Dr Chen Tianxiang

Academic Staff

Research Assistant Professor

TU504
+852 3400 6495
selwin.tx.chen@polyu.edu.hk

Research Overview

My research centers on the rational design of atomically precise catalysts to tackle challenges in hydrogen energy and biomass valorization. By integrating material synthesis with state-of-the-art synchrotron characterisation, I aim to decode the dynamic behavior of active sites at the atomic limit to guide the development of next-generation catalysts.

Achievements

FS Outstanding PhD Thesis Award 2022/23 (PolyU)

Chen, T.; Li, Y.; Ho, P.-L.; Leung, K. C.; Liu, J.; Wun, C. K. T.; Li, Z.; Tang, C. C.; Kawaguchi, S.; Wu, T.-S.; Soo, Y.-L.; Yin, J.; Tsang, S. C. E.; Lo, T. W. B. Unraveling the Nuclearity Effect of Atomically Choreographed Triatom Cu3 Clusters Supported on Zeolites. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2025, 147, 17170–17180. DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c02706.
He, Z.; Li, K.; Chen, T.; Feng, Y.; Villalobos-Portillo, E.; Marini, C.; Lo, T. W. B.; Yang, F.; Zhang, L.; Liu, L. High-Purity Hydrogen Production from Dehydrogenation of Methylcyclohexane Catalyzed by Zeolite-Encapsulated Subnanometer Platinum-Iron Clusters. Nat. Commun. 2025, 16, 92. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55370-z.
Liu, H.; Zhang, Y.; Liu, L.;Chen, T.; Zhang, X.; Hu, P.; Xiong, C.; Zhou, J.; Zhang, H.; Dong, L.; Lo, T. W. B.; Nan, B.; He, X.; Ji, H. Platinum Clusters Stabilized by Zincosilicate Zeolite for Efficient Propane Dehydrogenation. Chinese J. Catal. 2025, 71, 208–219. DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(24)60258-5.
Fu, G.; Li, Y.; Hou, Z.; Wang, S.; Jiang, S.; Chen, T.; Lo, T. W. B.; Chen, X. Diatomic Cobalt–Catalyzed Cyclization of o-Aminobenzyl Alcohol with Amidine for the Synthesis of Quinazolines. J. Catal. 2025, 442, 115889. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2024.115889.
Zhu, C.; Li, W.; Chen, T.; He, Z.; Villalobos, E.; Marini, C.; Zhou, J.; Lo, T. W. B.; Xiao, H.; Liu, L. Boosting the Stability of Subnanometer Pt Catalysts by the Presence of Framework Indium(III) Sites in Zeolite. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202409784. DOI: 10.1002/anie.202409784.
Chen, T.; Yu, W.; Wun, C. K. T.; Wu, T. S.; Sun, M.; Day, S. J.; Li, Z.; Yuan, B.; Wang, Y.; Li, M.; Wang, Z.; Peng, Y. K.; Yu, W. Y.; Wong, K. Y.; Huang, B.; Liang, T.; Lo, T. W. B. Cu-Co Dual-Atom Catalysts Supported on Hierarchical USY Zeolites for an Efficient Cross-Dehydrogenative C(Sp2)-N Coupling Reaction. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 8273–8284. DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c00114.
Chen, T.; Wang, Y.; Xue, Q.; Wun, C. K. T.; So, P. K.; Yung, K. F.; Wu, T.-S.; Soo, Y.-L.; Taniya, K.; Day, S.; Tang, C. C.; Li, Z.; Huang, B.; Tsang, S. C. E.; Wong, K. Y.; Lo, T. W. B. Atomically Precise Bimetallic Metal Ensembles with Tailorable Synergistic Effects. Cell Rep. Phys. Sci. 2022, 3, 100850. DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2022.100850.
Wun, C. K. T.; Mok, H. K.;Chen, T.; Wu, T. S.; Taniya, K.; Nakagawa, K.; Day, S.; Tang, C. C.; Huang, Z.; Su, H.; Yu, W. Y.; Lee, T. K. W.; Lo, T. W. B. Atomically Dispersed 3d Metal Bimetallic Dual-Atom Catalysts and Classification of the Structural Descriptors. Chem Catal. 2022, 2, 2346–2363. DOI: 10.1016/j.checat.2022.08.003.
Chen, T.; Ye, L.; Lo, T. W. B. Designing the Electronic and Geometric Structures of Single-Atom and Nanocluster Catalysts. J. Mater. Chem. A 2021, 9, 18773–18784. DOI: 10.1039/D1TA04473D.
Chen, T.; Huang, B.; Day, S.; Tang, C. C.; Tsang, S. C. E.; Wong, K. Y.; Lo, T. W. B. Differential Adsorption of L- and d-Lysine on Achiral MFI Zeolites as Determined by Synchrotron X-Ray Powder Diffraction and Thermogravimetric Analysis. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 1093–1097. DOI: 10.1002/anie.201911961.