Yan Zhao
Email: zhaoyan@xjtu.edu.cn
Webpage: https://gr.xjtu.edu.cn/web/zhaoyan
Research Interests
1. Energy storage materials
2. Batteries
3. Electrolytes
4. Organic synthesis
Experience
2025.12 – Present Xi'an Jiaotong University, China Professor
2024.05 – 2025.11 Xi'an Jiaotong University, China Associate Professor
2022.06 – 2024.01 University of Fribourg, Switzerland Postdoc
Education
2017.11 – 2021.12 University of Fribourg, Switzerland PhD
2014.09 – 2017.07 Tsinghua University, China M.Sc
2009.09 – 2013.07 Xi'an University of Technology, China B.Sc.
Honors and Awards
National Young Talents 2025
Siyuan Scholar 2025
Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad 2022
Selected Publications
1. Yan Zhao, Ali Coskun*. "Heating Up the Binder" Nature Energy, 2023, 8: 113-114. [News&Views article]
2. Yan Zhao*, Tianhong Zhou*. "Building better electrolytes" Chem, 2023, 9(3): 547-549. [Potential Energy article]
3. Yan Zhao#, Tianhong Zhou#, Lars P. H. Jeurgens, Xian Kong, Jang Wook Choi*, Ali Coskun*. "Electrolyte Engineering for Highly Inorganic Solid Electrolyte Interphase in High Performance Lithium Metal Batteries" Chem, 2023, 9(3): 682-697. [Selected as Featured articles] [ESI Highly Cited Paper, TOP 1%]
4. Yan Zhao#, Tianhong Zhou#, Mounir Mensi, Jang Wook Choi*, Ali Coskun*. " Electrolyte engineering via ether solvent fluorination for developing stable non-aqueous lithium metal batteries" Nature Communications, 2023, 14, 299. [ESI Highly Cited Paper, TOP 1%]
5. Yan Zhao#, Tianhong Zhou#, Timur Ashirov, Mario El Kazzi, Claudia Cancellieri, Lars PH Jeurgens, Jang Wook Choi*, Ali Coskun*. "Fluorinated Ether Electrolyte with Controlled Solvation Structure for High Voltage Lithium Metal Batteries" Nature Communications, 2022, 13, 2575. [Highlighted as a News&Views at Nature Reviews Chemistry] [ESI Highly Cited Paper, TOP 1%]
6. Yan Zhao#, Tianhong Zhou#, Dominika Baster, Mario El Kazzi, Jang Wook Choi*, Ali Coskun*. "Targeted Functionalization of Cyclic Ether Solvents for Controlled Reactivity in High-Voltage Lithium Metal Batteries" ACS Energy Letters, 2023, 8(7), 3180-3187.
