Dr Yuan’an Li

Yuan’an Li is originally from Anqing, Anhui, China, and received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and Technology from ZJUT. During his doctoral studies, he focused on heterogeneous electrocatalytic hydrogen/deuterium transfer processes, with research interests spanning catalyst design and construction, regulation of structural and electronic properties, and investigation of catalytic activity and reaction mechanisms. His work particularly focused on electrocatalytic hydrogen transfer using water as the hydrogen source, and its applications in hydrogenation, oxygen reduction, and hydrogen evolution reactions.

Yuan’an subsequently joined Prof. Cao’s research group as a postdoctoral researcher. His current research focuses on the design and construction of highly conductive covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and their derived catalytic materials for electrocatalytic applications. He is interested in developing electricity-driven, sustainable synthetic methods for the efficient and selective production of high-value-added chemicals. His research encompasses the construction and property regulation of novel COFs and COF-derived catalysts, as well as their applications in hydrogenation, selective oxidation, and diverse organic transformations. He is particularly interested in understanding the relationships between material structure, electronic properties, and catalytic performance, with the aim of developing new materials and methodologies for green electrocatalytic synthesis.

Outside the lab, Yuan’an enjoys road-tripping across China and exploring its diverse landscapes and natural scenery. In his spare time, he also enjoys fishing—although, interestingly, he does not actually like eating fish.