Prof. Ong Wee Jun and Team Publish in Advanced Functional Materials
The Research and Postgraduate Centre congratulates Grayson Ling Zhi Sheng, Chiah Zi-Jing, Prof. Chen Binghui, and Prof. Ong Wee Jun (corresponding author) from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering and the Center of Excellence for NaNo Energy & Catalysis Technology (CONNECT) for their recent article published in Advanced Functional Materials, an SCI Q1 journal with the latest impact factor of 18.5. According to Clarivate (Web of Science), Advanced Functional Materials ranks in the top 4% of journals in the multidisciplinary chemistry category.
The paper “In Situ Construction of Fuzzy Sea-Urchin ZnIn2S4/W18O49: Leveraging Interfacial Z-Scheme Redox Sites toward Cooperative Electron–Hole Utilization in Photocatalysis” introduces a method for in situ constructing a fuzzy sea-urchin-like composite of ZnIn2S4 and W18O49. This novel design leverages interfacial Z-scheme redox sites to boost photocatalytic efficiency by promoting cooperative electron-hole utilization. The unique fuzzy sea-urchin structure enhances the interaction between the two materials, resulting in improved charge separation and transfer during photocatalysis. The research focuses on the application of this innovative catalyst in fully utilizing electron-hole pairs for simultaneous redox reactions, driving both hydrogen evolution and the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde.
The published full article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202409320
The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (FRGS/1/2024/TK08/XMU/02/1), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22202168), the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2021A1515111019), and the State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University (2023X11). This work was also funded by the Xiamen University Malaysia Investigatorship Grant (IENG/0038), Research Fund (ICOE/0001 and XMUMRF/2021-C8/IENG/0041), and Hengyuan International Sdn Bhd (EENG/0003).
Exciting Postgraduate and Postdoc Opportunities at CONNECT, XMUM Right Now! Fully funded Master's, PhD, and postdoctoral positions are available in my CONNECT group at Xiamen University Malaysia, focusing on photocatalytic CO2 conversion to clean fuels using tunable 2D nanocatalysts. These opportunities are supported by the 2024 Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) from the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE) and a special grant from PETRONAS. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by sending their CV to Prof. Dr. Ong Wee Jun at weejun.ong@xmu.edu.my. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an online interview. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.
Figure. Graphical abstract of the work on the synthesis of ZnIn2S4/W18O49 photocatalysts and the photocatalytic enhancement toward dual-functional redox reactions in the production of clean energy and sustainable chemical fuels.
