Dr. Liu's research focuses on the development of cost-effective and sustainable technologies for environmental purification. His work includes the removal of emerging pollutants and eutrophic substances, as well as uncovering the mechanisms behind the transformation of intermediates and analyzing the evolution of toxicity. He is currently engaged in multi-process coupling to enhance sustainable water treatment technologies. Besides, Dr. Liu emphasizes the rational design and smart manufacturing of target-specific materials using high-precision 3D printing systems, with potential applications in environmental purification technology. His exploration of novel materials aims to address pressing environmental and energy challenges, while also seeking to understand the physical and chemical interactions involved in these processes.

Research Themes under ENVR

• Air and Health

Research Areas

• Environmental engineering
• Pollution and Remediation
• Air quality control

Research Interests

• Environmental purification technologies
• Water treatment
• Additive manufacturing
• Porous materials

Research Projects 

• Innovation and Technology Fund-Ultrahigh Flow Catalytic Air Sterilizer and Purifier (2023-2025)

Publications

Representative Publications

• Z. Liu, C. Marquina, W. Han, J.K.C. Kwan, M.R. Ibarra, K.L. Yeung. Insight into the molecular mechanism of organic pollutants’ adsorption on magnetic ZIF-8 synthesized via a transformational route. Separation and Purification Technology, 2025, 356, 130006
• Y. Liu, J. Yang, Y. Wang, W. Zhu, K. Hu, Z. Liu, K.L. Yeung, Z.S. Zhu, C. Chen, X. Duan, S. Wang. Intrinsic nanoparticle-single-atom interplays steering radical versus nonradical pathways in catalytic ozonation, Nature Communications, 2025, 16 (1), 8790
• S. Li, X. Jiang, W. Xu*, M. Li, Z. Liu*, W. Han, C. Yu, J. Li, H.L. Wang, K.L. Yeung. Unveiling Electron Transfer and Radical Transformation Pathways in Coupled Electrocatalysis and Persulfate Oxidation Reactions for Complex Pollutant Removal, Water Research, 2024, 122456
• H. Zhang, Z. Liu*, J. Fang*, F. Peng. Modulation of π-Electron Density in Ultrathin 2D Layers of Graphite Carbon Nitride for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production, Small, 2024, 2404929
• Z. Liu, J. Lopez-Navas, W. Han*, M.R. Ibarra; J. K.C. Kwan, K.L. Yeung*. Gel transformation as a general strategy for fabrication of highly porous multiscale MOF architectures, Chemical Science, 2023, 14, 7114-7125.
• Y. Liang, W. Xu, J. Fang*, Z. Liu*, D. Chen, T. Pan, Y. Yu, Z. Fang. Highly dispersed bismuth oxide quantum dots/graphite carbon nitride nanosheets heterojunctions for visible light photocatalytic redox degradation of environmental pollutants, Applied Catalysis B: Environment, 2021, 295, 120279 
• J. Qin, Z. Liu*, W. Xu, X. Zhu, F. Liang, Y. Yu, Y. Zheng, L. Yao, H. Zhang, K. Lin, J. Fang*, Z. Fang. Heterogeneous photocatalysis coupled with Fenton-like reaction for fluoroquinolone antibiotics degradation by poly (triazine imide): from mechanism to application in a continuous flow catalytic system. Chemical Engineering Journal 2023, 476, 146856
• X. Hu, Y. Yu, D. Chen, W. Xu, J. Fang*, Z. Liu*, R. Li, L. Yao, J. Qin, Z. Fang. Anatase/Rutile homojunction quantum dots anchored on g-C3N4 nanosheets for antibiotics degradation in seawater matrice via coupled adsorption-photocatalysis: Mechanism insight and toxicity evaluation, Chemical Engineering Journal, 2022, 432,134375
• M. Li, Y. Jin, J. Yan, Z. Liu, N. Feng, W. Han, L. Huang, Q. Li, K.L Yeung, S.Q. Zhou, C.H. Mo. Exploration of perfluorooctane sulfonate degradation properties and mechanism via electron-transfer dominated radical process, Water Research, 2022, 215, 118259
• Y. Yu, D. Chen, W. Xu, J. Fang*, J. Sun, Z. Liu*, Y. Chen, Y. Liang, Z. Fang. “Synergistic adsorption-photocatalytic degradation of different antibiotics in seawater by a porous g-C3N4/calcined-LDH and its application in synthetic mariculture wastewater”, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2021, 416, 126183

Full Publication List