University of Barcelona | Spain
Dr. Wenkai Huang is a dynamic early-career researcher in materials science and environmental chemistry, specializing in the design, synthesis, and application of advanced nanomaterials for sustainable energy and environmental remediation. His research focuses on carbon nanomaterials, transition-metal nanoparticles, and single-atom catalysts, with applications spanning hydrogen energy, catalytic conversion, and wastewater treatment. Wenkai has made significant contributions to the development of high-performance catalysts for controlled hydrogen generation, including innovative “on-off” switch catalytic systems for hydrazine, formic acid, ammonia borane, and related hydrogen-storage materials. His work has been published in leading journals such as International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Fuel, ACS Applied Nano Materials, Carbon Energy, and Green Chemical Engineering, demonstrating both scientific rigor and originality. He has also advanced environmental catalysis through the synthesis of Co₃O₄ nanocubes and lignin-derived carbon materials for the degradation of emerging contaminants in wastewater, contributing to more efficient pollutant removal technologies. In addition to his journal publications, Wenkai is co-inventor on patents related to graphene quantum dots and porous carbon nanospheres, reflecting his strength in translating research into practical innovations. His academic journey from top-performing undergraduate at Lanzhou University of Technology, to postgraduate excellence at China Three Gorges University, to his current research at the University of Barcelona demonstrates consistent achievement supported by multiple competitive scholarships, including the China Scholarship Council award. Combined with earlier engineering experience in advanced aluminum materials, Wenkai brings strong interdisciplinary expertise to the advancement of clean energy catalysis and environmental nanotechnology.
Featured Publications
Huang, W., Llopart-Roca, P., Nieto-Sandoval, J., Bayarri, B., & Sans, C. (2025). Enhanced peroxymonosulfate activation by oxalic acid–activated lignin-derived carbon to degrade sulfamethoxazole: Performance and mechanism. Green Chemical Engineering.
Xu, F., Wang, Y., Wang, C., Huang, W., & Liu, X. (2023). Dehydrogenation of hydrous hydrazine over carbon nanosphere-supported PtNi nanoparticles for on-demand H₂ release. Fuel, 332, 126116.
Huang, W., Xu, F., Li, D., Astruc, D., & Liu, X. (2023). “On–off” switch for H₂ and O₂ generation from HCOOH and H₂O₂. Carbon Energy, 5(3), e269.
Huang, W., Xu, F., Tian, S., Wang, C., & Liu, X. (2022). Bimetallic PtNi nanoclusters supported on carbon nanospheres as catalysts for H₂ production from dimethylamineborane hydrolysis. ACS Applied Nano Materials.
Huang, W., Jin, X., Li, Q., et al. (2023). Co₃O₄ nanocubes for degradation of oxytetracycline in wastewater via peroxymonosulfate activation. ACS Applied Nano Materials, 6(13), 12497–12506.