Preparation and characterisation of functional nanomaterials

Dr Li has been working on clay materials since undergraduate period and has accumulated intensive experience in synthesis and characterisation of functional nanomaterials with nanoclay involvement. All his projects are of industrial engagement, affording him a sight and sense of commercialisation potential. His recent researches focuses on preparation and characterisation of synthetic plate-like nanomaterials as sustainable and smart carrier for various agrochemicals.

Dr Peng Li acquired his Bachelor degree from Wuhan University of Technology (Hubei, China) in 2002 and Master degree from Chalmers University of Technology (Gothenburg, Sweden) in 2005. After working in Tsinghua Science Park (Zhuhai) for 3 years, Peng was enrolled in the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, the University of Queensland and awarded Ph.D degree in 2013, and is currently a postdoctoral research fellow here. His research area is functional nanomaterials with industrial potential and his recent research focuses on synthetic nanoclay or clay-matrix nanocomposites for various agricultural applications, including sustainable fertilisers, insecticides, herbicides, etc.

Industry Engagement and Collaborations

2005.4-2005.11 thermal and mechanical properties and flame-retardancy performance of polymer matrix/nanoclay composites in SP Technical Institute of Sweden
2009.6-2013.3 preparation and characterisation of long-term micronutrient foliar fertilisers in ARC Linkage project with Agrichem
2012.8 YARA Production Site, U.K. supported by UQ International Travel Grant
2015.1-present applications of various categories of materials as RNA vehicles in agricultural field with Nufarm

Key Publications

  1. P. Li, Y. Huang, C. K. Fu, S. X. Jiang, W. Peng, Y. Jia, H. Peng, P. Zhang, N. Manzie, N. Mitter, Z. P. Xu. EcoMat, 2021, 3, e12132. https://doi.org/10.1002/eom2.12132
  2. N. Mitter, E. A. Worrall, K. E. Robinson, P. Li, R. G. Jain, C. Taochy, S. J. Fletcher, B. J. Carroll, G. Q. Lu, Z. P. Xu, Nature Plants, 2017, 3, 16207. https://doi.org/10.1038/nplants.2016.207
  3. M. Li, P. Li, L. Zhang, M. Chen, J. Tang, C. Qin, S. Lee, S. Lin, Chemical Engineering Journal, 2022, 434, 134772, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.134772
  4. P. Li, Y. Du, L. Huang, N. Mitter, Z. P. Xu, RSC Advances, 2016, 6, 69465. https://doi.org/10.1039/C6RA09428G
  5. P. Li, Z. P. Xu, M. A. Hampton, D. T. Vu, L. Huang, V. Rudolph, A. V. Nguyen, The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2012, 116, 10325. https://doi.org/10.1021/jp300045u
  6. N. Mitter, E. A. Worrall, K. E. Robinson , P. Li, R. G. Jain, C. Taochy, S. J. Fletcher, B. J. Carroll, G. Q. (Max) Lu, Z. P. Xu, Clay nanosheets for delivery of RNA interference as a topical spray for sustained protection against plant viruses, Nature Plants, 2017, 3, 16207
  7. P. Li, Y. Du, L. Huang, N. Mitter, and Z. P. Xu, Nanotechnology promotes the R&D of new-generation micronutrient foliar fertilizers , RSC Advances, 2016, 6 , 69465 
  8. Y. Du, P. Li, A. V. Nguyen, Z. P. Xu, D. Mulligan, L. Huang, Zinc uptake and distribution in tomato plants in response to foliar supply of Zn hydroxide-nitrate nanocrystal suspension with controlled Zn solubility, Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 2015,178, 722
  9. P. Li, L. Li, Y. Du, M. A. Hampton, A. V. Nguyen, Z. P. Xu, V. Rudolph, L. Huang, Potential foliar fertilizers with copper and zinc dual micronutrients in nanocrystal suspension, Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 2014, 16, 2669
  10. P. Li, Z. P. Xu, A. Hampton, D. T. Vu, L. Huang, V. Rudolph, A. V. Nguyen, Control Preparation of Zinc Hydroxide Nitrate Nanocrystals and Examination of the Chemical and Structural Stability, The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2012, 116, 10325