Professor Shengfu Yang

I obtained a BSc in Applied Physics from Tsinghua University (1992), an MSc from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, CAS (1995), and a PhD from the University of Science and Technology of China (1997). I held postdoctoral appointments at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with Professors Jeffrey I. Steinfeld and Robert W. Field (1998–2000) and at the University of Helsinki with Professor Lauri Halonen (2000–2003) before joining Leicester in 2003. As one of the early pioneers of helium-droplet nanoscience, my research significantly contributes to this emerging field of nanoscience and broadens its scope. I held an EPSRC Advanced Research Fellowship (2006–2011) and was promoted to Reader in 2014.

I have led the NanoChemistry Group since 2015, headed the Diagnostics and Analytical Chemistry group since 2021, and founded the Leicester Advanced Nanoscience Research Centre (LARCN) network in 2022. My research has attracted over £3 million in external funding as Principal Investigator. I am a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and my teaching has been recognised through student-nominated awards, including receiving “The Most Beloved Teacher by Graduates” distinction at DLI in both 2022 and 2023.

My research focuses on nanomaterials and interfacial physical chemistry for durable, resource-efficient technologies. We develop polymer–nanoparticle hybrid coatings that prolong the service life of high-value infrastructure (e.g. wind-turbine protection; patented), and solution-phase routes to ideal single-crystal nanoparticles, nanowires and nanosheets that deliver orders-of-magnitude stronger photoluminescence and longer carrier lifetimes in perovskites (patented). Using helium-nanodroplet precision assembly, we create ultra-thin nanowires, core–shell particles and magnetic nanomaterials with tight control of structure and minimal synthetic waste. Ongoing projects investigate general mechanisms of battery dendrite formation and surface-anchored nanomaterials for safer, higher-capacity batteries, recyclable/reusable nano-catalysts, and high-performance polymeric materials.

Overall, my research portfolio sits at the interface of advanced materials, energy-related technologies and the circular use of critical and functional materials, particularly those underpinning low-carbon and other emerging technologies.

We study nanomaterials and interfacial physical chemistry to design materials that are robust, long-lived and resource-efficient, with particular attention to how critical and strategically important elements are deployed, stabilised and, where possible, recovered or reused across their life cycles. Our work spans wet-chemical synthesis, polymer–nanoparticle hybrids and precision nano-assembly using the UK’s only helium-nanodroplet platform, with collaborative projects on micro-/nano-plastics and their impacts on health.

These activities collectively support sustainable materials chemistry, long-lived infrastructures and more efficient energy and resource use, especially in systems that rely on critical and strategically important materials for Net Zero and beyond. Some of our undergoing research projects，all being pioneering and/or internationally leading, are highlighted below.

1. Polymer–nanoparticle hybrid materials for wind-turbine protection
   
   We developed a method that drives oxide nanoparticles (e.g. CeO₂) into the top few nanometres of commercial wind-turbine coatings (e.g. Belzona 5721), forming a dense, surface-anchored monolayer without chemical grafting (patented; GB2518558.8). The interface shows multiple enhanced functionalities compared with the polymer base, being catalytically accessible through Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ redox cycling, self-regenerative, self-cleaning, hydrophobic, and mechanically robust under agitation/sonication.
   
   The approach is compatible with existing blade-protection paints and, more broadly, with any softenable polymeric materials, providing a scalable route to performance-driven interfaces such as regenerative, erosion- and oxidation-resistant coatings, adaptive and smart materials (patented).
   
   Impact: Extends service life and reduces demand for replacement components in wind-energy systems by providing regenerative, erosion-/oxidation-resistant coatings, thereby lowering the consumption of high-value materials and enhancing surface functionality.
   
   
2. CsPbBr₃ nanoparticles and nanowires with ideal single-crystalline structures
   
   We have invented a wet-chemical route that produces nanoparticles, nanowires and nanosheets with ideal single-crystal structures (patented; GB2518947.3). As demonstrated using CsPbBr₃, the method eliminates grain boundaries and other defect-rich polycrystalline features common to conventional syntheses without annealing, delivering 100–10,000× stronger photoluminescence and longer carrier lifetimes.
   
   The approach is amenable to other nanomaterial systems and opens opportunities for electrically injected single-nanowire lasers, high-efficiency solar cells, nanophotonics and quantum devices.
   
   Impact: Enables higher device efficiency per gram and improved stability; fewer defects translate into lower material requirements and reduced waste in advanced optoelectronic and energy-related devices, supporting more sustainable use of critical elements in these technologies.
   
   
3. “Plum pudding on a sphere”: real-space Thomson crystals in helium nanodroplets
   
   Using superfluid helium nanodroplets as weakly screening, isotropic spherical hosts (~0.37 K), we image single-shell Coulomb order – the Thomson problem (since 1904) – in real space. Like-charged Au nanoparticles self-organise on a spherical shell and are soft-landed onto TEM grids, effectively “printing” their three-dimensional arrangements into two dimensions for analysis.
   
   Quaternion-based alignment maps each pattern to the corresponding Thomson minimum, yielding a per-N atlas that links Wigner/Thomson crystallisation with Smale’s 7th problem in mathematics and provides ground-truth data at the crossroads of Coulomb order, topology and optimisation.
   
   Impact: Provides fundamental insight into ordered nanoscale architectures, informing the design of future functional materials and interfaces that can deliver high performance with carefully controlled, and potentially reduced, use of scarce or critical components.
   
   
4. Quantum and nanoscale materials in helium nanodroplets
   
   Beyond specific case studies, we use superfluid helium nanodroplets as a precision assembly and spectroscopy platform for clusters, quantum vortices, Thomson crystals and other nanoscale structures.
   
   Impact: This work underpins rational design of advanced nanomaterials with controlled structure, magnetism and functionality, providing atomic- and molecular-level understanding for materials design, feeding into applications from magnetic nanomaterials to photonic devices, and enabling more efficient deployment of key materials in high-value technologies.
   
   
5. High-performance polymers, micro-/nano-plastics and energy interfaces
   
   Through collaborations, we contribute to:
   • High-performance benzoxazine-based polymeric materials and composites with improved durability and thermal/mechanical performance.
   • Nanostructured materials for photocatalysis, clean combustion and hydrogen evolution.
   • Studies of micro-/nano-plastics, their transformation and health-related impacts.
   • Interfacial phenomena in batteries, including general mechanisms of dendrite formation and mitigation strategies.
   
   Impact: Supports the development of longer-lived polymeric components and cleaner energy-conversion technologies, while providing mechanistic insight into plastic degradation, pollutant exposure and battery failure modes. These collaboration-based research advances enable more durable infrastructure, reduced environmental and health burdens from micro-/nano-plastics, and more reliable, resource-efficient electrochemical energy systems that make better use of critical and strategically important elements.

Research Grants

• Austrian Science Fund, FWF (PAT 8581624) (€655k, 2025-2029, Co-I)
• Leverhulme Trust research project grant (RPG-2024-116) (£233k, 2024-2027, PI)
• Beamline I06-1, Diamond Light Source (MM33064-1) (12 shifts, 2023, PI)
• Leverhulme Trust research project grant (RPG-2022-107) (£210k, 2022-2024, Co-I)
• Combustion Research and Innovation Network for Technology Fund (£10k, 2022, PI)
• Knowledge Exchange, Impact & Proof of Concept Fund (£15k, 2022, PI)
• EPSRC research grant (EP/V027255/1) (£438k, 2021-2025, PI)
• Leverhulme Trust research project grant (RPG-2020-152) (£132k, 2021-2023, PI)
• Leverhulme Trust research project grant (RPG-2019-044) (£129k, 2019-2021, Co-I)
• Proof of Concept fund, University of Leicester (£24k, 2019, PI)
• Leverhulme Trust research project grant (RPG-2016-272) (£137k, 2017-2019, PI)
• Leverhulme Trust research project grant (RPG-2016-308) (£126k, 2017-2019, Co-I)
• Proof-of-concept fund, University of Leicester (£15k, 2015-2016, PI)
• Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund (ACSS 15/002) (£2k, 2015, PI)
• Beamline I06-1, Diamond Light Source (SI11489-1) (9 shifts, 2015, PI)
• Leverhulme Trust research project grant (RPG-2012-740) (£122k, 2013-2015, Co-I)
• Leverhulme Trust research project grant (RPG-2012-552) (£133k, 2012-2014, PI)
• EPSRC research grant (EP/J021342/1)(£412k, 2012-2015, PI)
• University Innovation Fellowship (£15k, 2012-2013, PI)
• Research Equipment and Infrastructure Fund (£130k, 2012-2013, PI)
• HEIF fund on photocatalysis (£15k, 2011, PI)
• Innovation Fellowship, EU regional funding agent, East Midland (£15k, 2010- 2011, PI)
• The Royal Society International Travel Grant (TG092097) (£5k, 2010, PI)
• EPSRC research grant(EP/I009213/1)(£813k, 2010-2014, PI)
• The Royal Society Research Grant (RG080386) (£15k, 2009-2010, PI)
• EPSRC Advanced Research Fellowship (EP/D071402/1) (£420k, 2006-2011, PI)

My early publications established superfluid helium nanodroplets as an enabling platform for precision nano-assembly built on controlled aggregation, atom by atom, in a very cold and unperturbed environment. For very small clusters, we studied the fundamental behaviors by using mass spectrometry and spectroscopy; while for sizeable aggregates, we demonstrated the direct growth of ultra-thin nanowires templated by quantised vortices, reported core–shell nanoparticles, and observed robust ferromagnetism in chromium nanoparticles. Our new advances in quantum fluids showcased the Thompson crystals in real space for the first time –  a century-old scientific problem. Our reviews have helped chart the field.

More recent wet-chemical work invents new protocols and demonstrates nanoparticle–polymer hybrid coatings for wind-turbine protection and a solution-phase route to ideal single-crystal perovskite nanoparticles and nanowires with 100–10,000× stronger photoluminescence and longer carrier lifetimes. Taken together, these advances contribute to materials systems that are more durable and resource-efficient: extending wind-turbine service lifetimes, improving performance per gram, reducing waste in synthesis, and opening up routes to recyclable and reusable nano-catalysts.

Patents

• Shengfu Yang, “Wet-chemical synthesis apparatus” (GB2518947.3; 2025) - Inventor
• Shengfu Yang, " Surface processing method and processed substrate" (GB2518558.8; 2025) - Inventor
• Shengfu Yang, “Magnetic Materials” (GB1816154.8; 2016) - Inventor
• Shengfu Yang, “Optical Confinement of Particles” (P49824GB; 2012) - Inventor

Selected Publications

1. Tianrun Qin, Yin Lu, Lai Vo, Jason Terreblanche, Kan Zhang, Andrew M. Ellis, Karl Ryder, and Shengfu Yang*, “Self-limiting thermal embedding creates regenerative nanoparticle–polymer interfaces", Science (submitted).
2. Thomas Pohl, Hanqing Liu, Jan Mayerhofer, Arin Mizouri, Hao Sha, Feng Wang, Yu-lung Chiu, Andrew M. Ellis, Paul Scheier* and Shengfu Yang*, “Plum pudding on a sphere: real-space Thomson crystals in helium nanodroplets”, Nature (submitted).
3. Hao Sha, Qingyu Wang, Robert Taylor and Shengfu Yang, “Perovskite nanowires with ideal single crystalline structures”, Nature (Manuscript in preparation).
4. Martin Mugglestone, Daniel W. Polak, Julia A. Davies, Shengfu Yang, Andrew M. Ellis, Infrared spectra of propargyl alcohol dimers in helium nanodroplets, J. Chem. Phys. 163, 044302 (2025).
5. Tintu Kuriakose, Hao Sha, Qingyu Wang, Gokhan Topcu, Xavier Romain, Shengfu Yang* and Robert A. Taylor*, Plasmon-Enhanced Photo-Luminescence Emission in Hybrid Metal–Perovskite Nanowires. Nanomaterials 15(8), 608 (2025).
6. Raúl López-Martín, Chris Binns, Benito Santos Burgos, Peter S. Normile, José A. De Toro, Andrew Pratt, Toby Bird, Maha Alotaibi, Jack Pearce, David Hesp, Connor Fields, Shengfu Yang, Hanqing Liu, Larissa S.I. Veiga, and Sarnjeet S. Dhesi, Nanostructured FeCo films of exceptionally high saturation magnetisation. J. Alloys Compd. 1002, 175223 (2024).
7. Gokhan Topcu, Aula M. A. Al Hindawi, Cheng Feng, Daniel Spence, Berlian Sitorus, Hanqing Liu, Andrew M. Ellis and Shengfu Yang, Precision engineering of nano-assemblies in superfluid helium by the use of van der Waals Forces. Commun. Chem. 7, 125 (2024).
8. Rui Yang, Richie Yang, Shengfu Yang, and Kan Zhang*, Hydrogen Bonding-Rich Bio-Benzoxazine Resin Provides High-Performance Thermosets and Ultrahigh-Performance Composites. ACS Sus. Chem. Eng. 12, 1728-1739 (2024).
9. Qiuyue Xu, Xianhua Qiu, Weibo Zhang,  Huitao Zheng,  Shuai Wang, Shengfu Yang, Pinghua Chen, Hualin Jiang, Ni(OH)₂ decorated g-C₃N₄ tubes for precious metal free photocatalytic H₂ evolution and the investigation of charge storage mechanism of Ni(OH)₂, Diam. Relat. Mater. 140, 110524 (2023).
10. Rui Yang, Nan Li, Corey J. Evans, Shengfu Yang*, and Kan Zhang*, Phosphaphenanthrene-Functionalized Benzoxazines Bearing Intramolecularly Hydrogen-Bonded Phenolic Hydroxyl: Synthesis, Structural Characterization, Polymerization Mechanism, and Property Investigation. Macromolecules 56, 4, 1311–1323 (2023).

I supervise research across nanoscience, computational chemistry, electrochemistry, environmental science, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, combustion and quantum hydrodynamics, often in collaboration with colleagues in Biology and Engineering.

• Current students: 5 PhD and 1 MPhil (first supervisor).
• Completions: 10 PhD students supervised to completion.
• Postdoctoral researchers: 11 PDRAs mentored.

I welcome enquiries from prospective PhD and postdoctoral applicants who are excited by helium-nanodroplet science, wet-chemical nanomaterials, perovskites and their applications, and polymer–nanoparticle hybrid materials – particularly where sustainable and circular uses of advanced materials are in focus. Informal enquiries are encouraged.

I teach across physical chemistry and nanoscience with a strong emphasis on research-led, problem-based learning. I hold a PGCert in Academic Practice (2009) and am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Modules at Leicester:

• CH2203 Physical Chemistry – Module Convenor (2018 – ).
• CH3261/2 BSc Projects – Supervisor (2011  – )
• CH4271/2 MChem/MSc Projects – Supervisor (2011  – )
• CH1206 Analytical Chemistry (2021–2024).
• CH4207 Computational Chemistry (2011–2024).
• CH4209 Nanotechnology (2014–2019).
• CH2007 Physical Chemistry of Colloids – Module Convenor (2016–2017).

DUT-Leicester Institute (DLI flying faculty):

• CH2203 Physical Chemistry – Module Convenor (2019 – ).
• CH1203 Thermodynamics & Kinetics (2019 – ).
• CH0280/CH1282 Advanced Mathematics I & II (DLI) – Module Lead (2018–2024 ).

I supervise final-year research projects and integrate current group results into lectures and assessments to develop students’ skills in data analysis, computation and experimental design.

My research had been interviewed/reported by British Satellite News, Times Higher Education, and BBC OneShow. Areas of publicity include plastics and health; nanoscience and nanotechnologies; healthcare technology; combustion; battery technology; electron microscopy.

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) (2025)
• Visiting Professor, University of Innsbruck (2024)
• The most beloved teacher by graduates 2023, DUT-Leicester Institute (2023)
• The most beloved teacher by graduates 2022, DUT-Leicester Institute (2022)
• Citizen Recognition Scheme, University of Leicester (2022)
• Elected Member, Sigma Xi – The Scientific Research Honour Society (2022)
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) (2017–)
• King-Shan Distinguished Professorship, Jiangsu University (2017– )
• Nanoscience Award, Cognizure, 2015
• Visiting Professor, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (2015)
• Visiting Professor, Huazhong University of Science & Technology (2014)
• Merit Award, University of Leicester (2012)
• EPSRC Advanced Research Fellowship (2006–2011)

I organise and contribute to national and international meetings across advanced materials, nanoscience and quantum fluids. Recently, I organised the series of LARCN Research Away Day events (2022 – 2024), and hosted the RSC Spectroscopy & Dynamics Group Annual Conference at Leicester (2024, 2025), chaired sessions, and delivered keynotes/invited talks in Austria and China.

Conference organisation

• RSC Spectroscopy & Dynamics Group Annual Conference, University of Leicester – Organiser/Host (2025)
• RSC Spectroscopy & Dynamics Group Annual Conference, University of Leicester – Organiser/Host (2024)
• LARCN Research Away Days – Lead Organiser (08/12/2022; 08/06/2023; 08/12/2023; 06/06/2024)

Keynotes & invited talks (2024–2026)

• “Nanoparticle-polymer hybrids for wind turbine protection” – Keynote, Quantum Fluid Clusters (QFC 2026), Obergurgl, Austria, 31 May – 4 June 2026
• “Ideal single-crystal CsPbBr₃ nanowires with ultra-bright photoluminescence” – Keynote, Bond-Selective Chemistry, Huangshan, China, 18–20 April 2024
• “Novel Nanomaterials formed in superfluid helium droplets” – Invited, Innsbruck, Austria, 18 September 2024
• “Novel Nanoscience in superfluid helium” – Keynote, ICN 2024, Xiamen, China, 19–21 April 2024

With broad interests spanning chemistry, physics, engineering and biology, my multidisciplinary expertise underpins cross-disciplinary research that bridges fields and enables step-change advances in both fundamental science and sustainable innovation.

• Precision nano-assembly – ultrathin nanowires; core–shell nanoparticles; spectroscopy/mass spectrometry of clusters
• Wet-chemical nanoscience – solution-phase routes to ideal single-crystal nanoparticles, nanowires and nanosheets; defect control & photophysics
• Polymer–nanoparticle hybrid interfaces – catalysis at hybrid interfaces; erosion/oxidation-resistant functional coatings (e.g. wind energy); adaptive, regenerative and smart materials
• Magnetic nanomaterials – synthesis and applications of high-moment nanoparticles for MRI and hyperthermia; spin-dependent magnetism at the nanoscale
• Computational materials design – DFT for clusters, interfaces and nanostructures
• Micro- and nano-plastics & health – exposure, transformation and biological impacts
• Combustion chemistry – free-radical detection; highly efficient, low-emission technologies
• Battery technology – generalised mechanisms of dendrite formation at interfaces and mitigation technologies
• Superfluid helium nanodroplets & quantum fluids – quantised vortices; single-shell Coulomb ordering (Thomson problem) on spheres
• High-temperature superconductors – materials/structures, mechanisms and fabrication

• PhD, Physical Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, 1997
• MSc, Physical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (CAS), 1995
• BSc, Applied Physics, Tsinghua University, 1992
• PGCert in Higher Education, University of Leicester, 2009

Professional recognition & memberships

• Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• Elected Member, Sigma Xi – The Scientific Research Honor Society