Huajian Yu is defending his thesis: "I think my curiosity is the biggest reason why I became a scientist"

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Huajian Yu joined the group of Porous, Hybrid and Bio-hybrid Nanostructured Materials in 2021 and is now defending the work he has been doing since then under the supervision of Miguel Camblor at the Materials Science Institute of Madrid. Entitled as 'Direct hydrothermal synthesis of zeolites and beyond: Interchain expansion and topotactic condensation', this young researcher explains that his research focuses on discovering new zeolites and improving the stability of zeolites to achieve better catalytic performance and higher separation efficiency.

Why did you choose ICMM for your PhD?

ICMM is one of the leading research institutes in materials science in Europe with a great reputation and a multidisciplinary and diverse environment. My supervisors are experts in zeolites, involved in synthesis, characterization and post-treatment. They gave me lots of kind help, not only throughout the application process but also during my PhD.

What are the main applications of your research? Could you give us an example?

Benefiting from their remarkable stability and catalytic performance, the most important and widespread application of zeolites is in catalysis, such as FCC (fluid catalytic cracking) which converts crude oil into gasoline or alkene gases.

How do you think this experience will contribute to your training and to your future?

I am so glad to have the opportunity to pursue my PhD at ICMM. The knowledge and experience I have gained here will greatly contribute to my future career. Working in such a multidisciplinary and international environment has broadened my perspective, taught me how to approach scientific problems from different angles, and strengthened my ability to collaborate effectively with researchers from diverse backgrounds

What are your plans once you finish your PhD?

I would like to continue my research as a postdoctoral researcher. I am very interested in materials science, especially zeolite synthesis and catalysis. Some people say zeolite synthesis is like picking things out of a black box, but for me, it is like opening a mystery box. I am always excited when I discover a 'secret edition' (a new structure).

Why did you become a scientist? Who have been your role models?

I think my curiosity is the biggest reason why I became a scientist. I have always been fascinated by how things work. During my PhD, I had the privilege of working with many inspiring scientists who not only shared their expertise but also taught me the importance of being systematic, patient, and persistent in research.