
HAW Choon Yian
Associate Professor Dr.
SDGs Focus



About Me
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Haw Choon Yian, an Assistant Professor and Head of Programme (Master in New Energy Science and Engineering) at School of Energy and Chemical Engineering (SECE), Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM), holds a PhD in Materials Science from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). He served as a visiting scholar at the University of Western Australia from Year 2010 - 2011 and as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University of Malaya's Low Dimensional Materials Research Centre. His expertise spans Photoenergy Conversion using Metal Oxides, Chalcogenides, and Biomass-derived Materials for Clean Energy and Wastewater Treatment. His commitment extends to coordinating professional development and assessing qualifications. His dedication to teaching, research, and administration earned him the National Outstanding Young Educator Award in Year 2023. His research work aligns with the United Nation (UN)'s SDG goals, reflecting his commitment to advancing academia.
• Ph.D. in Materials Science, National University of Malaysia (UKM), 2013
• Bachelor of Science (First Class Honours) (Nuclear Science), National University of Malaysia (UKM), 2009
• Malaysia Board of Technologists, Professional Technologist (ID: PT2305021) May 2023 – Present
• Malaysia Board of Technologists, Graduate Technologist (ID: GT22120311) Dec 2022 - Present
• Guest Editor - Frontiers in Metals and Alloy
Research Interests
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Haw’s research primarily focuses on Photoenergy Conversion Applications with the use of light-to-heat and light-to-chemical reaction mechanisms observe in Photothermal and Photoelectrochemical water splitting reactions through the state-of-the-art materials designs (nano- and micro- dimensions) composition engineering (crystal vacancy & atomic re-constituent). He is also researching in materials engineering derived from biomass and biomimetic devices for wastewater treatment and oil removal in environmental remediation. His research interests are in alignment with UN’s SDG goals which promoting sustainable and clean energy restoration for future prospects.
Research Project(s)
- Photothermal solar steam generation
- Photoelectrochemical water splitting: metal oxide and metal chalcogenides materials
- Biomass-derived materials for clean energy application – wastewater treatment and oil removal
Current Courses Taught
- EGE501 & EGE601 Research Methodology (Master and PhD)
- EGE420* Photoenergy and Resource Conversion (Major Elective)
- EGE413* Fundamental of Nuclear Science and Engineering (Major Elective)
- EGE405 Thesis II (Major Core)
- EGE404 Thesis I (Major Core)
- EGE403 Energy Innovation Laboratory (Major Core)
- EGE401 Practices of Energy Technology (Major Core)
- EGE201 Corrosion and Protection of Materials (Major Core)
- EGE103 Theory and Practice of Energy Policy (Major Core)
- CME107 General Physics (CME’s Major Core)
- BSC108/FSC110 General Physics Laboratory (Major Core)
- G0307 Environmental Protection and Environmental Awareness (General Electives)
- G0308 Energy Materials and Technology (General Electives)
Local Grant(s)
- Probing Photothermal Mechanism of Shape-Controlled ZnO Nanostructures Embedded in Polypyrrole Matrices, 2021 – 2024, Ministry of Higher Education (FRGS), RM168,500
- Design of Metal Oxide Semiconductor Nanostructures Synergized Polypyrrole (MOx-PPy) as Energy Efficient Photothermal Evaporator in Solar Steam Generation (SSG) Application, 2021 – 2024, XMUM Research Fund (XMUMRF) 2021 Cycle 8, RM60,000
- Investigation of Efficiency and Stability Aspects of 2-D Hierarchical Carbon Nanostructures Novel Composites for Solar Driven Hydrogen Generation via Photoelectrochemical (PEC) Water Splitting, 2018 – 2020, XMUM Research Fund (XMUMRF) 2018 Cycle 1, RM60,000
International Grant
- Hengyuan Industrial Grant (Grant number: EENG/0003), 2021, RM50,000
Journal(s)
K.W. Tan, C.Y. Haw*, W-J. Ong, P.S. Khiew, N.A. Jani, and W.S. Chiu (2023). Surpassing 2D Photoabsorbers with Palm Fiber Upcycling as Highly Hydrophilic and Low-Cost Photothermal Materials for Improved Water Transport Interfacial Solar Steam Generation. ACS Applied Engineering Materials, doi: 10.1021/acsaenm.3c00029
Grayson Z.S. Ling, Valerie B-Y. Oh, C.Y. Haw, L-L. Tan, W-J. Ong (2023). g-C3N4 photocatalysts: Utilizing electron-hole pairs for boosted redox capability in water splitting. Energy Material Advances, doi: 10.34133/energymatadv.0038
Y.H. Teh, J.D Tan, W.C. Clifford Choe, J.P. Tan, C.Y. Haw, and M. Dahari (2022). Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator Design Optimization for Wind Energy Conversion System: A Review. Energy Reports, 8, 277–82, doi: 10.1016/j.egyr.2022.10.239
S.Q. Zheng, S.S. Lim, C.Y. Foo, C.Y. Haw, W.S. Chiu, C.H. Chia, and P.S. Khiew (2022). Probing the Effect of Solvents on the Electrochemical Performance of Graphene Incorporated Nickel-Based Metal Organic Frameworks. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 925, 116860, doi: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2022.116860
W.C. Clifford Choe, J.D Tan, M.A.S Bhuiyan, C.C. Kang, M. Ariannejad, and C.Y. Haw (2022). Nature-Inspired Optimization Algorithms in Solving Partial Shading Problems: A Systematic Review. Archives of Computational Methods in Engineering, doi: 10.1007/s11831-022-09803-x
Y.P. Lim, S.C. Jason Koay, J.T. Zhao, S.L. Huang, B.T. Goh, K.C. Aw, B. Chen, C.Y. Haw*, and W.C. Gan (2022). Modulating ZnO Growth Structures for Maximum Power Output of Hybrid Piezo/Triboelectric Nanogenerator. Advanced Functional Materials, 32 (46), 2206750, doi: 10.1002/adfm.202206750
X. Liang, Q. He, J. Zhang, X. Ding, Y. Gao, W. Chen, Kelvin H. L. Zhang, and C.Y. Haw* (2022). Enhanced Photo-Carrier Transportation at Semiconductor/Electrolyte Interface of TiO2 Photoanode by Oxygen Vacancy Engineering. Applied Surface Science, 597, 153744, doi: 10.1016/J.APSUSC.2022.153744
K.W. Tan, C.M. Yap, Z. Zheng, C.Y. Haw*, P.S. Khiew, and W.S. Chiu (2022). State-of-the-Art Advances, Development, and Challenges of Metal Oxide Semiconductor Nanomaterials for Photothermal Solar Steam Generation. Advanced Sustainable Systems, 6 (4), 2100416, doi: 10.1002/adsu.202100416
S.Q. Zheng, S.S. Lim, C.Y. Foo, C.Y. Haw, W.S. Chiu, C.H. Chia, and P.S. Khiew (2021). Recent Progress on the Applications of Carbonaceous and Metal-Organic Framework Nanomaterials for Supercapacitors. Frontiers in Materials, 8, doi: 10.3389/fmats.2021.777149
Y. Huang, C.Y. Haw*, Z. Zheng, J. Kang, J.C. Zheng, and H.Q. Wang (2021). Biosynthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanomaterials from Plant Extracts and Future Green Prospects: A Topical Review. Advanced Sustainable Systems, 5 (6), 2000266, doi: 10.1002/adsu.202000266
H. Xu, R. Wu, J.Y. Zhang, W.Q. Han, L. Chen, X. Liang, C.Y. Haw, P. Mazzolini, O. Bierwagen, D.C. Qi, and Kelvin H. L. Zhang (2021). Revealing the Electronic Structure and Optical Properties of CuFeO2 as a p-Type Oxide Semiconductor. ACS Applied Electronic Materials, 3 (4), 1834–41, doi: 10.1021/acsaelm.1c00090
J. Lan, B. He, C.Y. Haw, M. Gao, Imran Khan, R. Zheng, S. Guo, J. Zhao, Z. Wang, S.L. Huang, S. Li, and J. Kang (2020). Band Engineering of ZnO/Si Nanowire Arrays in Z-Scheme Heterojunction for Efficient Dye Photodegradation. Applied Surface Science, 529, 147023, doi: 10.1016/J.APSUSC.2020.147023
J. Lan, M. Gao, C.Y. Haw, Imran Khan, J. Zhao, Z. Wang, S. Guo, S.L. Huang, S. Li, and J. Kang (2020). Layer-by-Layer Assembly of Ag2S Quantum Dots-Sensitized ZnO/SnO2 Core-Shell Nanowire Arrays for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity. Physics Letters A, 384 (26), 126708, doi: 10.1016/j.physleta.2020.126708
N.A. Jani, C.Y. Haw, W.S. Chiu, S. Abdul Rahman, P.S. Khiew, Y.C. Lim, R. Abd-Shukor, and M. Azmi. Abd. Hamid (2020). Photodeposition of Ag Nanocrystals onto TiO2 Nanotube Platform for Enhanced Water Splitting and Hydrogen Gas Production. Journal of Nanomaterials, 2020, 748036, doi:10.1155/2020/7480367
R. Sankaran, R.A. Parra Cruz, P.L. Show, C.Y. Haw, S.H. Lai, E.P. Ng, and T.C. Ling (2019). Recent Advances of Aqueous Two-Phase Flotation System for the Recovery of Biomolecules. Fluid Phase Equilibria, 501, 112271, doi: 10.1016/j.fluid.2019.112271
M.A.A. Rahman, B.T. Goh, W.S. Chiu, C.Y. Haw, M.R. Mahmood, P.S. Khiew, and S. Abdul Rahman (2018). Aging- and Thermal-Annealing Effects on the Vibrational- and Microstructural-Properties of PECVD Grown Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon Carbon Nitride Thin Films. Vibrational Spectroscopy, 94, 22–30, doi: 10.1016/j.vibspec.2017.11.002
N.H. Khanis, R. Ritikos, W.S. Chiu, C.Y. Haw, N.M. Abdul Rashid, M.Y. Chia, P.S. Khiew, and S. Abdul Rahman (2017). SnO2 Nanoparticles Decorated 2D Wavy Hierarchical Carbon Nanowalls with Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance. Journal of Nanomaterials, 2017, doi:10.1155/2017/4315905
N.A. Jani, C.Y. Haw, W.S. Chiu, S. Abdul Rahman, Y.C. Lim, P.S. Khiew, and A. Yaghoubi (2017). Understanding the Effect of Plasmonic Enhancement on Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2 Nanotube Arrays. Materials Characterization, 128, 134–41, doi: 10.1016/j.matchar.2017.03.034
M.A. Abdul Rahman, W.S. Chiu, C.Y. Haw, R. Badaruddin, F. Shariatmadar Tehrani, M. Rusop, P.S Khiew, and S. Abdul Rahman (2017). Multi-Phase Structured Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon Carbon Nitride Thin Films Grown by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 721, 70–79, doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2017.05.289
S.N.H. Daud, C.Y. Haw*, W. S. Chiu, Z. Aspanut, N.A. Jani, P.S. Khiew, Y.C. Lim, M.A. Abd. Hamid and A.M. Ali (2017). 3D Hyperbranched Heterostructures of Ag Nanocrystals-Decorated ZnO Nanopillars: Controlled Growth and Characterization of the Optical Properties. CrystEngComm, 19 (37), 5591–5603, doi: 10.1039/C7CE01159H
S. N. H. Daud, C.Y. Haw, W.S. Chiu, Z. Aspanut, M.Y. Chia, N.H. Khanis, P.S. Khiew, and M.A. Abd. Hamid (2016). ZnO Nanonails: Organometallic Synthesis, Self-Assembly and Enhanced Hydrogen Gas Production. Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing, 56, 228–37, doi: 10.1016/j.mssp.2016.08.021
C.Y. Haw, W.S. Chiu, N.H. Khanis, S. Abdul Rahman, P.S. Khiew, S. Radiman, R. Abd-Shukor, and M.A. Abd. Hamid (2016). Tin Stearate Organometallic Precursor Prepared SnO2 Quantum Dots Nanopowder for Aqueous- and Non-Aqueous Medium Photocatalytic Hydrogen Gas Evolution. Journal of Energy Chemistry, 25 (4), 691–701, doi: 10.1016/j.jechem.2016.04.006
N.M. Abdul Rashid, C.Y. Haw, W.S. Chiu, N.H. Khanis, A. Rohaizad, P.S. Khiew, and S. Abdul Rahman. (2016). Structural- and Optical-Properties Analysis of Single Crystalline Hematite (α-Fe2O3) Nanocubes Prepared by One-Pot Hydrothermal Approach. CrystEngComm, 18 (25), 4720–32, doi: 10.1039/C6CE00573J
C.Y. Haw, W.S. Chiu, S. Abdul Rahman, P.S. Khiew, S. Radiman, R. Abdul Shukor, M.A. Abd. Hamid, and N. Ghazali (2016). The Design of New Magnetic-Photocatalyst Nanocomposites (CoFe2O4–TiO2) as Smart Nanomaterials for Recyclable-Photocatalysis Applications. New Journal of Chemistry, 40 (2), 1124–36, doi: 10.1039/C5NJ02496J
C.Y. Haw., C.H. Chia, S. Zakaria, F. Mohamed, S. Radiman, C.H. Teh, P.S. Khiew, W.S. Chiu, and N.M. Huang (2011). Morphological Studies of Randomized Dispersion Magnetite Nanoclusters Coated with Silica. Ceramics International, 37 (2), 451–64, doi: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2010.09.010
C.Y. Haw, F. Mohamed, C.H. Chia, S. Radiman, S. Zakaria, N.M. Huang, and H.N. Lim (2010). Hydrothermal Synthesis of Magnetite Nanoparticles as MRI Contrast Agents. Ceramics International, 36 (4), 1417–22, doi: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2010.02.005
C.H. Chia, S. Zakaria, M. Yusoff, S.C. Goh, C.Y. Haw, Sh Ahmadi, N.M. Huang, and H.N. Lim (2010). Size and Crystallinity-Dependent Magnetic Properties of CoFe2O4 Nanocrystals. Ceramics International, 36 (2), 605–9, doi: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2009.10.001
S.C. Goh, C.H. Chia, S. Zakaria, M. Yusoff, C.Y. Haw, Sh Ahmadi, N.M. Huang, and H.N. Lim (2010). Hydrothermal Preparation of High Saturation Magnetization and Coercivity Cobalt Ferrite Nanocrystals without Subsequent Calcination. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 120 (1), 31–35, doi: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2009.10.016
Current Supervision (Postgraduate only)
Current Supervision (Postgraduate only)
- LIOW Jo-Ey
Bioinspired 3D Architecture Leaves Structure Made from Biomass Upcycling Palm Fiber for Rapid Water Purification via Photothermal Effect
2023 – Present
Xiamen University Malaysia
Completed Supervision (Postgraduate only)
Current Supervision (Postgraduate only)
- TAN Kar Woon
Polydopamine integrated Carbonized Oil Palm Fiber as Biomass based Photoabsorber for Renewable Energy-Driven Water Purification and Desalination through Photothermal Solar Steam Generation
2023
Xiamen University Malaysia
- LIANG Xuan
Elucidating Optoelectronic Properties, Electronic Structure and Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Performance of Oxygen Vacancy Modified TiO2 Photoanode
2022
Xiamen University Malaysia
- LIM Yen Pei
Optimizing ZnO Growth Structures for Enhanced Power Generation in Hybrid Piezo/Triboelectric Nanogenerators
2023
Xiamen University Malaysia
- HUANG Yajing
Biosynthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanomaterials from Plant Extracts and Future Green Prospects with CiteSpace Bibiographic Tools
2021
Xiamen University Malaysia
- National Outstanding Young Educator Awards 2023 by Educoop
- Best Poster Presenter Award (Bronze Medal), 3rd International Symposium on Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology 2019 (iSAMN 2019), 20 August 2019

Biosynthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanomaterials from Plant Extracts and Future Green Prospects: A Topical Review
About the cover art:
This review highlights the recent research on biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanomaterials through the phytochemical compounds extracted in plants and summarizes the state-of-the-art mechanistic formation of zinc oxide on a molecular level by methodical analysis of preceding studies.

Surpassing 2D Photoabsorbers with Palm Fiber Upcycling as Highly Hydrophilic and Low-Cost Photothermal Materials for Improved Water Transport Interfacial Solar Steam Generation
About the cover art:
Carbonized oil palm fiber with the integration of polydopamine (PDA-cfiber) as an upcycling of biomass waste is used for the synthesis of a photoabsorber with enhanced solar absorbance and hydrophilicity for effective interfacial photothermal solar steam generation.