Personal statement

Dr. Tan Lling-Lling (Carynn) received her BEng (Hons.) and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Monash University in 2012 and 2015, respectively. She then worked as an assistant professor in the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Heriot-Watt University. Currently, she is a senior lecturer in the School of Engineering (Chemical) at Monash University.

Dr. Tan’s research focuses on the rational design and development of advanced photocatalytic materials for environmental remediation and energy generation. Examples of these applications include CO₂ photoreduction into solar fuels, water splitting, pollutant/dye degradation and N₂ fixation. Apart from materials design, her research also aims to elucidate the fundamental aspects underlying high efficiency for solar energy utilization, with the ultimate goal of realizing the commercialization of sunlight-driven photocatalysis. To date, Dr. Tan has published close to 30 scientific papers in high impact journals such as Applied Catalysis B: Environmental and Chemical Reviews. She currently holds an h-index of 21 with over 4500 citations. From 2015 – 2017, she was part of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) Working Group on Emerging Science, Engineering and Technology (ESET) to develop an integrated Foresight report for the area of Nanotechnology. In 2017, she received the Young Researcher Award from IChemE Malaysia, in recognition of her work in the field of photocatalysis.

Academic degrees

• Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering, Monash University, 2015
• Degree in Chemical Engineering (Hons), Monash University, 2012

Professional affiliations

Member of National Professional Bodies

• Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), Graduate Member

Member of International Professional Bodies

• Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), Associate Member

Research Interests

With the growing awareness of environmental protection, researchers are driven to search for sustainable alternative sources of energy, particularly solar energy, to replace exhaustible fossil fuels. In recent years, heterogeneous photocatalysis has garnered tremendous research interest due to its powerful potential applications in tackling many important energy and environmental challenges at a global level. This state-of-the-art technology can not only be used in reactions involving small molecules such as CO2 (reduction to solar fuels) and H2O (water splitting), but also in the synthesis of valuable fine chemicals. With the end goal of industrializing photocatalytic systems, my research focuses on the smart engineering and rational design of advanced nanomaterials with tunable structural, electronic and optical properties. The research also targets at elucidating the fundamentals mechanisms underlying high efficiency for the utilisation of solar energy. Apart from these, I am currently interested in exploring the development of novel photo(electro)catalytic systems for solar-driven nitrogen fixation.

Research Projects

Title: Developing highly robust advanced nanomaterials for photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic applications

Despite advancements made in the field of photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis, the vast majority of the materials developed to date still suffers from limited light harvesting abilities and rapid charge recombination, which hinder their commercial applications. Therefore, the research focuses primarily on the rational design of novel and industrially relevant photo(electro)catalytic materials. Developments include the smart engineering of zero-dimensional (0D) carbon quantum dots (CQDs) on ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials (e.g. graphene, and graphitic carbon nitride) to form a highly robust hybrid photocatalyst for solar fuel generation. By exploiting the respective advantages of 0D CQDs and 2D nanomaterials, the hybridization of both components to form 0D/2D heterojunctions is anticipated to be extremely conducive for light harvesting and charge transport, which will collectively contribute to high product selectivity and conversion rates. The ultimate goal of this project is to bring about technological advances in renewable energy to alleviate the increasingly tense energy and environmental crisis.

Figure: (A) Development of a 0D-CQD/2D-nanomaterial composite system for CO2 reduction; (B) Envisioned integration of photocatalytic systems into existing plants.

Journal

Chee, Michell K.T.; Er, Chen Chen; Tang, Jie Yinn; Tan, Lling Lling; Chang, Wei Sea; Chai, Siang Piao; , 2020, Tuning the electronic band structure of graphitic carbon nitride by breaking intramolecular bonds: A simple and effective approach for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production, Applied Surface Science, Volume: 529, Issue Number: 01694332, 10.1016/j.apsusc.2020.146600,

Phang, Sue Jiun; Wong, Voon Loong; Tan, Lling Lling; Chai, Siang Piao; , 2020, Recent advances in homojunction-based photocatalysis for sustainable environmental remediation and clean energy generation, Applied Materials Today, Volume: 20, 10.1016/j.apmt.2020.100741,

Fung, Cheng May; Tang, Jie Yinn; Tan, Lling Lling; Mohamed, Abdul Rahman; Chai, Siang Piao; , 2020, Recent progress in two-dimensional nanomaterials for photocatalytic carbon dioxide transformation into solar fuels, Materials Today Sustainability, Volume: 9, 10.1016/j.mtsust.2020.100037,

Chew, Yi Hao; Ng, Boon Junn; Kong, Xin Ying; Putri, Lutfi Kurnianditia; Tang, Jie Yinn; Tan, Lling Lling; Chai, Siang Piao; , 2020, Interfacial engineering of a zinc blende/wurtzite homojunction photocatalyst through hybridization with a cobalt phosphide co-catalyst for enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic H<inf>2</inf> evolution, Sustainable Energy and Fuels, (1822-1827), Volume: 4, 10.1039/c9se00800d,

Seng, Ru Xuan; Tan, Lling Lling; Lee, W. P.Cathie; Ong, Wee Jun; Chai, Siang Piao (2020) Nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots-decorated 2D graphitic carbon nitride as a promising photocatalyst for environmental remediation: A study on the importance of hybridization approach, Journal of Environmental Management, Volume: 255, Issue Number: 03014797, 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109936

Phang, Sue Jiun; Tan, Lling Lling (2019) Recent advances in carbon quantum dot (CQD)-based two dimensional materials for photocatalytic applications, Catalysis Science and Technology, (5882-5905), Volume: 9, Issue Number: 20444753, 10.1039/c9cy01452g

Chew, Yi Hao; Tang, Jie Yinn; Tan, Li Jie; Choi, Bryan Wei Jian; Tan, Lling Lling; Chai, Siang Piao (2019) Engineering surface oxygen defects on tungsten oxide to boost photocatalytic oxygen evolution from water splitting, Chemical Communications, (6265-6268), Volume: 55, Issue Number: 13597345, 10.1039/c9cc01449g

Lee, W. P.Cathie; Kong, Xin Ying; Tan, Lling Lling; Gui, Meei Mei; Sumathi, S.; Chai, Siang Piao (2018) Molybdenum disulfide quantum dots decorated bismuth sulfide as a superior noble-metal-free photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution through harnessing a broad solar spectrum, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, (117-123), Volume: 232, Issue Number: 09263373, 10.1016/j.apcatb.2018.03.019

Lee, W. P.Cathie; Tan, Lling Lling; Sumathi, S.; Chai, Siang Piao (2018) Copper-doped flower-like molybdenum disulfide/bismuth sulfide photocatalysts for enhanced solar water splitting, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, (748-756), Volume: 43, Issue Number: 03603199, 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.10.169

Lee, W. P.Cathie; Wong, Fhu Hin; Attenborough, Nicole K.; Kong, Xin Ying; Tan, Lling Lling; Sumathi, S.; Chai, Siang Piao (2017) Two-dimensional bismuth oxybromide coupled with molybdenum disulphide for enhanced dye degradation using low power energy-saving light bulb, Journal of Environmental Management, (63-69), Volume: 197, Issue Number: 03014797, 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.03.027

Ong, Wee Jun; Putri, Lutfi Kurnianditia; Tan, Yoong Chuen; Tan, Lling Lling; Li, Neng; Ng, Yun Hau; Wen, Xiaoming; Chai, Siang Piao (2017) Unravelling charge carrier dynamics in protonated g-C<inf>3</inf>N<inf>4</inf> interfaced with carbon nanodots as co-catalysts toward enhanced photocatalytic CO<inf>2</inf> reduction: A combined experimental and first-principles DFT study, Nano Research, (1673-1696), Volume: 10, Issue Number: 19980124, 10.1007/s12274-016-1391-4

Tan, Lling Lling; Ong, Wee Jun; Chai, Siang Piao; Mohamed, Abdul Rahman (2017) Photocatalytic reduction of CO<inf>2</inf> with H<inf>2</inf>O over graphene oxide-supported oxygen-rich TiO<inf>2</inf> hybrid photocatalyst under visible light irradiation: Process and kinetic studies, Chemical Engineering Journal, (248-255), Volume: 308, Issue Number: 13858947, 10.1016/j.cej.2016.09.050

Ng, Boon Junn; Putri, Lutfi Kurnianditia; Tan, Lling Lling; Pasbakhsh, Pooria; Chai, Siang Piao (2017) All-solid-state Z-scheme photocatalyst with carbon nanotubes as an electron mediator for hydrogen evolution under simulated solar light, Chemical Engineering Journal, (41-49), Volume: 316, Issue Number: 13858947, 10.1016/j.cej.2017.01.054

Lee, W. P.Cathie; Gui, Meei Mei; Tan, Lling Lling; Wu, Ta Yeong; Sumathi, S.; Chai, Siang Piao (2017) Bismuth sulphide-modified molybdenum disulphide as an efficient photocatalyst for hydrogen production under simulated solar light, Catalysis Communications, (66-70), Volume: 98, Issue Number: 15667367, 10.1016/j.catcom.2017.05.004

Putri, Lutfi Kurnianditia; Tan, Lling Lling; Ong, Wee Jun; Chang, Wei Sea; Chai, Siang Piao (2016) Graphene oxide: Exploiting its unique properties toward visible-light-driven photocatalysis, Applied Materials Today, (9-16), Volume: 4, 10.1016/j.apmt.2016.04.001

Ong, Wee Jun; Tan, Lling Lling; Ng, Yun Hau; Yong, Siek Ting; Chai, Siang Piao (2016) Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C<inf>3</inf>N<inf>4</inf>)-Based Photocatalysts for Artificial Photosynthesis and Environmental Remediation: Are We a Step Closer to Achieving Sustainability?, Chemical Reviews, (7159-7329), Volume: 116, Issue Number: 00092665, 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00075

Tan, Lling Lling; Ong, Wee Jun; Chai, Siang Piao; Mohamed, Abdul Rahman (2016) Visible-light-activated oxygen-rich TiO<inf>2</inf> as next generation photocatalyst: Importance of annealing temperature on the photoactivity toward reduction of carbon dioxide, Chemical Engineering Journal, (1254-1263), Volume: 283, Issue Number: 13858947, 10.1016/j.cej.2015.07.093

Ong, Wee Jun; Putri, Lutfi Kurnianditia; Tan, Lling Lling; Chai, Siang Piao; Yong, Siek Ting (2016) Heterostructured AgX/g-C<inf>3</inf>N<inf>4</inf> (X=Cl and Br) nanocomposites via a sonication-assisted deposition-precipitation approach: Emerging role of halide ions in the synergistic photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, (530-543), Volume: 180, Issue Number: 09263373, 10.1016/j.apcatb.2015.06.053

Tan, Lling Lling; Ong, Wee Jun; Chai, Siang Piao; Goh, Boon Tong; Mohamed, Abdul Rahman (2015) Visible-light-active oxygen-rich TiO<inf>2</inf> decorated 2D graphene oxide with enhanced photocatalytic activity toward carbon dioxide reduction, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, (160-170), Volume: 179, Issue Number: 09263373, 10.1016/j.apcatb.2015.05.024

Tan, Lling Lling; Ong, Wee Jun; Chai, Siang Piao; Mohamed, Abdul Rahman (2015) Noble metal modified reduced graphene oxide/TiO<inf>2</inf> ternary nanostructures for efficient visible-light-driven photoreduction of carbon dioxide into methane, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, (251-259), Volume: 166-167, Issue Number: 09263373, 10.1016/j.apcatb.2014.11.035

Ong, Wee Jun; Tan, Lling Lling; Chai, Siang Piao; Yong, Siek Ting; Mohamed, Abdul Rahman (2015) Surface charge modification via protonation of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C<inf>3</inf>N<inf>4</inf>) for electrostatic self-assembly construction of 2D/2D reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/g-C<inf>3</inf>N<inf>4</inf> nanostructures toward enhanced photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to methane, Nano Energy, (757-770), Volume: 13, Issue Number: 22112855, 10.1016/j.nanoen.2015.03.014

Ong, Wee Jun; Tan, Lling Lling; Chai, Siang Piao; Yong, Siek Ting (2015) Graphene oxide as a structure-directing agent for the two-dimensional interface engineering of sandwich-like graphene-g-C<inf>3</inf>N<inf>4</inf> hybrid nanostructures with enhanced visible-light photoreduction of CO<inf>2</inf> to methane, Chemical Communications, (858-861), Volume: 51, Issue Number: 13597345, 10.1039/c4cc08996k

Ong, Wee Jun; Tan, Lling Lling; Chai, Siang Piao; Yong, Siek Ting (2014) Heterojunction engineering of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C<inf>3</inf>N<inf>4</inf>) via Pt loading with improved daylight-induced photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to methane, Dalton Transactions, (1249-1257), Volume: 44, Issue Number: 14779226, 10.1039/c4dt02940b

Ong, Wee Jun; Tan, Lling Lling; Chai, Siang Piao; Yong, Siek Ting; Mohamed, Abdul Rahman (2014) Self-assembly of nitrogen-doped TiO<inf>2</inf> with exposed {001} facets on a graphene scaffold as photo-active hybrid nanostructures for reduction of carbon dioxide to methane, Nano Research, (1528-1547), Volume: 7, Issue Number: 19980124, 10.1007/s12274-014-0514-z

Tan, Lling Lling; Ong, Wee Jun; Chai, Siang Piao; Mohamed, Abdul Rahman (2014) Band gap engineered, oxygen-rich TiO<inf>2</inf> for visible light induced photocatalytic reduction of CO<inf>2</inf>, Chemical Communications, (6923-6926), Volume: 50, Issue Number: 13597345, 10.1039/c4cc01304b

Ong, Wee Jun; Tan, Lling Lling; Chai, Siang Piao; Yong, Siek Ting; Mohamed, Abdul Rahman (2014) Facet-dependent photocatalytic properties of TiO<inf>2</inf>-based composites for energy conversion and environmental remediation, ChemSusChem, (690-719), Volume: 7, Issue Number: 18645631, 10.1002/cssc.201300924

Ong, Wee Jun; Tan, Lling Lling; Chai, Siang Piao; Yong, Siek Ting; Mohamed, Abdul Rahman (2014) Highly reactive {001} facets of TiO<inf>2</inf>-based composites: Synthesis, formation mechanism and characterization, Nanoscale, (1946-2008), Volume: 6, Issue Number: 20403364, 10.1039/c3nr04655a

Ong, Wee Jun; Yeong, Jia Jun; Tan, Lling Lling; Goh, Boon Tong; Yong, Siek Ting; Chai, Siang Piao (2014) Synergistic effect of graphene as a co-catalyst for enhanced daylight-induced photocatalytic activity of Zn<inf>0.5</inf>Cd<inf>0.5</inf>S synthesized via an improved one-pot co-precipitation-hydrothermal strategy, RSC Advances, (59676-59685), Volume: 4, 10.1039/c4ra10467f

Ong, Wee Jun; Voon, Seen Yee; Tan, Lling Lling; Goh, Boon Tong; Yong, Siek Ting; Chai, Siang Piao (2014) Enhanced daylight-induced photocatalytic activity of solvent exfoliated graphene (SEG)/ZnO hybrid nanocomposites toward degradation of Reactive Black 5, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, (17333-17344), Volume: 53, Issue Number: 08885885, 10.1021/ie5027088

Tan, Lling Lling; Ong, Wee Jun; Chai, Siang Piao; Mohamed, Abdul Rahman (2013) Growth of carbon nanotubes over non-metallic based catalysts: A review on the recent developments, Catalysis Today, (1-12), Volume: 217, Issue Number: 09205861, 10.1016/j.cattod.2012.10.023

Tan, Lling Lling; Ong, Wee Jun; Chai, Siang Piao; Mohamed, Abdul Rahman (2013) Reduced graphene oxide-TiO<inf>2</inf> nanocomposite as a promising visible-light-active photocatalyst for the conversion of carbon dioxide, Nanoscale Research Letters, Volume: 8, Issue Number: 19317573, 10.1186/1556-276X-8-465

Tan, Lling Lling; Chai, Siang Piao; Mohamed, Abdul Rahman (2012) Growth of carbon nanotubes on Si/SiO <inf>2</inf> wafer etched by hydrofluoric acid under different etching durations, Applied Surface Science, (5774-5777), Volume: 258, Issue Number: 01694332, 10.1016/j.apsusc.2012.02.092

Tan, Lling Lling; Chai, Siang Piao; Mohamed, Abdul Rahman (2012) Synthesis and applications of graphene-based TiO<inf>2</inf> photocatalysts, ChemSusChem, (1868-1882), Volume: 5, Issue Number: 18645631, 10.1002/cssc.201200480

Book

Putri, Lutfi Kurnianditia; Ong, Wee Jun; Tan, Lling Lling; Chew, Yi Hao; Chai, Siang Piao (2018) CHAPTER 4: Functionalization of Chemically Derived Graphene for Solar Energy Conversion, RSC Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, (102-127), Volume: 2018-January, Issue Number: 17577136, 10.1039/9781788012829-00102

Local grants

• Elucidating charge dynamics in carbon quantum dots-based nanocomposites in photocatalysis for environmental and energy applications, Wong Voon Loong, Tan Lling-Lling, Chai Siang-Piao, Abdul Rahman Mohamed, Ong Wee-Jun, Yusoff Noor Yusmiza, 1/2019 – 12/2021, FRGS, RM 112,500
• Development of highly efficient Z-schematic photocatalysis system with enhanced electron transfer for overall water splitting under visible light irradiation, Chai Siang Piao, Abdul Rahman Mohamed, Chang Wei Sea, Tan Lling-Lling, 8/2016 – 7/2019, FRGS, RM 118,000

Current supervision

Phang Sue Jiun, Jamie (Co-supervision)

Elucidating charge dynamics in carbon quantum dots-based nanocomposites in photocatalysis for environmental and energy applications

2019 – Present

Heriot-Watt University Malaysia

Chew Yi Hao (Co-supervision)

Development of highly efficient solar-driven photocatalyst for simultaneous photocatalytic H2 and O2 production via overall water splitting

2017 – Present

Monash University Malaysia

Local Award/Recognition/Exhibition/Stewardship

• Young Researcher Award, IChemE Malaysia, 2017

International Award/Recognition/Exhibition/Stewardship

• Finalist of the Young Researcher Award, IChemE UK, 2017
• PhD Student Award of APCAT-6 Grant and Fellowship Program, APCAT-6 conference and NTU, 2013