Professor at Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, China
Dr. Ligang Xu is an accomplished associate professor at the Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications (NJUPT), with a research focus on perovskite solar cells and multifunctional materials. With over a decade of academic and research experience, he has emerged as a key contributor to the advancement of high-efficiency and stable perovskite photovoltaics. Dr. Xu earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he studied multifunctional surfaces under Prof. Junhui He. His undergraduate degree in Applied Chemistry from the University of Science and Technology Beijing laid the foundation for his later interdisciplinary research. Throughout his career, he has led and collaborated on national-level projects supported by prestigious foundations, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China. His work has been published in internationally renowned journals such as Angewandte Chemie, Advanced Materials, Small, and Energy & Environmental Science. He has been honored with numerous awards for academic excellence and innovation, including the Initiative Postdocs Talents Supporting Program and Jiangsu’s first prize in scientific research. With a growing international reputation, Dr. Xu actively contributes to academic discourse through invited talks, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed publications that emphasize innovation, stability, and sustainability in energy materials.
Professional Profiles
Education
Dr. Ligang Xu’s academic foundation is rooted in chemistry and materials science, areas in which he has developed substantial expertise over the years. He began his academic journey at the University of Science and Technology Beijing, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Applied Chemistry in 2009. During his undergraduate studies, he developed a strong interest in materials synthesis and characterization, particularly for energy-related applications. Motivated to pursue advanced research, Dr. Xu continued to the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he completed his Ph.D. in 2014 under the supervision of Prof. Junhui He. His doctoral research focused on the development of multifunctional surfaces, exploring their chemical and physical properties in the context of advanced material applications. This experience gave him a strong grounding in surface science, nanotechnology, and functional coatings, which later informed his transition into the field of perovskite solar cells. The rigorous academic environment and research training during his Ph.D. provided him with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in materials engineering. His education has served as a strong launching pad for a career marked by innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency in advanced material systems.
Professional Experience
Dr. Ligang Xu has accumulated extensive professional experience through his ongoing commitment to both academic research and applied science. Since January 2015, he has served as an associate professor at the Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM) at Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications (NJUPT), where he contributes to cutting-edge research in photovoltaic technology and materials innovation. In this role, he has been instrumental in guiding graduate research, securing national research funding, and publishing influential scientific papers. From 2016 to 2018, Dr. Xu further deepened his research credentials through postdoctoral training at NJUPT, working under the supervision of Prof. Wei Huang. His postdoctoral work focused on perovskite solar cells, with particular emphasis on improving their efficiency and stability through interface engineering and dynamic modulation. These years were formative in refining his technical acumen and reinforcing his leadership in photovoltaic research. He has since led multiple national-level projects and collaborated with other prominent scientists on topics ranging from lead-free perovskites to soft perovskite-substrate interfaces. His professional journey reflects a blend of academic rigor, project leadership, and sustained contributions to renewable energy technologies, establishing him as a respected figure in China’s materials science community.
Research Interest
Dr. Ligang Xu’s primary research interests lie at the intersection of materials chemistry and renewable energy, with a specific focus on the design and optimization of perovskite solar cells. His work emphasizes improving both the efficiency and long-term stability of these devices through novel strategies such as interface modulation, in situ crystallization control, and compositional engineering. He is particularly fascinated by how dynamic resonance phenomena and surface/interface chemistry influence photovoltaic performance. Dr. Xu also explores the development of lead-free and environmentally friendly perovskite alternatives, aiming to advance the sustainability of next-generation solar technologies. His recent research projects have investigated the role of ionic liquids, antireflective conductive thin films, and gradient heterojunctions in enhancing the optical and electronic properties of perovskites. In addition to photovoltaics, he has a broader interest in functional surfaces and nanostructured materials for energy conversion applications. These interests stem from his multidisciplinary training in applied chemistry and surface engineering, and they continue to evolve through collaboration with leading researchers in materials science. Dr. Xu’s goal is to bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical application, contributing not only to academic knowledge but also to real-world energy solutions through scalable and cost-effective solar cell technologies.
Research Skills
Dr. Ligang Xu possesses a comprehensive and advanced skill set in the synthesis, characterization, and engineering of materials for energy applications, particularly in the domain of perovskite solar cells. His expertise includes solution-based fabrication techniques such as spin-coating, vapor deposition, and in situ crystallization, enabling precise control over film morphology and device architecture. He has significant experience in interface engineering, compositional tuning, and surface modification, which are critical to improving the performance and longevity of perovskite devices. Dr. Xu is adept in using analytical techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and photoluminescence to characterize material properties and device behavior. In addition, he is proficient in evaluating photovoltaic performance through current-voltage (J-V) measurements, external quantum efficiency (EQE), and impedance spectroscopy. His ability to integrate experimental design with theoretical modeling has enhanced his capacity to identify key mechanisms in materials behavior and device operation. These skills have enabled him to lead complex, multidisciplinary projects funded by prestigious institutions. Beyond the lab, Dr. Xu contributes to scholarly communication through scientific writing, peer review, and conference presentations, demonstrating both technical expertise and a commitment to academic leadership in the renewable energy materials community.
Awards and Honors
Throughout his academic and professional journey, Dr. Ligang Xu has been recognized with numerous awards and honors that reflect his dedication to excellence in research and innovation. In 2014, he received the National Scholarship for Doctoral Students, highlighting his outstanding performance during his Ph.D. studies at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. His contributions during postdoctoral research were acknowledged in 2016 when he was selected for the highly competitive Initiative Postdocs Talents Supporting Program, a prestigious national program designed to support promising young researchers in China. In 2020, Dr. Xu was awarded the Jiangsu Provincial Government Scholarship for Study Abroad, which recognizes high-achieving scientists for international collaboration and global academic engagement. That same year, he was honored with the First Outstanding Achievement Award from the Initiative Postdocs Talents Supporting Program, further solidifying his status as a leading figure in photovoltaic research. In 2021, he received the First Prize for Scientific and Technological Research Achievement from Jiangsu Province, one of the highest regional accolades for scientific innovation. These awards underscore not only his technical achievements but also his consistent leadership, creativity, and impact on the field of renewable energy and materials science.
Conclusion
Dr. Ligang Xu represents a new generation of innovative researchers driving the future of sustainable energy through advanced materials science. With a strong academic foundation, dynamic research portfolio, and a string of high-impact publications, he has demonstrated a clear trajectory toward leadership in the field of perovskite photovoltaics. His interdisciplinary expertise in chemistry, surface science, and device engineering enables him to approach complex energy challenges with creativity and scientific rigor. Whether advancing lead-free solar technologies or optimizing interface dynamics for improved device stability, Dr. Xu continues to break new ground in materials research. His contributions are not only evident in laboratory results and academic citations but also in the real-world potential of the technologies he helps develop. Recognized nationally with competitive grants and prestigious awards, and internationally through peer-reviewed journals and invited presentations, he remains committed to excellence, collaboration, and innovation. As global demand for clean and efficient energy solutions intensifies, Dr. Xu’s work stands at the forefront of transforming cutting-edge research into practical applications. His future endeavors promise to further elevate the role of perovskite materials in achieving global sustainability goals and advancing the scientific frontier of renewable energy technologies.
Publications Top Notes
1. Title: Graphene wrapped porous polyaniline/manganese oxide nanocomposites with enhanced structural stability and conductivity for high-performance symmetric supercapacitor
Authors: Zheng, Chunpeng; Zhu, Yang; Li, Cheng; Xu, Ligang; Huang, Juan
Journal: Polymer Composites
Year: 2025
2. Title: Rational Engineering of Phase-Pure 2D Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Guo, Ke; Lv, Wenzhen; Wang, He; Xing, Guichuan Chuan; Wu, Guangbao
3. Title: Preparation and properties of color-changing hydrogel with dual-stimulation response to temperature and pH
Authors: Zheng, Jia; Liu, Yiming; Xu, Ligang; Yao, Lin
Journal: Huagong Jinzhan / Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress
Year: 2024
Citations: 1
4. Title: Enhancing lead-free photovoltaic performance: Minimizing buried surface voids in tin perovskite films through weakly polar solvent pre-treatment strategy
Authors: Yan, Dongdong; Zhang, Han; Gong, Chensi; Chen, Runfeng; Xu, Ligang
Journal: Journal of Energy Chemistry
Year: 2024
Citations: 1