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Biography
Biography
Hi all! I am Wei-Kean CHONG (钟伟健), currently a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University Malaysia. My research focuses on solar-driven water splitting for green hydrogen production through the integration of in-depth experimental investigation and extensive theoretical computations. On top of photocatalytic water splitting and hydrogen production, my research also diverges towards photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction, nitrogen fixation and biomass valorization for solar fuel productions.
CONTACT: chong.weikean@monash.edu or chong.wei.kean.flik@gmail.com
Research
Research
My research focuses on the development of high-performing photocatalysts for pure water splitting and hydrogen production to advance solar fuel technologies. I adopt an integrated approach that combines experimental investigation with first-principles Density Functional Theory (DFT) modelling, encompassing physical, spectroscopic, and photoelectrochemical characterization to enable the rational design and to unravel the mechanistic insights of the materials. Extending beyond fundamental studies, I translate these innovations into practical applications through thin-film fabrication and the successful demonstration of photocatalytic panel systems operating under natural sunlight. In parallel, my research expands into emerging solar-to-chemical pathways, including photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction, nitrogen fixation and biomass valorization, contributing to a broader vision of sustainable fuel generation.
RESEARCH INTEREST
Photocatalysis
Artificial Photosynthesis
Nanomaterials Design and Characterizations
Density Functional Theory Computations
Water Splitting and Green Hydrogen Production
Solar Energy Conversion
Carbon Neutralization and Sustainable Fuel Production
Latest News Corner
Latest News Corner
2026 [AWARD]
I am deeply honored to receive the 2025 Vice-Chancellor’s Commendation for Thesis Excellence, and grateful to be the first recipient from Monash University Malaysia.
2026 [FEATURE]
My first-authored paper "Self-activated superhydrophilic green ZnIn2S4 realizing solar-driven overall water splitting: Close-to-unity stability for a full daytime" published in Nature Communications has been consecutively recognized as Top 1% Highly Cited Paper.
2026 [FEATURE]
My first-authored paper "Non-metal doping induced dual p-n charge properties in a single ZnIn2S4 crystal structure provoking charge transfer behaviors and boosting photocatalytic hydrogen generation" published in Applied Catalysis B: Environment & Energy has been consecutively recognized as Top 1% Highly Cited Paper.
2025 [FEATURE]
My first-authored paper has been featured as journal cover art in Chem Catalysis, Cell Press.
2025 [VISITOR]
Welcome Shaopeng LIANG! Hosting Ph.D. student from Nagoya University Japan for a research attachment in Monash University Malaysia.
More News
More News
2025 [CONFERENCE]
I delivered an invited speech at the 5th International Symposium on Energy and Environmental Photocatalytic Materials (EEPM5).
2025 [FEATURE]
Collaborative paper with Nagoya University and Hyogo University, "Novel materials and techniques for photocatalytic water splitting developed by Professor Kazunari Domen" has been highlited in AAAS EurekAlert!
2025 [PUBLICATION]
Collaborative paper with Nagoya University and Hyogo University, "Novel materials and techniques for photocatalytic water splitting developed by Professor Kazunari Domen" has been published in Chinese Journal of Catalysis.
2025 [AWARD]
I am delighted to be recognized, once again, as the Excellent Educator, Monash University Malaysia.
2025 [PUBLICATION]
Collaborative paper "Boosted scavenger-free overall nitrogen photofixation with molybdenum incorporated bismuth-rich oxychlorides" has been published in Small.
2025 [PUBLICATION]
My first-authored book chapter "Chapter 13 – Face-to-face 2D heterojunction between layered photocatalysts" has been published in "Layered materials in photocatalysis: Environmental purification and energy conversion" by John Wiley & Sons.
2024 [AWARD]
I am delighted to, once again, receive the High Impact Research Fund Award by Monash University Malaysia; being the only researcher to have received it consecutively!
2024 [PUBLICATION]
My first-authored paper "A compendium of all-in-one solar-driven water splitting using ZnIn2S4-based photocatalysts: guiding the path from the past to the limitless future" has been published in Chemical Society Reviews.
2024 [AWARD]
I received the Outstanding Oral Presentation Award at the International Conference on Energy, Materials, and Photonics (EMP 24).
2024 [CONFERENCE]
I gave an oral presentation at the International Conference on Energy, Materials, and Photonics (EMP 24).
2024 [AWARD]
I am delighted to be recognized, once again, as the Excellent Educator, Monash University Malaysia.
2024 [PUBLICATION]
Collaborative paper "Breaking boundaries of soft photocatalysis: Overcoming limitations of carbon nitride as single-light absorber for overall water splitting" has been published in Journal of Materials Chemistry A.
2024 [RESEARCH]
I am grateful for the opportunity to undertake my research attachment at Nagoya University, Japan, under the supervision of Prof. Qian WANG
2024 [AWARD]
I am glad to receive the award funding for the Ph.D. Global Mobility Research Attachment Program.
2024 [PUBLICATION]
Collaborative paper "Computational design of 2D phosphorus nanostructures for renewable energy applications: A review" has been published in Advanced Electronic Materials.
2024 [PUBLICATION]
Collaborative paper "Bimetallic B-site halide perovskites for enhanced photocatalytic CO2 reduction" has been published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.
2023 [AWARD]
I am delighted to be recognized, once again, as the Excellent Educator, Monash University Malaysia.
2023 [AWARD]
I received the Best Oral Presentation Award at the SOE-SOIT Joint Graduate Research Symposium, Monash University Malaysia.
2023 [CONFERENCE]
I gave an oral presentation at the SOE-SOIT Joint Graduate Research Symposium, Monash University Malaysia.
2023 [PUBLICATION]
My first-authored paper "Self-activated superhydrophilic green ZnIn2S4 realizing solar-driven overall water splitting: Close-to-unity stability for a full daytime" has been published in Nature Communications.
2023 [PUBLICATION]
Collaborative paper "Mixed halide formation in lead-free antimony-based halide perovskite for boosted CO2 photoreduction: Beyond band gap tuning" has been published in Advanced Functional Materials.
2023 [FEATURE]
My first-authored paper "Recent advances in nanoscale engineering of ternary metal sulfide-based heterostructures for photocatalytic water splitting applications" published in Energy & Fuels has been recognized as the Top 3% Most Influential Article.
2023 [FEATURE]
My first-authored paper "Insights from density functional theory calculations on heteroatom P-doped ZnIn2S4 bilayer nanosheets with atomic-level charge steering for photocatalytic water splitting" published in Scientific Reports has been selected as Editor's Choice and recognized as the Top 100 in Materials Science.
2023 [PUBLICATION]
My first-authored paper "Non-metal doping induced dual p-n charge properties in a single ZnIn2S4 crystal structure provoking charge transfer behaviors and boosting photocatalytic hydrogen generation" has been published in Applied Catalysis B: Environment & Energy.
2023 [PUBLICATION]
Collaborative paper "Heteroatom P filling activates intrinsic S atomic sites of few-layered ZnIn2S4 via modulation of H adsorption kinetics for sacrificial agent-free photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from pure water and seawater" has been published in Journal of Materials Chemistry A.
2023 [PUBLICATION]
Collaborative paper "Engineering nanoscale homo–heterojunction for robust Z-scheme CO2 conversion through synchronous amalgamation of oxygen-defective ultrathin BiVO4 and red/black phosphorus" has been published in Small Structures.
2023 [PUBLICATION]
Collaborative paper "Complementary conjugated piezo-phototronic polarized blue TiO2-KNN for piezophotocatalytic degradation of tetracycline enhanced under gentle oscillatory hydrodynamic disturbances" has been published in Applied Catalysis B: Environment & Energy.
2023 [CONFERENCE]
I gave an oral presentation at the Monash Chemical Engineering Cross-Campus Research Seminar, Monash University Australia-Malaysia.
2023 [PUBLICATION]
Collaborative paper "Unravelling the charge dynamics of a molecular photosensitizer of ZnPc on polymeric g-C3N4 for superior photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from seawater splitting" has been published in ACS Applied Energy Materials.
2023 [PUBLICATION]
Collaborative paper "Bismuth-rich Bi12O17Cl2 nanorods engineered with oxygen vacancy defects for enhanced photocatalytic nitrogen fixation" has been published in Journal of Alloys and Compounds.
2022 [AWARD]
I am delighted to be recognized as the Excellent Educator, Monash University Malaysia.
2022 [AWARD]
I am glad to receive the High Impact Research Fund Award by Monash University Malaysia.
2022 [PUBLICATION]
My first-authored paper "Recent advances in nanoscale engineering of ternary metal sulfide-based heterostructures for photocatalytic water splitting applications" has been published in Energy & Fuels.
2022 [PUBLICATION]
Collaborative paper "Sensitization of bismuth tungstate with magnesium phthalocyanine for photoinduced charge redistribution and electron localization: CO2 photoreduction from the vis to NIR region" has been published in Journal of Materials Chemistry C.
2022 [PUBLICATION]
My first-authored paper "Insights from density functional theory calculations on heteroatom P-doped ZnIn2S4 bilayer nanosheets with atomic-level charge steering for photocatalytic water splitting" has been published in Scientific Reports.
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