Dr. Zhongwei Chen


Canadian Research Chair Professor
in Advanced Materials for Clean Energy

Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology
Department of Chemical Engineering
University of Waterloo

Dr. Chen's Google Scholar Citations

Dr. Chen's Research Gate Profile

 

Research:

  • Nanostructured fuel cell catalysts
  • Nanocomposite membranes for fuel cell and water purification
  • Zeolite nanoparticles and membrane
  • Advanced nanostructured conductive polymer
  • Nanostructured Materials towards device application

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    Education:

  • PhD, University of California – Riverside
  • MSChE, East China University of Science and Technology, China
  • BS, Nanjing University of Technology, China

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    Research and Work Experience:

  • 1/2018 – Canada Research Chair in Advanced Material for Clean Energy (Tier 1), University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
  • 2018 – Present Director of Waterloo Center for Electrochemical Energy Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
  • 11/2014 – 12/2017 Canada Research Chair in Advanced Material for Clean Energy (Tier 2), University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
  • 2/2017 – Present Professor, Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
  • 2013 – 2017 Director of Collaborative Graduate Program in Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
  • 7/2013 – 1/2017 Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
  • 9/2008 – 6/2013 Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
  • 9/2007 – 8/2008 MPA–11 Sensors and Electrochemical Devices, Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA
  • 9/2003 – 8/2007 Research Assistant, University of California, Riverside, USA
  • 9/2003 – 8/2008 Research Assistant, East China University of Science and Technology, China
  • 9/1999 – 8/2002 Process Engineer, Jiangnan–Xiaoyetian Concrete Co.Ltd, China
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    Patents:

  • Yan, Y. S.; Wang, X.; Li, W. Z.; Waje, M.; Chen, Z. W.; Goddard, W. A.; Deng, W. Q., Carbon based electrocatalysts for fuel cell., PCT Int. Appl. (2006), 62pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 2006099593 A2 20060921
  • Yan, Y. S.; Chen, Z. W., Platinum and Platinum Based Alloy Nanotubes as Electrocatalysts for Fuel Cells, PCT Int. Appl. (2007), 53pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 2007100811 A2 20070907
  • Yan, Y. S.; Chen, Z. W., Non-Pt Metal/Nanoporous Graphitic Carbon Nitride Composite Catalysts for Fuel Cells
  • Yan, Y. S.; Chen, Z. W., Unsupported Nanoporous Pt and Pt-alloy Catalysts for Fuel Cells
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    Selected References:

  • Chen, Z.; Yu, A.; Higgins, D. C.; Li, H.; Wang, H.; Chen, Z. W., Highly Active and Durable Core-Corona Structured Bifunctional Catalyst for Rechargeable Metal-Air Battery Application. Nano Letters 2012
  • Chen, Z. W.; Higgins, D. C.; Yu, A.; Zhang, L.; Zhang, J., A review on non-precious metal electrocatalysts for PEM fuel cells. Energy & Environmental Science 2011 (One of the top ten most read EES articles), 4, 3167-3192.
  • Li, W.; Yu, A.; Higgins, D. C.; Lianos, B.; Chen, Z. W., Biologically Inspired Highly Durable Iron Phthalocyanine Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in PEM Fuel Cells. Journal of the American Chemical Society 2010, 132 (48), 17056-17058.
  • Yu, A.; Roes, I.; Davies, A.; Chen, Z. W., Ultrathin, transparent, and flexible graphene films for supercapacitor application. Applied Physics Letters 2010, 96 (25), 253105.
  • Choi J.; Hsu, R.S. Chen, Z. W., Highly Active Nitrogen-Doped Highly Active Porous Carbon-Supported Nonprecious Metal-N Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in PEM Fuel Cells. Journal of Physical Chemistry C 2010, 114 (17), 8048-8053.
  • Chen, Z.; Higgins, D.; Tao, H.; Hsu, R.S.; Chen, Z. W.; Highly Active Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanotubes for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Fuel Cell Applications. Journal of Physical Chemistry C 2009, 113(49), 21008-21013.
  • Alabi, C.A.; Chen, Z.; Yan, Y.S.; Davis, M.E., Insights into the Nature of Synergistic Effects in Proton-Conducting 4,4-1H,1H-Bitriazole-Poly(ethylene oxide) Composites. Chemistry of Materials 2009, 21(19), 4645-4652.
  • Gu, S.; Cai, R.; Lou, T.; Chen, Z. W.; Sun M. W; He, G. H.; Yan, Y. S., A Soluble and Highly Conductive Ionomer for High-Performance Hydroxide Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells. Angewandte Chemie, International Edition 2009, (VIP) (Very Important Paper and Cover Picture), 48(35), 6499-6502.
  • Cai, R.; Sun, M. W.; Chen, Z. W.; Yan, Y. S., Ionothermal Synthesis of Oriented Zeolite AEL Films and their Application as Corrosion-Resistant Coatings. Angewandte Chemie, International Edition 2008, (VIP) (Very Important Paper and Cover Picture; highlight; C&EN News Report) 47(3), 525-528.
  • Chen, Z. W.; Waje, M.; Li, W. Z.; Yan, Y. S., Supportless Pt and PtPd nanotubes as electrocatalysts for oxygen-reduction reactions. Angewandte Chemie, International Edition 2007, (VIP) 46, (22), 4060-4063. (Very Important Paper and Frontpiece Cover Picture).
  • Wang, X. Q.; Liu, R.; Mahesh, W.; Chen, Z. W.; Yan, Y. S.; Bozhilov, K. N.; Feng, P. Y., Sulfonated Ordered Mesoporous Carbon as a Stable and Highly Active Protonic Acid Catalyst. Chemistry of Materials 2007, 19, (10), 2395-2397.
  • Chen, Z. W.; Holmberg, B.; Li, W. Z.; Wang, X.; Deng, W. Q.; Munoz, R.; Yan, Y. S., Nafion/zeolite nanocomposite membrane by in situ crystallization for a direct methanol fuel cell. Chemistry of Materials 2006, 18, (24), 5669-5675.
  • Chen, Z. W.; Li, S.; Yan, Y. S., Synthesis of template-free zeolite nanocrystals by reverse microemulsion-microwave method. Chemistry of Materials 2005, 17, (9), 2262-2266.
  • Li, S.; Li, Z. J.; Bozhilov, K. N.; Chen, Z. W.; Yan, Y. S., TEM investigation of formation mechanism of monocrystal-thick b-oriented pure silica zeolite MFI film. Journal of the American Chemical Society 2004, 126, (34), 10732-10737.
  • Li, S.; Wang, X.; Beving, D.; Chen, Z. W.; Yan, Y. S., Molecular sieving in a nanoporous b-oriented pure-silica-zeolite MFI monocrystal film. Journal of the American Chemical Society 2004, 126, (13), 4122-4123.

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    Honours and Awards:

  • Highly Cited Researchers 2020 Clarivate Analytics (formerly Thomson Reuters), International Award (2020).
  • Highly Cited Researchers 2019 Clarivate Analytics (formerly Thomson Reuters), International Award (2019).
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada The Royal Society of Canada, Canada (2019).
  • Canada Research Chair in Advanced Materials for Clean Energy (Tier 1) Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Canada (2018).
  • Highly Cited Researchers 2018 Clarivate Analytics (formerly Thomson Reuters) International Award (2018).
  • Research Excellence Awards International Academy of Electrochemical Energy Science (IAOEES), International Award (2018).
  • Rutherford Memorial Medal in Chemistry The Royal Society of Canada, Canada (2017).
  • 2017 Fellow of The Canadian Academy of Engineering The Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE), Canada (2017).
  • Member of Royal of Royal Society of Canada's College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists The Royal Society of Canada (RSC), Canada (2016).
  • Globally Most Cited Researchers in Energy Science and Engineering Elsevier & Shanghai Ranking Consultancy, International Award (2016).
  • E.W.R Steacie Memorial Fellowship Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Canada (2016).
  • R&D100 Awards Finalist 2015 R&D 100 Awards & Technology Conference, International Award (2015).
  • Faculty of Engineering Distinguished Performance Award University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada (2015).
  • Leaders Opportunity Fund Award Canada Foundation for Innovation, Canada (2015).
  • Canada Research Chair in Advanced Materials for Clean Energy (Tier 2) Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Canada (2014).
  • NSERC Discovery Accelerator Supplements Award Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Canada (2014).
  • Vice President, IAOEES The International Academy of Electrochemical Energy Science (IAOEES), International Honour (2014 - 2017).
  • Early Researcher Award, Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation, Ontario, Canada (2012).
  • Dr. Bernard S. Baker Award, Fuel Cell Seminar, San Antonio, Texas, USA (2007).
  • Chancellor’s Dissertation Fellowship, University of California, Riverside, California, USA (2007).
  • ECS Travel Grant, The Electrochemical Society (ECS), San Antonio, Pennington, New Jersey, USA (2007).
  • William R. Pierson/Ford Graduate Fellowship , University of California, Riverside, California, USA (2006).
  • Best Poster Presentation, Graduate Poster Session, University of California, Riverside, California, USA (2006).
  • College Fellowship Award, Graduate University of California, Riverside, California, USA (2003).