The research interest is focused on the solar-to-chemical energy conversion with an emphasis on materials with wide visible light utilization. The specific reactions include: water splitting to produce hydrogen, photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to solar fuels, and photocatalytic synthesis of ammonia from N₂ etc. Meanwhile, we are devoted to developing novel materials with wide visible light response, efficient electrocatalytic materials for conversion of N₂, H₂O and CO₂ etc. 

The research topics are as follows:

1) To fabricate photocatalytic overall water splitting systems;

2) To develop novel photocatalytic materials with wide visible light utilization;

3) To develop efficient catalytic materials for conversion of small molecules;

4) To construct photocatalytic systems for NH₃ synthesis and CO₂ conversion;

5) To carry out spatial-temporal resolved spectra, in-situ characterizations, and theoretical simulation etc.

1.Heterostructure of 1D Ta₃N₅ nanorod/BaTaO₂N nanoparticle fabricated by a one-step ammonia thermal route for remarkably promoted solar hydrogen production 
Beibei Dong, Junyan Cui, Yuying Gao, Yu Qi, Fuxiang Zhang*, Can Li*.
Advanced Materials, 2019, 31, 1808185.

2.Visible-light-responsive 2D cadmium–organic framework single crystals with dual functions of water reduction and oxidation 
Yejun Xiao, Yu Qi, Xiuli Wang, Xiaoyu Wang, Fuxiang Zhang*, Can Li*.
Advanced Materials, 2018, 30, 1803401.

3.Development of novel perovskite-like oxide photocatalyst LiCuTa₃O₉ with dual functions of water reduction and oxidation under visible light irradiation 
Beibei Dong, Junyan Cui, Taifeng Liu, Yuying Gao, Yu Qi, Deng Li, Fengqiang Xiong, Fuxiang Zhang*, Can Li*.
Advanced Energy Materials, 2018, 8, 1801660.

4. Redox-based visible-light-driven Z-scheme overall water splitting with apparent quantum efficiency exceeding 10%
Yu Qi, Yue Zhao, Yuying Gao, Deng Li, Zhen Li, Fuxiang Zhang*, Can Li*.
Joule, 2018, 2, 2393-2402.

5.Surface strategies for particulate photocatalysts toward artificial photosynthesis 
Shanshan Chen, Yu Qi, Can Li, Kazunari Domen, Fuxiang Zhang*.
Joule, 2018, 2, 2260-2288.

6.Achievement of visible-light-driven Z-scheme overall water splitting using barium-modified Ta₃N₅ as a H₂-evolving photocatalyst  
Yu Qi, Shanshan Chen, Mingrun Li, Qian Ding, Zheng Li, Junyan Cui, Beibei Dong, Fuxiang Zhang*,Can Li*.
Chemical Science, 2017, 8, 437-443.

7.CoO_xnanoparticle anchored on sulfonated-graphite as efficient water oxidation catalyst 
Jingqi Guan, Chunmei Ding, Ruotian Chen, Baokun Huang, Xianwen Zhang, Fengtao Fan, Fuxiang Zhang *, Can Li*. 
Chemical Science, 2017, 8, 6111-6116.

8.Synthesis and demonstration of subnanometric iridium oxide as highly efficient and robust water oxidation catalyst  
Jingqi Guan, Deng Li, Rui Si, Shu Miao, Fuxiang Zhang*, Can Li*. 
ACS Catalysis, 2017, 7, 5983−5986.

9.Efficient visible-Light-Driven Z-Scheme overall water splitting using a MgTa₂O_6-xN_y/TaON heterostructure photocatalyst for H₂ evolution
Shanshan Chen, Yu Qi, Takashi Hisatomi, Qian Ding, Tomohiro Asai, Zheng Li, Su SuKhine Ma, Fuxiang Zhang*, KazunariDomen, Can Li*.
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2015, 54, 8498-8501.

10.Interface engineering of a CoO_x/Ta₃N₅ photocatalyst for unprecedented water oxidation performance under visible-light-irradiation
Shanshan Chen, Shuai Shen, Guiji Liu, Yu Qi, Fuxiang Zhang*, Can Li*.
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2015, 54, 3047-3051.