Liyu Hou | Catalysis | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Liyu Hou | Catalysis | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Liyu Hou | China University of Petroleum | China

Mrs. Liyu Hou is a PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering and Technology at the State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum, where her research specializes in heterogeneous catalysis for propane dehydrogenation (PDH). Her work focuses on the design of non-noble metal catalysts supported on oxides or zeolites, with particular emphasis on defect engineering and advanced characterization techniques such as XRD, and in situ DRIFTS. She has made significant contributions to catalytic science by developing Y-doped  catalysts through coprecipitation, demonstrating optimal performance  initial propane conversion and greater than  propylene selectivity sustained after 10 cycles. Her studies revealed that Y³⁺ incorporation into the TiO₂ lattice forms Y–O–Ti bonds, enhances lattice stability, increases surface area, promotes Ti species reduction, and facilitates oxygen vacancy formation, all of which boost PDH efficiency. Furthermore, she has shown that appropriate Y doping stabilizes Ti⁴⁺cus sites and balances the weak-to-medium acid ratio, while excessive Y reduces catalytic activity due to pore blockage. Her research, published in the Journal of Rare Earths and supported by the NSFC and the National Key R&D Program of China, has already gained recognition with 13 citations across 2 documents and an h-index of 1, underscoring her growing impact in catalysis and sustainable energy research.

Profile:  Scopus 

Featured Publications

Liyu Hou, et al. (2025). Zr-doped TiO₂-x nano-oxide with coordinatively unsaturated Ti(Zr)-O acid-base pairs for efficient propane dehydrogenation. ACS Catalysis. Advance online publication.

 

 

Prof. Shenggang Li | Catalysis | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Chemistry Awards

Prof. Shenggang Li | Catalysis | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Shenggang Li | Catalysis | Professor at Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences China

Professor Shenggang Li is a distinguished computational catalysis researcher at the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He earned his Ph.D. in molecular spectroscopy from the University of Kentucky in 2004 and has since contributed significantly to computational catalysis. His research focuses on the mechanism of oxidative coupling of methane, higher alcohol synthesis, and CO₂ hydrogenation using In₂O₃-based catalysts. With over 190 peer-reviewed publications and 40 conference presentations, his work has been widely recognized. He has led multiple funded projects, including collaborations with Shell Global Solutions and the Natural Science Foundation of China. His computational studies have driven the rational design of catalysts for carbon dioxide and biomass valorization, some of which are being tested at the pilot scale for industrial applications. A member of the Chinese Chemical Society and the American Chemical Society, Prof. Li also serves on the editorial board of Heliyon Chemistry.

Professional Profile :                       

Orcid

Scopus  

Summary of Suitability for Award:

Prof. Shenggang Li is a distinguished researcher in computational catalysis with significant contributions to carbon dioxide utilization and heterogeneous catalysis. His research has led to the computer-aided design of high-performance catalysts for CO₂ hydrogenation and biomass valorization, with potential industrial applications. Having published over 180 peer-reviewed papers indexed by SCI and contributed to three book chapters, his impact in the field is evident through a citation index of 47 (Scopus). His collaborations with renowned international scientists and funding from prestigious agencies, including Shell Global Solutions and the Natural Science Foundation of China, further validate his research excellence. He is also an editorial board member of Heliyon Chemistry and an active member of Chinese Chemical Society and American Chemical Society. Prof. Shenggang Li’s exceptional research output, global collaborations, industrial relevance, and pioneering work in computational catalysis make him a highly suitable candidate for the “Best Researcher Award “. His research innovations have direct implications for sustainable energy and green chemistry, aligning with global scientific advancements.

🎓Education:

Shenggang Li obtained his Ph.D. in molecular spectroscopy from the University of Kentucky in 2004. His doctoral research laid a strong foundation for his expertise in computational chemistry and catalysis. Prior to that, he pursued his undergraduate and master’s degrees in chemistry, where he developed a deep understanding of reaction mechanisms and molecular interactions. Throughout his academic journey, he honed skills in quantum chemistry, first-principles simulations, and heterogeneous catalysis. His studies equipped him with a solid theoretical and computational background, enabling him to tackle complex problems in catalysis and reaction engineering. His postdoctoral training at The University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa further refined his research focus, preparing him for a distinguished career in computational catalysis. His academic achievements, combined with strong interdisciplinary knowledge, have allowed him to make pioneering contributions to catalyst design, particularly in CO₂ hydrogenation and methane activation.

🏢Work Experience:

Prof. Shenggang Li has an extensive research career spanning over two decades in computational catalysis. After completing his Ph.D., he worked as a researcher at The University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, where he collaborated on spectroscopic data interpretation and catalysis studies. He later joined the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he leads projects in computational catalyst design. His work has focused on CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol, oxidative coupling of methane, and biomass valorization. As a principal investigator, he secured multiple grants from Shell Global Solutions, the National Science Foundation of China, and the Ministry of Science and Technology of China. He has also collaborated with international research groups to advance the understanding of catalytic reaction mechanisms. His 47 Scopus-indexed citations and over 180 SCI-indexed publications highlight his impact in the field. His expertise in computational modeling has driven innovative solutions for sustainable energy applications.

🏅Awards: 

Professor Shenggang Li has received numerous accolades for his pioneering contributions to computational catalysis. He has secured funding from prestigious agencies, including the Natural Science Foundation of China, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, and Shell Global Solutions. His research has been recognized internationally, with invitations to present at over 40 global conferences. His 47 h-index (Scopus) and over 180 SCI-indexed publications underscore the significance of his work in catalysis. As an editorial board member of Heliyon Chemistry, he has contributed to the advancement of chemical research. He is an active member of the Chinese Chemical Society and the American Chemical Society, reflecting his global engagement in the scientific community. His computationally guided catalyst designs have reached the pilot scale, demonstrating industrial viability. His expertise and research excellence position him as a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

🔬Research Focus:

Prof. Shenggang Li specializes in computational catalysis, employing first-principles simulations, density functional theory (DFT), and artificial intelligence to design and optimize catalysts for sustainable chemical processes. His research primarily targets CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol, oxidative coupling of methane, and biomass valorization. His work on In₂O₃-based catalysts has led to significant advancements in CO₂-to-methanol conversion, providing industrially relevant solutions for carbon dioxide utilization. He has also developed bifunctional catalysts for direct CO₂ hydrogenation to gasoline, olefins, aromatics, and higher alcohols, some of which are currently in pilot-scale testing. His computational methodologies assist in the rational design of platinum-tungsten oxide catalysts for biomass conversion, improving efficiency and selectivity. His interdisciplinary approach, integrating quantum chemistry and machine learning, accelerates catalyst discovery and optimization. His innovations contribute to green chemistry, renewable energy, and sustainable industrial practices, making a profound impact on the field of computational catalysis.

Publication Top Notes:

Effects of oxygen vacancy formation energy and Pt doping on the CO2 hydrogenation activity of In2O3 catalysts

Year: 2025

Engineering ZrO2–Ru interface to boost Fischer-Tropsch synthesis to olefins

Citations: 5

Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis-A New Way for the Sustainable Recycling and Upgrading of Plastic and Biomass: A Review

Citations: 4

Computer-aided design of Pt/In2O3 single-atom catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol

Citations: 1

Li-promoted C3N4 catalyst for efficient isomerization of glucose into fructose at 50 °C in water

Citations: 3

Mechanism and structure-activity relationship of H2 and CO2 activation at the ZnO/Cu catalyst interface

Citations: 1

Tuning the selectivity of CO2 hydrogenation to alcohols by crystal structure engineering

Citations: 9

CO2-Assisted Dehydrogenation of Propane by Atomically Dispersed Pt on MXenes

Citations: 2

Molten-Salt Electrochemical-Assisted Synthesis of the CeO2-OV@GC Composite-Supported Pt Clusters with a Pt-O-Ce Structure for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Citations: 6

Corrigendum to “Understanding surface structures of In2O3 catalysts during CO2 hydrogenation reaction using time-resolved IR, XPS with in situ treatment, and DFT calculations”