2012 Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering,Tsinghua University

2007 B.S. in Environmental Engineering, Ocean University of China

2016-Present Associate Professor, School of Environment, Tsinghua University

2015-2016 Assistant Professor, School of Environment, Tsinghua University

2014-2015 Lecturer, School of Environment, Tsinghua University

2012-2014 Post-doctoral researcher, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, USA 

2008-2009 Visiting Scholar, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, USA

1. Regular reviewer for: Water Research, Environmental Science & Technology Letters, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, ChemSusChem, Green Chemistry, Applied Energy, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Scientific Reports, Bioresource Technology, Journal of Power Sources, Journal of Cleaner Production, Applied Energy, Electrochemistry Communications, Bioelectrochemistry, Electrochimica Acta, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Journal of Energy Chemistry, Journal of Hazardous Materials, RSC Advances, Separation and Purification Technology, Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology
2. International Water Association (IWA) Emerging Water Leaders Steering Committee Member
3. Vice Chair of IWA Young Water Professionals China Chapter
4. Member of American Chemical Society (ACS)
5. Member of International Society for Microbial Electrochemistry and Technology (ISMET)
6. Member of Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP)

Areas of Research Interests

Wastewater treatment
Wastewater energy and resource recovery
Bioelectrochemical system
Catalytic ozonation

Research Status

1. Novel Membrane Bioelectrochemical Systems for Wastewater Energy Cascade Utilization and Advanced Treatment, NSFC (Natural Science Foundation of China), Research Project, PI, 2018-2021
2. Catalytic Ozonation with Membrane Electrode, Joint Fund of State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Co-PI of Joint Project, 2018-2020
3. In situ Fenton Wastewater Treatment System for Microbial Fuel Cell based on Electrospinning Technology, Tsinghua University Research Project, PI, 2018-2019
4. Research and Development of Key Technologies for Nearly-Zero Emissions and Resource Recovery of Coal Conversion Wastewater, National Key Research and Development Program—China, Sub-Project PI, 2016-2019
5. Bioelectrochemical Systems for Wastewater Cascade Treatment based on Utilization of Energy in Wastewater Itself. Tsinghua University Research Project, PI, 2017-2018
6. Novel Activated Carbon Air-cathodes for Bioelectrochemical Systems: Development and Application, NSFC (Natural Science Foundation of China), Youth Science Fund Project, PI, 2015-2017
7. Superfine Activated Carbon based Catalytic Ozonation and its Membrane-coupled Reactor, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, Research Project, PI, 2015-2017

1. First Class Award of Natural Science Award for Excellence in Scientific Research in Colleges, Ministry of Education, China (Rank 3), 2018
2. The 36th Challenge Cup Outstanding Instructor of Tsinghua University, 2018
3. Excellent Student Research Training (SRT) Program Advisor, 2018
4. First Class Award, Excellent Class Mentor of Tsinghua University, 2017
5. First Class Award, Excellent Student Research Training (SRT) Program Advisor, 2017
6. Outstanding Reviewer Award, Water Research, 2017
7. Outstanding Reviewer Award, Journal of Power Sources, 2017
8. The 35th Challenge Cup Outstanding Instructor of Tsinghua University, 2017
9. Advanced Individual for Teaching, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, 2017
10. Outstanding Reviewer Award, Electrochimica Acta, 2016
11. Excellent Student Research Training (SRT) Program Advisor, 2016
12. Key Scientific Article Certificate by Renewable Energy Global Innovations, 2015
13. The 33th Challenge Cup Outstanding Instructor of Tsinghua University, 2015
14. Advanced Individual for Students Work, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, 2015
15. Talent New Faculty Member Support Program of Tsinghua University, 2014
16. Excellent Doctoral Dissertation of Beijing, 2013
17. Excellent Doctoral Dissertation of Tsinghua University (First Class Award), 2012
18. Honor of Excellent Ph.D. Graduate of Beijing, Beijing, 2012
19. Honor of Excellent Ph.D. Graduate of Tsinghua University, Tsinghua University, 2012
20. Tsinghua Top Grade Scholarship, Tsinghua University, 2011
21. Leadership Scholarship, sponsored by Committee of 100, 2011
22. Honor of Excellent Student of Beijing, Beijing Government, 2011
23. Academic Rising Star Award for doctoral students, sponsored by Ministry of Education, China, 2010
24. Outstanding Environmental Protection Talent Award for Youth Doctoral Students, sponsored by Shanghai Tongji Gao Tingyao Environmental Science and Technology Developing Council,2010

1. Huang, K., Zhang, L., Xu, T., Wei, H., Zhang, R., Zhang, X., Ge, B., Lei, M., Ma, J., Liu, L., Wu, H. 2019. -60 ℃ Solution Synthesis of Atomically Dispersed Cobalt ORR Electrocatalyst with Superior Performance. Nature Communications, 10: 606.
2. Guo, X., Jia, J., Dong, H., Wang, Q., Xu, T., Fu, B., Ran, R., Liang, P., Huang, X., Zhang, X. 2019. Hydrothermal synthesis of FeeMn bimetallic nanocatalysts as highefficiency cathode catalysts for microbial fuel cells. Journal of Power Sources, 414: 444-452.
3. Gao, Y., Fang, Z., Liang, P., Zhang, X., Qiu, Y., Kimura, K., Huang, X. 2019. Anaerobic digestion performance of concentrated municipal sewage by forward osmosis membrane: Focus on the impact of salt and ammonia nitrogen. Bioresource Technology, 276, 204-210.
4. Liu, F., Wang, L., Zuo, K., Luo, S., Zhang, X., Liang, P., Huang, X. 2019. A novel operational strategy to enhance wastewater treatment with dual-anode assembled microbial desalination cell. Bioelectrochemistry, 126, 99-104.
5. Xu, T., Wang, Q., Wu, S., Fu, B., Liang, P., Huang, X., Zhang, X. 2018. A novel filtration composite anode configuration of microbial fuel cell for efficient wastewater treatment and enhanced power generation. Journal of Cleaner Production. 178: 305-313.
6. Dong, H., Liu, X., Xu, T., Wang, Q., Chen, X., Chen, S., Zhang, H., Liang, P., Huang, X., Zhang, X. 2018. Hydrogen peroxide generation in microbial fuel cells using graphene-based air-cathodes. Bioresource Technology, 247(Supplement C), 684-689.
7. Chen, T., Gu, W., Li, G., Wang, Q., Liang, P., Zhang, X., Huang, X. 2018. Significant enhancement in catalytic ozonation efficacy: From granular to super-fine powdered activated carbon. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 12(1), 6.
8. Liang, P., Duan, R., Jiang, Y., Zhang, X., Qiu, Y., Huang, X. 2018. One-year operation of 1000-L modularized microbial fuel cell for municipal wastewater treatment. Water Research, 141, 1-8.
9. Gao, Y., Sun, D., Wang, H., Lu, L., Ma, H., Wang, L., Ren, Z.J., Liang, P., Zhang, X., Chen, X., Huang, X. 2018. Urine-powered synergy of nutrient recovery and urine purification in a microbial electrochemical system. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 4(10), 1427-1438.
10. Zuo, K., Chen, M., Liu, F., Xiao, K., Zuo, J., Cao, X., Zhang, X., Liang, P., Huang, X. 2018. Coupling microfiltration membrane with biocathode microbial desalination cell enhances advanced purification and long-term stability for treatment of domestic wastewater. Journal of Membrane Science, 547, 34-42.
11. Zhang, S., Chang, J., Liu, W., Pan, Y., Cui, K., Chen, X., Liang, P., Zhang, X., Wu, Q., Qiu, Y., Huang, X. 2018. A novel bioaugmentation strategy to accelerate methanogenesis via adding Geobacter sulfurreducens PCA in anaerobic digestion system. Science of The Total Environment, 642, 322-326.
12. Zhang, X., Wang, Q., Xia, X., He, W., Huang, X., Logan, B.E. 2017. Addition of conductive particles to improve the performance of activated carbon air-cathodes in microbial fuel cells. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 3(5), 806-810. (Featured as Front Cover, Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology HOT Article)
13. Chen, X., Zhou, H., Zuo, K., Zhou, Y., Wang, Q., Sun, D., Gao, Y., Liang, P., Zhang, X., Ren, Z.J., Huang, X. 2017. Self-sustaining advanced wastewater purification and simultaneous in situ nutrient recovery in a novel bioelectrochemical system. Chemical Engineering Journal, 330, 692-697.
14. Chen, X., Gao, Y., Hou, D., Ma, H., Lu, L., Sun, D., Zhang, X., Liang, P., Huang, X., Ren, Z.J. 2017. The Microbial Electrochemical Current Accelerates Urea Hydrolysis for Recovery of Nutrients from Source-Separated Urine. Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 4(7), 305-310.
15. Liang, P., Zhang, C., Jiang, Y., Bian, Y., Zhang, H., Sun, X., Yang, X., Zhang, X., Huang, X. 2017. Performance enhancement of microbial fuel cell by applying transient-state regulation. Applied Energy, 185, Part 1, 582-588.
16. Ren, S., Li, M., Sun, J., Bian, Y., Zuo, K., Zhang, X., Liang, P., Huang, X. 2017. A Novel Electrochemical Reactor for Nitrogen and Phosphorus Recovery from Domestic Wastewater. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 11(4).
17. Stager, J.L., Zhang, X., Logan, B.E. 2017. Addition of acetate improves stability of power generation using microbial fuel cells treating domestic wastewater. Bioelectrochemistry, 118, 154-160.
18. Zhang, S., Chang, J., Lin, C., Pan, Y., Cui, K., Zhang, X., Liang, P., Huang, X. 2017. Enhancement of methanogenesis via direct interspecies electron transfer between Geobacteraceae and Methanosaetaceae conducted by granular activated carbon. Bioresource Technology, 245, 132-137.
19. Zuo, K., Chang, J., Liu, F., Zhang, X., Liang, P., Huang, X. 2017. Enhanced organics removal and partial desalination of high strength industrial wastewater with a multi-stage microbial desalination cell. Desalination, 423, 104-110.
20. Zhang, X., He, W., Zhang, R., Wang, Q., Liang, P., Huang, X., Logan, B.E., Fellinger, T.-P. 2016. High-performance carbon aerogel air-cathodes for microbial fuel cells. ChemSusChem, 9(19), 2788-2795. (Featured as ChemSusChem VIP Paper, Front Cover)
21. Wang, Q., Zhang, X., Lv, R., Chen, X., Xue, B., Liang, P., Huang, X. 2016. Binder-free nitrogen-doped graphene catalyst air-cathodes for microbial fuel cells. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 4(32), 12387-12391. (Featured as Front Cover)
22. Zhang, X., He, W., Yang, W., Liu, J., Wang, Q., Liang, P., Huang, X., Logan, B.E. 2016. Diffusion layer characteristics for increasing the performance of activated carbon air cathodes in microbial fuel cells. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 2(2), 266-273. (Featured as Front Cover, Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology Top 10 Most Accessed Article in 2016)
23. Chen, X., Sun, H., Liang, P., Zhang, X., Huang, X. 2016. Optimization of membrane stack configuration in enlarged microbial desalination cells for efficient water desalination. Journal of Power Sources, 324, 79-85.
24. Chen, C.-Y., Tang, C., Wang, H.-F., Chen, C.-M., Zhang, X., Huang, X., Zhang, Q. 2016. Oxygen reduction reaction on graphene in an electro-Fenton system: In situ generation of H2O2 for the oxidation of organic compounds. ChemSusChem, 9(10), 1194-1199.
25. Ailijiang, N., Chang, J., Liang, P., Li, P., Wu, Q., Zhang, X., Huang, X. 2016. Electrical stimulation on biodegradation of phenol and responses of microbial communities in conductive carriers supported biofilms of the bioelectrochemical reactor. Bioresource Technology, 201, 1-7.
26. Ailijiang, N., Chang, J., Wu, Q., Li, P., Liang, P., Zhang, X., Huang, X. 2016. Phenol Degradation by Suspended Biomass in Aerobic/Anaerobic Electrochemical Reactor. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 227(7), 233.
27. Chen, X., Liang, P., Zhang, X., Huang, X. 2016. Bioelectrochemical systems-driven directional ion transport enables low-energy water desalination, pollutant removal, and resource recovery. Bioresource Technology, 215, 274-284.
28. He, W., Wallack, M.J., Kim, K.-Y., Zhang, X., Yang, W., Zhu, X., Feng, Y., Logan, B.E. 2016. The effect of flow modes and electrode combinations on the performance of a multiple module microbial fuel cell installed at wastewater treatment plant. Water Research, 105, 351-360.
29. He, W., Zhang, X., Liu, J., Zhu, X., Feng, Y., Logan, B.E. 2016. Microbial fuel cells with an integrated spacer and separate anode and cathode modules. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 2(1), 186-195.
30. Wu, Q., Chang, J., Yan, X., Ailijiang, N., Fan, Q., Wang, S., Liang, P., Zhang, X., Huang, X. 2016. Electrical stimulation enhanced denitrification of nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane-oxidizing bacteria. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 106, 125-128.
31. Wu, S., Li, H., Zhou, X., Liang, P., Zhang, X., Jiang, Y., Huang, X. 2016. A novel pilot-scale stacked microbial fuel cell for efficient electricity generation and wastewater treatment. Water Research, 98, 396-403.
32. Yan, X., Wu, Q., Sun, J., Liang, P., Zhang, X., Xiao, K., Huang, X. 2016. Hydrodynamic optimization of membrane bioreactor by horizontal geometry modification using computational fluid dynamics. Bioresource Technology, 200, 328-334.
33. Zhang, C., Liang, P., Yang, X., Jiang, Y., Bian, Y., Chen, C., Zhang, X., Huang, X. 2016. Binder-free graphene and manganese oxide coated carbon felt anode for high-performance microbial fuel cell. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 81, 32-38.
34. Zuo, K., Liu, F., Ren, S., Zhang, X., Liang, P., Huang, X. 2016. A novel multi-stage microbial desalination cell for simultaneous desalination and enhanced organics and nitrogen removal from domestic wastewater. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 2(5), 832-837.
35. Zhang, X., He, W., Ren, L., Stager, J., Evans, P.J., Logan, B.E. 2015. COD removal characteristics in air-cathode microbial fuel cells. Bioresource Technology, 176, 23-31.
36. Chen, X., Sun, D., Zhang, X., Liang, P., Huang, X. 2015. Novel self-driven microbial nutrient recovery cell with simultaneous wastewater purification. Scientific Reports, 5, 15744.
37. Li, P., Ailijiang, N., Cao, X., Lei, T., Liang, P., Zhang, X., Huang, X., Teng, J. 2015. Pretreatment of coal gasification wastewater by adsorption using activated carbons and activated coke. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 482, 177-183.
38. Wang, S., Liang, S., Liang, P., Zhang, X., Sun, J., Wu, S., Huang, X. 2015. In-situ combined dual-layer CNT/PVDF membrane for electrically-enhanced fouling resistance. Journal of Membrane Science, 491, 37-44.
39. Zhang, J., Satti, A., Chen, X., Xiao, K., Sun, J., Yan, X., Liang, P., Zhang, X., Huang, X. 2015. Low-voltage electric field applied into MBR for fouling suppression: Performance and mechanisms. Chemical Engineering Journal, 273, 223-230.
40. Zuo, K., Liang, S., Liang, P., Zhou, X., Sun, D., Zhang, X., Huang, X. 2015. Carbon filtration cathode in microbial fuel cell to enhance wastewater treatment. Bioresource Technology, 185, 426-430.
41. Zhang, X., Pant, D., Zhang, F., Liu, J., He, W., Logan, B.E. 2014. Long-term performance of chemically and physically modified activated carbons in air cathodes of microbial fuel cells. ChemElectroChem, 1(11), 1859-1866. (Featured as Frontispiece)
42. Zhang, X., Xia, X., Ivanov, I., Huang, X., Logan, B.E. 2014. Enhanced activated carbon cathode performance for microbial fuel cell by blending carbon black. Environmental Science & Technology, 48(3), 2075-2081.
43. Hoskins, D.L., Zhang, X., Hickner, M.A., Logan, B.E. 2014. Spray-on polyvinyl alcohol separators and impact on power production in air-cathode microbial fuel cells with different solution conductivities. Bioresource Technology, 172, 156-161.
44. Liu, J., Zhang, F., He, W., Zhang, X., Feng, Y., Logan, B.E. 2014. Intermittent contact of fluidized anode particles containing exoelectrogenic biofilms for continuous power generation in microbial fuel cells. Journal of Power Sources, 261(0), 278-284.
45. Luo, X., Zhang, F., Liu, J., Zhang, X., Huang, X., Logan, B.E. 2014. Methane production in microbial reverse-electrodialysis methanogenesis cells (MRMCs) using thermolytic solutions. Environmental Science & Technology, 48(15), 8911-8918.
46. Ren, L., Zhang, X., He, W., Logan, B.E. 2014. High current densities enable exoelectrogens to outcompete aerobic heterotrophs for substrate. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 111(11), 2163-2169.
47. Zhang, X., Liang, P., Shi, J., Wei, J., Huang, X. 2013. Using a glass fiber separator in a single-chamber air-cathode microbial fuel cell shortens start-up time and improves anode performance at ambient and mesophilic temperatures. Bioresource Technology, 130(0), 529-535.
48. Zhang, X., Shi, J., Liang, P., Wei, J., Huang, X., Zhang, C., Logan, B.E. 2013. Power generation by packed-bed air-cathode microbial fuel cells. Bioresource Technology, 142(0), 109-114.
49. Luo, X., Nam, J.-Y., Zhang, F., Zhang, X., Liang, P., Huang, X., Logan, B.E. 2013. Optimization of membrane stack configuration for efficient hydrogen production in microbial reverse-electrodialysis electrolysis cells coupled with thermolytic solutions. Bioresource Technology, 140(0), 399-405.
50. Xia, X., Zhang, F., Zhang, X., Liang, P., Huang, X., Logan, B.E. 2013. Use of pyrolyzed iron ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid modified activated carbon as air–cathode catalyst in microbial fuel cells. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 5(16), 7862-7866.
51. Chen, X., Liang, P., Wei, Z., Zhang, X., Huang, X. 2012. Sustainable water desalination and electricity generation in a separator coupled stacked microbial desalination cell with buffer free electrolyte circulation. Bioresource Technology, 119(0), 88-93.
52. Luo, X., Cao, X., Mo, Y., Xiao, K., Zhang, X., Liang, P., Huang, X. 2012. Power generation by coupling reverse electrodialysis and ammonium bicarbonate: Implication for recovery of waste heat. Electrochemistry Communications, 19(0), 25-28.
53. Zhang, X., Cheng, S., Liang, P., Huang, X., Logan, B.E. 2011. Scalable air cathode microbial fuel cells using glass fiber separators, plastic mesh supporters, and graphite fiber brush anodes. Bioresource Technology, 102(1), 372-375.
54. Zhang, X., Sun, H., Liang, P., Huang, X., Chen, X., Logan, B.E. 2011. Air-cathode structure optimization in separator-coupled microbial fuel cells. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 30(1), 267-271.
55. Wang, X., Cheng, S., Zhang, X., Li, X.-y., Logan, B.E. 2011. Impact of salinity on cathode catalyst performance in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 36(21), 13900-13906.
56. Zhang, X., Cheng, S., Huang, X., Logan, B.E. 2010. The use of nylon and glass fiber filter separators with different pore sizes in air-cathode single-chamber microbial fuel cells. Energy & Environmental Science, 3(5), 659 - 664.
57. Zhang, X., Cheng, S., Huang, X., Logan, B.E. 2010. Improved performance of single-chamber microbial fuel cells through control of membrane deformation. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 25(7), 1825-1828.
58. Zhang, X., Cheng, S., Wang, X., Huang, X., Logan, B.E. 2009. Separator characteristics for increasing performance of microbial fuel cells. Environmental Science & Technology, 43(21), 8456-8461.
59. Cao, X., Huang, X., Liang, P., Boon, N., Fan, M., Zhang, L., Zhang, X. 2009. A completely anoxic microbial fuel cell using a photo-biocathode for cathodic carbon dioxide reduction. Energy & Environmental Science, 2(5), 498-501.
60. Cao, X., Huang, X., Zhang, X., Liang, P., Fan, M. 2009. A mini-microbial fuel cell for voltage testing of exoelectrogenic bacteria. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering in China, 3(3), 307-312.
61. Cao, X., Huang, X., Liang, P., Xiao, K., Zhou, Y., Zhang, X., Logan, B.E. 2009. A new method for water desalination using microbial desalination cells. Environmental Science & Technology, 43(18), 7148-7152.