Spotlight: Dr Jiaxin Li

Starting at COE-CSI in January 2025, Dr Jiaxin Li is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Prof Liming Dai’s group at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). She did her PhD at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Germany, supervised by Professor Markus Antonietti (COE-CSI Partner Investigator). Jiaxin’s research focuses on designing and synthesising porous carbon materials for energy storage and conversion devices, including supercapacitors, hybrid metal-ion capacitors, and metal-air batteries.

Your research problem and ultimate goal?

I am developing facile and sustainable synthesis methods for porous carbonaceous materials with tuneable pore structures and elemental compositions. This involves the rational design of molecular precursors and metal salts, as well as investigating the formation mechanisms of carbon frameworks and porosity at the molecular level. In parallel, I study the application of these carbon materials as electrodes in various batteries and capacitors, aiming to understand how their structure influences charge storage behaviour.

I want to establish a sustainable synthesis strategy for producing carbon materials with well-defined structures, emphasising low temperature, high yield, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. A second goal is to rationally design carbon architectures that deliver high electrochemical performance, while uncovering the fundamental structure–property relationships that govern their behaviours in energy storage devices.

Key challenges?

A major challenge is developing a facile, one-step synthesis of porous carbon materials at lower temperatures, without compromising yield, structural integrity, conductivity, or electrochemical performance. This requires a molecular-level understanding of the condensation and pore formation processes of molecular precursors during thermal treatment. Advancing in situ high-temperature characterisation techniques is essential to capture these dynamic transformations. Another key challenge is the rational design of carbon architectures tailored to specific energy storage applications, such as batteries and supercapacitors. Equally important is elucidating the charge storage mechanisms, particularly the molecular-level interactions at the carbon–electrolyte interface, to guide the development of more efficient and durable energy storage systems.

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

Curiosity. I’m always eager to see the latest experimental results, especially how my newly synthesised carbon materials turn out in terms of yield, morphology and pore structure, and how they perform in batteries…And sometimes, it’s simply the thought of a good breakfast and a nice cup of coffee.

Favourite thing to do on the weekend?

During my PhD, I enjoyed exploring museums, second-hand markets, and trying out different cafés and restaurants on the weekend. I often wandered through historic neighbourhoods, biked or took trains to nearby forests or towns for day trips. Now in Sydney, I enjoy discovering new beaches, hiking scenic trails, and exploring the vibrant cityscape and natural surroundings.