Zhong group’s research activities cover three categories: (1) heterogeneous catalysis, (2) waste water treatment and solid waste utilization, and (3) nanosized materials or materials chemistry.

We aim to address the fundamental problems in catalysis and develop related leading-edge technologies using multidisciplinary approaches. For example, we will design and develop various heterogeneous catalysts with good control at nanometer or even atomic scale, and try to gain deep insights into the structure-catalytic property relationships for some catalysts/reactions by employing state-of-the-art characterization techniques. In particular, this includes in situ analytic techniques such as in situ TEM, XPS and FTIR (DRIFTS), which can reveal catalyst structures at molecular and atomic level and capture essential reaction intermediates. Considering severe environmental problems around the world, particularly in China, environmental remediation will be of our top concern. Novel approaches for wastewater treatment and solid waste utilization will also be explored.

Potential research topics and areas for the near future include catalytic conversion of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) into value-added products; removal/degradation of organic volatile compounds in air, and of refractory and toxic organic pollutants in industrial wastewaters, e-waste recovery and utilization of plastic and rubbers, etc.

Some details can be found at https://www.gtiit.edu.cn/en/viewStaff.aspx?staffNo=50