Projects per year
Personal profile
SUMMARY of research interests (100 words)
My work centres on understanding the structure-property relationships of novel materials for energy storage and conversion. I have particular expertise in the use of operando pair distribution function (PDF) measurements, together with the development and application of structure modelling and big-data approaches to extract detailed mechanistic information from these measurements.
My scientific focus is on elucidating the role of complex structures (e.g. nanostructured, defected, and disordered systems) on the functional response of key energy materials. Using the insight gained, my research aims to develop better materials for various energy applications, such as rechargeable batteries, photovoltaic devices, and heterogeneous catalysis.
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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Atomic structure study of energy storage materials via in-house X-ray total scattering
Hua, X. (Principal Investigator)
Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund
1/01/25 → 31/12/28
Project: Research
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Solid-state NMR and Pair Distribution Function Studies of Layered Double Hydroxides
Hua, X. (Principal Investigator)
1/12/24 → 30/11/26
Project: Research
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MC PDF: Disordered Rocksalt Electrode via Electrochemical Synthesis (DistroElesis)
Hua, X. (Principal Investigator)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
7/10/24 → 6/10/26
Project: Research
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iCASE: Electrically Switchable Windows for Automotive Applications
Hua, X. (Principal Investigator)
1/10/24 → 30/09/28
Project: Research
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Metal Fluoride Open Frameworks as Next-generation K-ion Battery Cathodes
Hua, X. (Principal Investigator)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
1/02/24 → 31/01/27
Project: Research
Research output
- 29 Journal article
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Stabilizing Configurational Entropy in Spinel‐type High Entropy Oxides during Discharge–Charge by Overcoming Kinetic Sluggish Diffusion
Li, K., Shi, L., An, J., Zhang, M., Du, Y., Ma, Y., Lou, S., Yin, G., Yu, Z., Hua, X. & Huo, H., 6/11/2025, In: Angewandte Chemie. e202518569.Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure) -
Stabilizing Configurational Entropy in Spinel‐type High Entropy Oxides during Discharge–Charge by Overcoming Kinetic Sluggish Diffusion
Li, K., Shi, L., An, J., Zhang, M., Du, Y., Ma, Y., Lou, S., Yin, G., Yu, Z., Hua, X. & Huo, H., 6/11/2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Angewandte Chemie International Edition. e202518569.Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure) -
Interplay between Defects and Short-Range Disorder Manipulating the Oxygen Evolution Reaction on a Layered Double Hydroxide Electrocatalyst
Li, Z., Yang, J., Gao, R., Xu, S.-M., Kong, X., Hua, X., Zhao, P., Hao, H., O’Hare, D. & Zhao, Y., 22/02/2024, In: The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. 15, 7, p. 2006-2014 9 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Open AccessFile36 Downloads (Pure) -
Porosity characterisation of solid-state battery electrolyte with terahertz time-domain spectroscopy
Kiritharan, S., Lucas, S., Degl’Innocenti, R., Hua, X., Dawson, R. & Lin, H., 1/03/2024, In: Journal of Power Sources. 595, 234050.Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Open Access -
Structural disorder determines capacitance in nanoporous carbons
Liu, X., Lyu, D., Merlet, C., Leesmith, M. J. A., Hua, X., Xu, Z., Grey, C. P. & Forse, A. C., 19/04/2024, In: Science. 384, 6693, p. 321-325 5 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Open AccessFile142 Downloads (Pure)
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Royal Society of Chemistry Schools' Analyst Competition
Hardy, J. (Participant), Docherty, J. (Participant), Doulcet, J. (Participant), Mercer, M. (Participant), Hua, X. (Participant), Mertens, S. (Participant), Toghill, K. (Participant), Platel, R. (Participant), Spencer, G. (Organiser) & Munoz-Herranz, M. P. (Contributor)
29/04/2026Activity: Other activity types › Types of Business and Community - Hosting of external, non-academic visitor
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Lancaster University Chemistry Offer Holder Event
Hardy, J. (Host), Spencer, G. (Organiser), Kerridge, A. (Participant), Baum, J. (Participant), Danos, L. (Participant), Zibouche, N. (Participant), Aktar, N. (Participant), Mertens, S. (Participant), Hua, X. (Participant), Fairclough, R. (Participant), Barker Benavides, C. (Participant), Pell, E. (Participant), Horsburgh, J. (Participant), Langford, B. (Participant), Andrews, H. (Participant), Murphy, D. (Participant), Hogarth, D. (Participant) & Ward, O. (Participant)
22/03/2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Other
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Lancaster university chemistry Offer Holder Event
Hardy, J. (Participant), Kerridge, A. (Participant), Evans, N. (Participant), Franckevicius, V. (Participant), Doulcet, J. (Participant), Gortz, V. (Participant), Hua, X. (Participant), Peach, M. (Participant), Pullen, J. (Participant), Aktar, N. (Participant), Docherty, J. (Participant) & Merrix, S. (Participant)
9/03/2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Other
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Lancaster University Chemistry Offer Holder Event
Hardy, J. (Host), Spencer, G. (Organiser), Franckevicius, V. (Participant), Gortz, V. (Participant), Evans, N. (Participant), Baum, J. (Participant), McLaughlin, M. (Participant), Kerridge, A. (Participant) & Hua, X. (Participant)
18/03/2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Other
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Lancaster University Chemistry Open Day
Hardy, J. (Participant), Spencer, G. (Organiser), Hua, X. (Participant), Aktar, N. (Participant), Fletcher, N. (Participant) & Gortz, V. (Participant)
17/09/2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Other
Press/Media
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Power in Chaos: Disordered battery structures outperform ordered counterparts
Greyling, E., Hua, X. & Leesmith, M.
26/07/24
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Newspaper Article
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Lancaster Chemists awarded £173k grant from Marie Curie Research fund
Greyling, E., Yu, Z. & Hua, X.
27/03/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Newspaper Article