Xiaoyu Zhao - PhD student (9/2025 -)
Xiaoyu Zhao is a PhD student starting in September 2025 under the supervision of Dr Qiei Song. He received his BSc in Chemical Engineering from East China University of Science and Technology, where he received training in electrochemical engineering and organic chemistry. He then completed MSc in Chinese Academy of Sciences and carried out research in anion exchange membrane water electrolysis, with Dr Hui Yang. His PhD research will focus on the design and synthesis of ion-exchange membranes with an optimized microporous structure that satisfy the critical demands of efficient transport, stability, and long-term performance for electrochemical energy conversion and storage.
Brief Introduction to Research
Ion exchange membranes are critical components in modern electrochemical devices for separations and energy conversion and storage. However, commercial ion exchange membranes such as Nafion are expensive and their performance do not fully meet the requirements. There are other challenges such as low ion conductivity, poor water/gas management, and poor chemical stability.
To solve these challenges, Zhao’s PhD project will focus on precise control over pore structure in IEMs. The project involves the development of polymerization chemistry and fundamental understanding of structures of polymer chains to build interconnected microporous networks composed of rigid, twisted macromolecular structures while adjusting the polarity around the micropores. This strategy will create more flexible and tunable transport pathways for both ions and water/gas, preventing the formation of isolated water clusters and minimizing energy barriers. Ion exchange membranes with efficient mass transport pathways and ion selectivity would find a wide range of applications in electrochemical devices critical for net zero.
Selected Publication
Xiaoyu Zhao, Wangbo Li, Lida Fang, Yongyu Pan, Huidong Qian, Zhiqing Zou, Zhouying Yue*, and Hui Yang*. Anion Exchange Polyelectrolytes with High Branching Ratio and Adjustable Free Volume for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis. Chem. – Eur. J. e202500984 (2025).
Run Zhang, Xiaoyu Zhao, Wenhao Li, Huidong Qian* and Hui Yang*. Partially fluorinated poly(arylene-alkane)s containing cobaltocenium for alkaline-stable anion exchange membranes. Chem. Commun. 2023,59, 5289-5292
Yifan Zhao, Zhiyuan Chen, Xuan Gao, Haobo Dong, Xiaoyu Zhao, Guanjie He*, Hui Yang*. In-Situ Self-Respiratory Solid-to-Hydrogel Electrolyte Interface Evoked Well-Distributed Deposition on Zinc Anode for Highly Reversible Zinc-Ion Batteries. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. e202415251(2025).
Hanlin Yao, Li Wan, Xiaoyu Zhao, Yahui Guo, Jian Zhou, Xiaofan Bo, Yuxin Mao, and Zhong Xin. Effective Phosphorylation of 2,2′-Methylene-bis(4,6-di- tert -butyl) Phenol in Continuous Flow Reactors. Org. Process Res. Dev. 25, 2060–2070 (2021).