, J.;  Yan, Y.;  Huang, J.;  Yang, Y.; Lee, J. M., Controlled Synthesis of 3D Nanoplate‐Assembled La2O3 Hierarchical Microspheres for Enzyme‐Free Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide. Advanced Materials Interfaces 2016, 3 (14), 1500833.

• Lv, H.;  Zhang, H.;  Zhao, J.;  Ji, G.; Du, Y., Achieving excellent bandwidth absorption by a mirror growth process of magnetic porous polyhedron structures. Nano Research 2016, 9 (6), 1813-1822.

• Li, K.;  Yan, Y.;  Zhao, J.;  Lei, J.;  Jia, X.;  Mushrif, S. H.; Yang, Y., Understanding the role of hydrogen bonding in Brønsted acidic ionic liquid-catalyzed transesterification: a combined theoretical and experimental investigation. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 2016, 18 (48), 32723-32734.

• He, C.;  Zhao, J.;  Yang, Y.; Wang, J.-Y., Multiscale characteristics dynamics of hydrochar from hydrothermal conversion of sewage sludge under sub-and near-critical water. Bioresource technology 2016, 211, 486-493.

• Li, K.;  Yang, Z.;  Zhao, J.;  Lei, J.;  Jia, X.;  Mushrif, S. H.; Yang, Y., Mechanistic and kinetic studies on biodiesel production catalyzed by an efficient pyridinium based ionic liquid. Green Chemistry 2015, 17 (8), 4271-4280.

• Yang, Z. H.;  Li, Z. W.;  Zhao, J.; Yang, Y. H., Synthesis and enhanced microwave properties of uniform hollow Fe nanospheres and their core–shell silica nanocomposites. RSC Advances 2014, 4 (19), 9457-9462.

• Zhang, X.;  Zhao, J.;  Wen, Y.;  Zhu, C.;  Yang, J.; Yao, F., Carboxymethyl chitosan-poly (amidoamine) dendrimer core–shell nanoparticles for intracellular lysozyme delivery. Carbohydrate polymers 2013, 98 (2), 1326-1334.

• Hydrothermal liquification/carbonization of microplastics (2022-2024)

• Hydrothermal assisted anaerobic digestion to produce biogas (2021-2023)

• The construction and modification of biomass-derived graphitized carbon material for biomass conversion（2019-2022）

• Developing a catalytic pyrolysis process to produce biodiesel from urban organic waste (plastic waste, yard waste etc.) （2020-2022）

• Development of a novel biochar-based soil remediation agent （2020-2025）

• Environmental Biotechnology

• Waste Treatment and Recycling

• Principles of Environmental Management

• Introduction to Environmental Science

• Course： Experiment C4 Forced Convection

• Course： Experiment CE2 Organic (UV)

• Course： Experiment Partial molar volume

• One-pot approach conversion of fructose to 2,5-diformylfuran by carbon-based metal-free catalysts, International Conference on Sustainable Biowaste Management 2020

• Dehydration of biomass-derived sorbitol to isosorbide over carbon-based solid acid under solvent-free conditions, 2019 Edition of International Conference on Solid Waste

• Chemical Recycling of E-Waste plastics for clean fuels and high-quality polymers production, 10th International Conference on Materials for Advanced Technologies 2019

• Nanomaterials for catalytic detoxification and chemical recycling of toxic e-waste plastic, IEEE 19th International Conference On Nanotechnology (IEEE-Nano) 2019 

• 8th Singapore Catalysis Forum 2016, Singapore

• Southeast Asia Catalysis Conference 2015, Singapore

Email: zhaojun@hkbu.edu.hk

Tel: +852 - 3411 6687