Interviews with Faculty Researchers

– Interview with Prof. Wang Lianzhou
Chair Professor of Energy Materials, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology

Prof. Wang Lianzhou leads cutting-edge research on semiconductor nanomaterials for renewable energy conversion and storage, with a focus on solar-to-chemical and solar -to-electricity conversion and storage systems. His work addresses two major challenges in the field: efficiency and cost. By designing advanced catalysts and electrode materials, his team aims to improve energy conversion—from solar water splitting to hydrogen production—and storage capacities in batteries, making renewable technologies more practical and economically competitive.

A key focus of Prof. Wang’s research is improving solar water splitting—a well-established process for generating green hydrogen through artificial photosynthesis. His team develops advanced semiconductor nanomaterials to boost the efficiency and stability of this reaction. While titanium dioxide remains a reliable, low-cost photocatalyst, its limited sunlight absorption restricts performance. He is designing new materials that capture a broader solar spectrum, aiming to significantly enhance conversion efficiency and move solar hydrogen production closer to large-scale application.

Prof. Wang’s team has incorporated AI and machine learning to accelerate materials discovery, particularly in designing catalysts and selecting dopants. Though the approaches are currently constrained by the limited size and reliability of current databases, AI assisted approach is promising and has huge potential, allowing faster identification of potential materials, guiding experimental validation and development.

Beyond renewable energy, Prof. Wang’s research has expanded into industrial and environmental applications. His group is scaling up cathode materials for commercial batteries and developing new catalysts that can decompose high-crystalline plastics into reusable monomers, offering a sustainable pathway for plastic recycling. He is also advancing eco-friendly, lead-free perovskite solar cells, achieving certified record efficiencies and paving the way for flexible, semi-transparent and indoor solar technologies.

Several of Prof. Wang’s innovations in semiconductor materials have been patented, ranging from UV-blocking nanomaterials used in cosmetics to new-generation battery electrodes, plastic upcycling catalysts and lead-free perovskite solar cells. His team continues to explore collaborations with industry partners in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area to bring these technologies closer to commercialization.

Through his work, Prof. Wang exemplifies the integration of fundamental science, innovative materials design and translational research, driving sustainable solutions for the world’s energy and environmental challenges.

可再生能源與可持續技術的半導體納米材料研究

– 王連洲教授專訪
應用生物及化學科技學系能源材料講座教授

王連洲教授致力研究可再生能源轉換，以及用作儲存能源之半導體納米材料，尤其專注於將太陽能轉化為化學能與電能的相關系統。透過研發先進的催化劑及電極物料，他的團隊不斷提升能源轉換及電池儲能的效能，讓可再生能源技術變得更為實用且具成本效益。

王教授的研究核心之一是提升太陽能分解水技術，以人工光合作用產生綠色氫能。雖然二氧化鈦一直是可靠且成本較低的光催化劑，但其對陽光吸收範圍有限，導致效率受限。他相信，透過設計出能吸收更寬廣太陽光譜的高性能新型半導體納米材料，能大幅提升轉換效率及穩定性，讓太陽能製氫技術能邁向大規模應用。

王教授亦引入了人工智能與機器學習技術，以加快研發進度。雖然現階段資料庫的規模與可靠性仍受限，但人工智能的確能協助更快地尋找具潛力的材料，包括催化劑及材料結構，並為實驗提供方向。

除了可再生能源，王教授的研究亦拓展至工業與環境應用範疇，當中包括推動量產商業電池正極物，及研發能將高結晶度塑膠分解為可再利用單體的新型催化劑，為塑膠回收提供可持續的解決方案。此外，他亦致力研發環保型無鉛鈣鈦礦太陽能電池，並已取得認證的世界記錄，為柔性、半透明及室內太陽能技術研發提供了新方向。

王教授在半導體材料的多項創新研究已取得專利，包括用於化妝品的防紫外線納米材料、新一代電池電極、塑膠升級再造催化劑，以及無鉛鈣鈦礦太陽能電池等多個範疇。他的團隊亦不斷與區內產業夥伴合作，以將這些技術應用其中。

王連洲教授的研究充份體現出基礎科學、創新材料設計與轉化研究的多方面融合，為全球提供可持續的創新解決方案。