Headshot of Professor Zang.

Wenjie Zang

Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering

PhD, National University of Singapore, 2021

Office Location
305 Hopeman
Web Address
Website

Research Overview

Zang Research Group aims to advance the next-generation catalytic materials and devices for applications in energy, water, and the environment. We focus on developing efficient and durable catalysts with multi-dimensions, provide fundamental insights into catalytic mechanisms, and build next-generation battery devices to address challenges in energy conversion and storage, transportation, and sustainable technology. Through spatially resolved scanning transmission electron microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, we explore the interfacial properties, electronic and structural dynamics of materials, and leverage these understandings to develop better catalysts and push the performance to the limit.

Research Interests

  • Nano-scale heterogeneous catalysts
  • Advanced electron microscopy and spectroscopy
  • Clean energy and sustainability
  • Energy storage devices
  • Machine learning for materials science

Courses Offered (subject to change)

  • ME ***:  Advanced Materials Characterization

Selected Publications

  • Zang, W.; Lee, J.; Tieu, P; Yan, X.; Graham, G.; Tran, I.; Wang, P.; Christopher, P.; Pan, X.; Distribution of Pt single atom coordination environments on anatase TiO2 supports controls reactivity. Nat. Comm., 2024, 15, 998. (Featured as the Editor’s highlight paper)
  • Sun, T.; Tang, Z.; Zang, W. (co-first author); Li, Z.; Li, J.; Li, Z.; Cao, L.; Rodriguez J. S. D.; Mariano, C. O. M.; Xu, H.; et al. Ferromagnetic single-atom spin catalyst for boosting water splitting. Nat. Nanotechnol. 2023, 18, 763-771. (ESI’s highly cited paper)
  • Zang, W.; Sun, T.; Yang, T.; Xi, S.; Waqar. M.; Kou, Z.; Lyu, Z.; Feng, Y. P.; Wang, J.; Pennycook, S. J. Efficient hydrogen evolution of oxidized Ni-N3 defective sites for alkaline freshwater and seawater electrolysis. Adv. Mater. 2021, 33, 2003846. (ESI’s highly cited paper)
  • Zang, W.; Yang, T.; Zou, H.; Xi, S.; Zhang, H,; Liu, X.; Kou, Z.; Du, Y.; Feng, Y. P.; Shen, L.; et al. Copper single atoms anchored in porous nitrogen-doped carbon as efficient pH-universal catalysts for the nitrogen reduction reaction. ACS Catal., 2019, 9, 10166-10173. (ESI’s highly cited paper)
  • Zang, W.; Sumboja, A.; Ma, Y.; Zhang, H.; Wu, Y.; Wu, S.; Wu, H.; Liu, Z.; Guan, C.; Wang, J.; Pennycook, S. J. Single Co atoms anchored in porous N-doped carbon for efficient cathode in zinc-air battery. ACS Catal., 2018, 8, 8961-8969. (ESI’s highly cited paper)