Prof. Dr. Xili Cui | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award
Deputy Director of Engineering Research Center of Functional Materials Intelligent Manufacturing of Zhejiang Province at Zhejiang University, China
Dr. Xili Cui is a distinguished researcher in the College of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Zhejiang University, recognized for her contributions to high-purity chemical separation and purification. A part of Zhejiang University’s “Hundred Talent Program,” she has received prestigious awards, including the National Science Foundation for Excellent Young Scholars and Zhejiang’s Distinguished Young Scholars. Dr. Cuiโs work focuses on the “molecular recognition mechanism” to enhance separation processes, notably achieving breakthroughs in electronic-grade chemical separation. Her innovative methods, such as using anion-pillared porous materials for selective removal of gases, address critical industrial needs. She has published over 60 research papers in high-impact journals, including Science and Nature Communications, and holds 12 patents. Her accomplishments have earned her national awards like the First Prize in Natural Science from the Ministry of Education, making her a leading figure in chemical engineering and materials science.
Professional profile
Education๐
Dr. Xili Cui has a robust academic background in chemical engineering, beginning with a Bachelorโs degree in Applied Chemistry from Qufu Normal University in 2010. She then pursued a Masterโs degree in Chemical Technology at Tianjin University, working under the guidance of Professor Shaokun Tang, and graduated in 2013. Dr. Cui continued her studies at Zhejiang University, where she earned her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and Technology in 2016, supervised by Professor Huabin Xing. Following her doctoral studies, she expanded her expertise internationally as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of South Florida’s Department of Chemistry, working with Professor Shengqian Ma from 2018 to 2019. Her education laid a solid foundation for her research in high-purity chemical separation, ultimately leading to her current role as a Researcher in Zhejiang Universityโs “Hundred Talent Program.” This extensive education has driven her contributions to advanced material synthesis and separation technology.
Professional Experience๐๏ธ
Dr. Xili Cui is a distinguished researcher at Zhejiang University, where she holds a position in the “Hundred Talent Program” within the College of Chemical and Biological Engineering. Her career began at Zhejiang University as a Research Assistant following her Ph.D. completion in 2016. In 2018, she broadened her research experience internationally, working as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Chemistry at the University of South Florida with Professor Shengqian Ma. In 2019, she returned to Zhejiang University as a full-time researcher in the prestigious “Hundred Talent Program.” Her work focuses on the selective separation and purification of high-purity chemicals, with notable contributions to the molecular recognition mechanism and process enhancements for electronic and polymer-grade materials. In addition to her research roles, Dr. Cui has led major projects, including the National Key R&D Program of China, and collaborates closely with industry, securing substantial funding for innovative research projects.
๐ฌ Research Interest
Dr. Xili Cuiโs research centers on the separation and purification of high-purity chemicals, with a specific focus on advancing molecular recognition mechanisms and enhancing separation processes. Her work addresses critical national needs for electronic and polymer-grade chemicals, where she has pioneered methods for selectively removing impurities from complex chemical mixtures. Dr. Cui’s innovative approaches include the design and synthesis of porous adsorbents with high anion density and precise pore size control, enabling efficient removal of acidic gases like sulfur dioxide and separation of olefins and alkynes. These technologies support the production of high-purity materials, particularly electronic-grade propylene and specialized fluorinated compounds for advanced manufacturing. Her research not only pushes the boundaries of chemical engineering but also contributes to sustainable practices by creating more efficient and selective separation processes, thus reducing waste and energy consumption in industrial applications.
๐Awards and Honors
Dr. Xili Cui has earned numerous prestigious awards and honors recognizing her groundbreaking work in chemical engineering and her contributions to high-purity chemical separation technology. Among her notable accolades are the National Science Foundation for Excellent Young Scholars (2021) and the Zhejiang Provincial Distinguished Young Scholars Foundation (2019). In 2022, she received the First Prize in Natural Science from the Ministry of Education, affirming her research’s high impact on the field. Dr. Cui has also been recognized with the Hou Debang Chemical Science and Technology Award for young scientists and the CPCIF-Clariant Youth Innovation Award for Sustainable Development. Her achievements include the Ionic Liquids and Green Processes Youth Innovation Award and the Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Award in Zhejiang Province. Additionally, her work on acetylene capture and chemical separations earned her a spot in Chinaโs “100 Most Influential Academic Papers” list, underscoring her role as a leading innovator in sustainable chemical engineering.
Conclusion
Dr. Xili Cui is a highly qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her extensive contributions to chemical engineering, especially in high-purity materials. Her record of publication, patents, and funded projects demonstrates strong research capabilities, while her leadership in the field of chemical separation and recognition as a young innovator further solidify her candidacy. With minor enhancements in global collaboration and interdisciplinary research, Dr. Cui would not only continue her impactful work but also potentially elevate her standing on an international scale.
Publications top noted๐
- Qi, H.-O., Lu, M., Qi, S.-C., Liu, X.-Q., Sun, L.-B.
Year: 2025
Title: Indolo[3,2-b]carbazole-based Hyper-Crosslinked Organic Polymers for Adsorptive Separation of C3H6/C2H4
Journal: Separation and Purification Technology, Volume: 353, Article ID: 128349
Citations: 0 - Chen, H., Jiang, X., Wang, B., Li, J., Li, L.
Year: 2025
Title: Decoding the Zeolite Cage Effect in One-Step Ethylene Purification from CO2/C2H2/C2H4 Mixtures
Journal: Chemical Engineering Science, Volume: 301, Article ID: 120729
Citations: 0 - Wang, Q., Yang, L., Ke, T., Cui, X., Xing, H.
Year: 2024
Title: Selective Sorting of Hexane Isomers by Anion-Functionalized Metal-Organic Frameworks with Optimal Energy Regulation
Journal: Nature Communications, Volume: 15(1), Article ID: 2620
Citations: 7 - Pan, H., Zhao, J., Yang, L., Cui, X., Xing, H.
Year: 2024
Title: Modulating Pore Microenvironment in a Robust Ionic Porous Polymer for Efficient Propyne/Propylene Separation
Journal: Chemical Engineering Science, Volume: 298, Article ID: 120413
Citations: 0 - Chen, S., Huang, S., Yang, Z., Xing, H., Cui, X.
Year: 2024
Title: Precise Construction of Nitrogen-Enriched Porous Ionic Polymers as Highly Efficient Sulfur Dioxide Adsorbent
Journal: Small, Volume: 20(35), Article ID: 2400746
Citations: 1 - Cui, J., Qiu, Z., Yang, Z., Yang, L., Xing, H.
Year: 2024
Title: One-Step Butadiene Purification in a Sulfonate-Functionalized MetalโOrganic Framework through Synergistic Separation Mechanism
Journal: Angewandte Chemie – International Edition, Volume: 63(23), Article ID: e202403345
Citations: 3 - Zhang, P., Yin, P., Yang, L., Xing, H., Suo, X.
Year: 2024
Title: Recent Advances and Challenges in Ionic Materials for Post-Combustion Carbon Capture
Journal: Carbon Capture Science and Technology, Volume: 11, Article ID: 100180
Citations: 0 - Guo, Z., Yang, L., Li, Y., Cui, X., Xing, H.
Year: 2024
Title: Pore-Environment Engineering of Pillared Metal-Organic Frameworks for Boosting the Removal of Acetylene from Ethylene
Journal: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, Volume: 63(19), Pages: 8751โ8760
Citations: 3 - Zhang, W., Tang, R., Cui, X., Xing, H.
Year: 2024
Title: Fluorine Spectrum Analysis and Structural Characterization of Y-Type Perfluoropolyether Carboxylic Acid
Journal: Huagong Xuebao/CIESC Journal, Volume: 75(4), Pages: 1718โ1723
Citations: 0 - Qiu, Z., Cui, J., Yang, L., Cui, X., Xing, H.
Year: 2024
Title: Sulfonate Functional Ultramicroporous Materials with Suitable Pore Size and Layer-Stacked Structure for C4 Olefins Purification
Journal: Journal of the American Chemical Society, Volume: 146(14), Pages: 9939โ9946
Citations: 3