Adaptive Catalysis Group
Revealing and controlling dynamic catalyst evolution through atomically precise design and operando structural characterization.
We study how catalytic structures form, evolve, reconstruct, and deactivate under reaction conditions, and how these dynamic processes can be controlled to improve catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability. Our research combines atomically precise catalyst design with structural characterization across multiple length scales, with particular emphasis on multinuclear metal sites confined in porous materials.
Our central goal is to move beyond static structure–activity correlations and establish dynamic structure–function relationships that describe the working catalyst.
Research Themes
1. Dynamic Catalyst Evolution
We investigate reaction-induced restructuring of active sites, including changes in nuclearity, coordination environment, spatial distribution, and metal–support interactions. A major objective is to distinguish reversible structural adaptation from irreversible deactivation.
2. Atomically Precise Multinuclear Catalysts
We develop strategies to construct isolated and low-nuclearity metal ensembles within porous hosts. Precise control of metal nuclearity and local coordination provides model platforms for understanding cooperative catalytic functions.
3. Operando Structural Characterization
We integrate X-ray and neutron diffraction, total scattering and pair distribution function analysis, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy to follow catalyst structures under working conditions and connect structural evolution with catalytic performance.
Publication Highlights
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Trinuclear Metal Cluster Engineering
Chen, T.#, Li, Y.#, Ho, P.-L.#, et al. “Unraveling the Nuclearity Effect of Atomically Choreographed Triatom Cu3 Clusters Supported on Zeolites.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2025, 147(20), 17170–17180. [DOI] -
Cu–Co Dual-Atom Catalysts
Chen, T.#, Yu, W.#, Wun, C. K. T., et al. “Cu–Co Dual-Atom Catalysts Supported on Hierarchical USY Zeolites for an Efficient Cross-Dehydrogenative C(sp2)–N Coupling Reaction.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145(15), 8464–8473. [DOI] -
Chiral Recognition in Zeolites
Chen, T., Huang, B., Day, S., et al. “Differential Adsorption of L- and D-Lysine on Achiral MFI Zeolites.” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59(3), 1093–1097. [DOI] -
Atomically Precise Bimetallic Catalysts
Chen, T.#, Wang, Y.#, Xue, Q., et al. “Atomically Precise Bimetallic Metal Ensembles with Tailorable Synergistic Effects.” Cell Reports Phys. Sci. 2022, 3(4), 100850. [DOI]
Our Team
The Adaptive Catalysis Group brings together postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and research assistants working on catalyst synthesis, structural characterization, and reaction mechanisms.
Postdoctoral Research Fellows
Dr. Biyuan Liu · Dr. Lingfeng Jia · Dr. Xuezhen Feng
PhD Students
Mr. Binwen Zeng · Ms. Lei Xie
Research Assistants
Ms. Wan Zhang · Mr. Feixuan Li
Research Support
Current research support includes:
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Young Scientists Fund (Category C), PI, 2027–2030, RMB 300,000
- Presidential Global Impact Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme, Co-PI, 2027–2030, HKD 1,580,000
- PolyU Start-up Fund, PI, 2025–2026, HKD 300,000
News
Sep. 2026: Mr. Binwen Zeng joined the group as a PhD student, co-supervised with Prof. Tsz Woon Benedict Lo. 🎉
Sep. 2026: Ms. Lei Xie joined the group as a first-year PhD student, co-supervised with Prof. Ka-fu Joseph Yung. 🎉
Sep. 2026: Mr. Feixuan Li joined the group as a Research Assistant based at DYBRI. 🎉
Sep. 2026: Dr. Jiawei Zhao joined Northwestern Polytechnical University as a Professor. We thank him for his contributions to the group and wish him every success in his new position.
June 2026: Ms. Wan Zhang joined the group as a Research Assistant based at DYBRI. 🎉
May 2026: Dr. Xuezhen Feng joined the group as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. 🎉
Jan. 2026: Dr. Lingfeng Jia joined the group as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. 🎉
Dec. 2025: Tianxiang Chen joined the Department of Chemistry (CHEM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University as a Research Assistant Professor.
Join Us
We welcome researchers and students interested in dynamic catalysis, atomically precise active-site design, porous catalytic materials, and operando structural characterization.