Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shiqun Wu | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award
Associate Professor from East China University of Science and Technology, China
Dr. Shiqun Wu is an accomplished Associate Professor and Master’s Supervisor at the School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST). He is a dynamic researcher specializing in photocatalytic materials, with a sharp focus on developing sustainable solutions for energy conversion and environmental remediation. His scientific pursuits contribute significantly to China’s national objectives in carbon neutrality and clean energy innovation. Dr. Wu has authored over 20 SCI-indexed research articles in prestigious journals such as JACS, Angewandte Chemie, Advanced Materials, and Chem, reflecting both the quality and impact of his work. His extensive research has led to over ten patent filings, with two granted, underscoring his efforts to bridge fundamental science with practical application. He has also secured several competitive national and regional grants and actively mentors students, leading them to win top innovation awards. With active roles in editorial boards and professional societies, Dr. Wu continues to shape the research landscape in renewable energy and catalysis. His career reflects a balanced integration of academic excellence, research leadership, and societal relevance, positioning him as an outstanding candidate for recognitions such as the Best Researcher Award.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Shiqun Wu has pursued his entire academic career at East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), a leading institution in applied sciences in China. He began with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Chemistry from ECUST, graduating in 2016. During his undergraduate studies, he developed a strong foundation in chemical principles and laboratory techniques, which laid the groundwork for his research trajectory. Following this, he continued at ECUST to pursue a Ph.D. in Applied Chemistry, awarded in 2021 under the mentorship of Professor Jinlong Zhang, a foreign academician of the European Academy of Sciences. His doctoral research focused on the atomic-level design of photocatalytic materials for energy and environmental applications, establishing him as a capable and innovative researcher early in his career. Dr. Wu’s academic training provided him with deep theoretical knowledge and practical expertise in catalysis, nanomaterials, and photochemistry, all essential areas for addressing energy conversion challenges. His educational journey reflects a seamless and accelerated transition from student to scientist, and now to a university-level educator and mentor, equipping him with the pedagogical and technical capabilities to guide the next generation of chemists.
Professional Experience
Dr. Wu’s professional experience has been entirely centered at East China University of Science and Technology, allowing him to develop within a cohesive academic and research environment. After completing his Ph.D. in 2021, he was appointed as a Postdoctoral Fellow at ECUST, where he continued his research under the guidance of Professor Jinlong Zhang. During this three-year postdoctoral phase, he led multiple high-impact research projects, including those funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation. His efforts resulted in significant contributions to the field of photocatalysis and material science. In June 2024, Dr. Wu was promoted to the position of Associate Professor in the School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering. In this role, he not only continues his research but also supervises master’s students, mentors undergraduates, and engages in curriculum development. His progression from student to faculty member within the same institution signifies both loyalty and academic maturity. His career reflects strong leadership, project management, and collaboration with peers and students alike. The continuity and depth of his institutional experience also empower him to influence departmental research direction, making him a valuable asset to ECUST’s academic community.
Research Interests
Dr. Shiqun Wu’s research is primarily focused on the development and engineering of photocatalytic materials aimed at energy conversion and environmental remediation. His work plays a critical role in addressing the global challenges of carbon emissions and sustainable energy. Specifically, his research targets the green transformation of inert molecules such as methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and nitrogen (N₂), aligning with national and international goals of carbon peaking and neutrality. He investigates atomic-level control of catalyst surface active sites and explores the underlying mechanisms of molecular activation, aiming to optimize efficiency and selectivity in photocatalytic processes. Dr. Wu is especially interested in single-atom catalysts, spin polarization effects, and structure-performance relationships. His interdisciplinary approach blends inorganic chemistry, material science, surface chemistry, and reaction engineering. Through precise material design and performance evaluation, he seeks to advance new-generation photocatalysts with superior conversion efficiencies under solar or visible light. His work contributes to cleaner chemical processes and greener technologies, reinforcing his status as a high-impact researcher. These interests not only contribute to the advancement of academic science but also offer scalable and practical solutions for industrial environmental challenges.
Research Skills
Dr. Wu possesses an advanced skill set that spans synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation of nanostructured photocatalysts. His expertise includes atomic-level engineering of catalyst surfaces, single-atom dispersion techniques, and the controlled doping of semiconducting materials for enhanced light-driven reactions. He is proficient in a range of experimental methods, including solid-phase synthesis, hydrothermal methods, and sol-gel techniques for preparing oxide-based nanomaterials. Dr. Wu also excels in using advanced characterization tools such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to probe the structural and chemical properties of catalysts. Furthermore, he is skilled in photochemical and photoelectrochemical measurement techniques to assess the catalytic performance, quantum efficiencies, and charge transport properties of photocatalysts. His ability to integrate computational insights with experimental data enhances his understanding of catalytic mechanisms. Dr. Wu’s interdisciplinary approach—spanning materials design, reaction engineering, and mechanism analysis—equips him to develop practical and scalable solutions. His research capabilities are further enriched by experience in leading research teams, writing competitive grant proposals, mentoring graduate students, and disseminating findings through high-impact publications and patents.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Shiqun Wu has received a wide range of prestigious awards and honors throughout his academic and research career, recognizing both his scientific excellence and leadership. He has been the recipient of the Shanghai “Rising Star” Talent Program, the Postdoctoral Innovative Talent Support Program, and the Shanghai “Super Postdoc” Incentive Program. His successful applications to the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation reflect his ability to secure highly competitive research funding. Dr. Wu has also demonstrated excellence in mentorship, serving as the first advisor to student teams that won Gold and Bronze Awards at the China International University Student Innovation Competition and the China “Internet+” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. He was a National Finalist in the China Postdoctoral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition and was named an Excellent Postdoctoral Researcher in Shanghai in 2021. During his Ph.D., he received the National Graduate Scholarship, the Zhang Jiang Excellent Ph.D. Fellowship, and the third prize in the ACS Graduate Research Achievement Contest. These accolades reflect not only his scientific merit but also his commitment to educational and societal advancement through innovation and collaboration.
Conclusion
Dr. Shiqun Wu represents a new generation of chemists who integrate deep theoretical understanding with experimental rigor to address some of the most pressing challenges in energy and environmental science. His work in photocatalytic materials demonstrates both creativity and precision, aiming to transform inert molecules into valuable chemicals using sustainable, light-driven processes. With over 20 high-impact publications and more than ten patent filings, he has established a strong research profile at an early stage of his career. His contributions extend beyond the lab through effective mentorship, academic leadership, and successful project management. While his international visibility could benefit from further global collaboration and independent project branding, his current trajectory is highly promising. Dr. Wu’s interdisciplinary skills, strategic research focus, and dedication to innovation position him as an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work not only contributes to the scientific community but also aligns with broader environmental and societal goals, reflecting both intellectual merit and practical relevance. As he continues to grow in his academic role, Dr. Wu is expected to make transformative contributions to the field of green chemistry and sustainable catalysis.
Publications Top Notes
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Core–Shell MIL-125(Ti)@In2S3 S-Scheme Heterojunction for Boosting CO2 Photoreduction
Authors: Mazhar Khan, Zeeshan Akmal, Muhammad Tayyab, Seemal Mansoor, Dongni Liu, Junwen Ding, Ziwei Ye, Jinlong Zhang, Shiqun Wu, Lingzhi Wang
Journal: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
Year: 2025 (May 16)
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5c03817 -
Regulating Atomically‐Precise Pt Sites for Boosting Light‐Driven Dry Reforming of Methane
Authors: Chengxuan He, Qixin Li, Zhicheng Ye, Lijie Wang, Yalin Gong, Songting Li, Jiaxin Wu, Zhaojun Lu, Shiqun Wu, Jinlong Zhang
Journal: Angewandte Chemie
Year: 2024 (Nov 11)
DOI: 10.1002/ange.202412308 -
Optimizing Reaction Kinetics and Thermodynamics for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction through Spin Polarization Manipulation
Authors: Mingyang Li, Shiqun Wu, Dongni Liu, Zhicheng Ye, Chengxuan He, Jinlong Wang, Xiaoyi Gu, Zehan Zhang, Huizi Li, Jinlong Zhang
Journal: ACS Catalysis
Year: 2024 (Sept 20)
DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.4c03802 -
Engineering Spatially Adjacent Redox Sites with Synergistic Spin Polarization Effect to Boost Photocatalytic CO2 Methanation
Authors: Mingyang Li, Shiqun Wu, Dongni Liu, Zhicheng Ye, Lijie Wang, Miao Kan, Ziwei Ye, Mazhar Khan, Jinlong Zhang
Journal: Journal of the American Chemical Society
Year: 2024 (June 5)
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c04264 -
Single‐Atom Alloys Materials for CO2 and CH4 Catalytic Conversion
Authors: Chengxuan He, Yalin Gong, Songting Li, Jiaxin Wu, Zhaojun Lu, Qixin Li, Lingzhi Wang, Shiqun Wu, Jinlong Zhang
Journal: Advanced Materials
Year: 2024 (April)
DOI: 10.1002/adma.202311628 -
Boosting CO production from visible-light CO2 photoreduction via defects-induced electronic-structure tuning and reaction-energy optimization on ultrathin carbon nitride
Authors: J. Li, C. He, J. Wang, X. Gu, Z. Zhang, H. Li, M. Li, L. Wang, S. Wu, J. Zhang
Journal: Green Chemistry
Year: 2023
DOI: 10.1039/d3gc02371k -
Combing Hollow Shell Structure and Z-Scheme Heterojunction Construction for Promoting CO2 Photoreduction
Authors: Z. Deng, J. Cao, S. Hu, S. Wu, M. Xing, J. Zhang
Journal: Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Year: 2023
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.3c01375