Sailin Liu

Research Interests

Electrochemistry Energy Materials Materials Engineering Nanomaterials

Sailin Liu

School of Chemical Engineering

College of Engineering and Information Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Dr. Sailin Liu is committed to developing high-energy-density batteries with high safety and long cycling lives. During her Ph.D. study, she was specializing in frontier technologies of developing non-flammable electrolytes and stable electrode/electrolyte interface. Her current research interest is non-flammable organic electrolytes, electrolyte/electrode interface, aqueous rechargeable battery technology.

Dr. Sailin Liu is an ARC-funded Industry Early Career Research Fellow (IE24) at the University of Adelaide. She is also an Associate Investigator at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide. She is an emerging leader in materials science and electrochemistry, demonstrating productivity and influence throughout her career since completing her PhD in 2021. Her research focuses on developing non-flammable electrolytes and stable electrode/electrolyte interfaces for lithium metal, Li-CO2, potassium ion, and aqueous batteries (eg. aqueous zinc ion batteries and aqueous lithium ion batteries). Dr. Liu has expertise in electrolyte research, fostering industrial skills and research collaborations. She has extensive experience utilizing Synchrotron FT-IR, PD and XAS beamlines and has been awarded the AINSE-PGRA and AINSE-ECRG for her work with in-situ Synchrotron FTIR in Australia.

https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=zdKJpkEAAAAJ&hl=en

Date Position Institution name
2024 - ongoing ARC Industry Early Career Research Fellow University of Adelaide
2021 - ongoing Postdoc Research Fellow University of Adelaide

Date Institution name Country Title
2018 - 2021 University of Wollongong Australia PhD
2014 - 2017 Central South University China Master
2010 - 2014 Central South University China Bachelor

Year Citation
2025 Gupta, D., Liu, S., Zhang, R., & Guo, Z. (2025). Future Long Cycling Life Cathodes for Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries in Grid‐Scale Energy Storage. Advanced Energy Materials, 15(18), 2500171-1-2500171-19.
DOI Scopus32 WoS25
2025 Song, J., Zhou, W., Shang, W., Li, J., Zhang, Q., Yin, X., . . . Liu, S. (2025). Numerical simulation of the effects of spraying parameters on the bow shock wave and atomized droplets deposition. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 341, 130919.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2025 Vongsvivut, J., Liu, S., Zhang, R., Easdon, A., Pang, W. K., & Guo, Z. (2025). Novel piezo-controlled ATR-FTIR microspectroscopy for in-situ monitoring of electrochemical reaction in battery models. Infrared Physics and Technology, 149, 105899.
DOI
2025 Song, J., Shang, W., Zhou, W., Li, J., Wu, X., Li, W., . . . Liu, S. (2025). From issues to solutions: 3D printing for overcoming challenges in liquid- and solid-state batteries. Energy Storage Materials, 79, 104342-1-104342-33.
DOI Scopus5 WoS5
2025 Zhu, Y., Wang, Y., Wang, B., Tan, X., Yang, Z., Yu, C., . . . Zhang, C. (2025). Sorption and Utilization of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Rechargeable Zinc-Ion Batteries. Small, 21(39), e07204-1-e07204-12.
DOI Scopus1 Europe PMC1
2025 Wang, J., Yuwono, J., Wang, Y., Lyu, Y., Liu, S., Hall, T., . . . Guo, Z. (2025). Selective Lithium Recovery via Stepwise Transition Metal Crystallization in a Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent. Advanced Science, 12(45), e14509-1-e14509-12.
DOI
2025 Cao, L., Tao, Y., Lei, S., He, S., Peng, Y., Liu, S., . . . Liu, Y. (2025). Models for predicting the risk of bloodstream infections associated with peripherally inserted central venous catheters: A scoping review. PLOS ONE, 20(10), 11 pages.
DOI
2024 Sun, L., Li, G., Zhang, S., Liu, S., Yuwono, J., Mao, J., & Guo, Z. (2024). Practical assessment of the energy density of potassium-ion batteries. Science China Chemistry, 67(1), 4-12.
DOI Scopus19 WoS31
2024 Li, G., Sun, L., Zhang, S., Zhang, C., Jin, H., Davey, K., . . . Guo, Z. (2024). Developing Cathode Materials for Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries: Challenges and Practical Prospects. Advanced Functional Materials, 34(5), 2301291-1-2301291-26.
DOI Scopus454 WoS558
2024 Sun, P., Liu, S., Zheng, X., Hu, G., Zhang, Q., Liu, X., . . . Chen, Y. (2024). Challenges and opportunities of atomic-scales reactive sites in thriving electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction. Nano Today, 55, 30 pages.
DOI Scopus40 WoS41
2024 Song, J., Jiang, M., Li, H., Wan, C., Chu, X., Zhang, Q., . . . Liu, S. (2024). FIRST-PRINCIPLES COMPUTATIONAL INSIGHTS INTO SILICON-BASED ANODE MATERIALS: RECENT PROGRESS AND PERSPECTIVES. Surface Review and Letters, 31(6), 28 pages.
DOI Scopus3 WoS4
2024 Liu, S., Zhang, R., Wang, C., Mao, J., Chao, D., Zhang, C., . . . Guo, Z. (2024). Zinc ion Batteries: Bridging the Gap from Academia to Industry for Grid-Scale Energy Storage. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 63(17), e202400045-1-e202400045-12.
DOI Scopus141 WoS68 Europe PMC48
2024 Liu, S., & Guo, Z. (2024). Safety for all temperature zinc-ion batteries. Journal of Energy Chemistry, 94, 299-301.
DOI Scopus10 WoS10
2024 Zhang, R., Pang, W. K., Vongsvivut, J. P., Yuwono, J. A., Li, G., Lyu, Y., . . . Guo, Z. (2024). Weakly solvating aqueous-based electrolyte facilitated by a soft co-solvent for extreme temperature operations of zinc-ion batteries. Energy and Environmental Science, 17(13), 4569-4581.
DOI Scopus115 WoS115
2024 He, H., Huang, D., Gan, Q., Hao, J., Liu, S., Wu, Z., . . . Guo, Z. (2024). Correction to "Anion Vacancies Regulating Endows MoSSe with Fast and Stable Potassium Ion Storage".. ACS nano, 18(50), 34421-34422.
DOI
2023 Liu, S., Zhang, R., Mao, J., Yuwono, J., Wang, C., Davey, K., & Guo, Z. (2023). Design of electrolyte for boosted aqueous battery performance: A critical review and perspective. Applied Physics Reviews, 10(2), 021304-1-021304-32.
DOI Scopus41 WoS17
2023 Feng, Z., Chen, R., Huang, R., Zhang, F., Liu, W., & Liu, S. (2023). Electrolyte Solvation Structure Manipulation and Synthetic Optimization for Enhanced Potassium Storage of Tin Phosphide/Carbon Alloy-Based Electrode. Metals, 13(4), 13 pages.
DOI Scopus4 WoS5
2023 Wang, Y., Wang, Z., Pang, W. K., Lie, W., Yuwono, J. A., Liang, G., . . . Guo, Z. (2023). Solvent control of water O-H bonds for highly reversible zinc ion batteries. Nature Communications, 14(1), 1-11.
DOI Scopus294 WoS290
2023 Yang, F., Long, J., Yuwono, J. A., Fei, H., Fan, Y., Li, P., . . . Guo, Z. (2023). Single atom catalysts for triiodide adsorption and fast conversion to boost the performance of aqueous zinc–iodine batteries. Energy and Environmental Science, 16(10), 4630-4640.
DOI Scopus127 WoS126
2023 Song, J., Jiang, M., Yuwono, J. A., Liu, S., Wang, J., Zhang, Q., . . . Liu, J. (2023). The effect of Ge doping concentration on the electrochemical performance of silicene anode for lithium-ion batteries: a first-principles study.. Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP, 25(44), 30716-30726.
DOI Scopus7 WoS6
2023 Lyu, Y., Yuwono, J., Wang, P., Wang, Y., Yang, F., Liu, S., . . . Guo, Z. (2023). Organic pH Buffer for Dendrite-Free and Shuttle-Free Zn-I₂ Batteries. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 62(21), e202303011-1-e202303011-10.
DOI Scopus212 WoS74 Europe PMC81
2023 Zhang, W., Zhang, F., Liu, S., Pang, W. K., Lin, Z., Guo, Z., & Chai, L. (2023). Regulating the reduction reaction pathways via manipulating the solvation shell and donor number of the solvent in Li-CO₂ chemistry.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 120(14), 1-7.
DOI Scopus34 WoS10 Europe PMC17
2023 Lyu, Y., Yuwono, J. A., Wang, P., Wang, Y., Yang, F., Liu, S., . . . Guo, Z. (2023). Organic pH Buffer for Dendrite‐Free and Shuttle‐Free Zn‐I₂ Batteries. Angewandte Chemie, 135(21), e202303011-1-e202303011-10.
DOI
2023 Liu, S., Vongsvivut, J. P., Wang, Y., Zhang, R., Yang, F., Zhang, S., . . . Guo, Z. (2023). Monolithic Phosphate Interphase for Highly Reversible and Stable Zn Metal Anode. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 62(4), 1-10.
DOI Scopus161 WoS168 Europe PMC58
2022 Wang, Y., Wang, Z., Yang, F., Liu, S., Zhang, S., Mao, J., & Guo, Z. (2022). Electrolyte engineering enables high performance zinc-ion batteries. Small, 18(43), 2107033-1-2107033-20.
DOI Scopus220 WoS221 Europe PMC76
2022 Liu, S., Zhang, R., Mao, J., Zhao, Y., Cai, Q., & Guo, Z. (2022). From room temperature to harsh temperature applications: Fundamentals and perspectives on electrolytes in zinc metal batteries. Science Advances, 8(12), eabn5097-1-eabn5097-25.
DOI Scopus277 WoS281 Europe PMC110
2022 Mao, J., Wang, C., Lyu, Y., Zhang, R., Wang, Y., Liu, S., . . . Guo, Z. (2022). Organic electrolyte design for practical potassium-ion batteries. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 10(37), 19090-19106.
DOI Scopus49 WoS47
2022 Jiang, Y., Chai, L., Zhang, D., Ouyang, F., Zhou, X., Alhassan, S. I., . . . Zhang, W. (2022). Facet-Controlled LiMn<inf>2</inf>O<inf>4</inf>/C as Deionization Electrode with Enhanced Stability and High Desalination Performance. Nano-Micro Letters, 14(1), 12 pages.
DOI Scopus33 WoS35 Europe PMC8
2022 Yang, F., Yuwono, J. A., Hao, J., Long, J., Yuan, L., Wang, Y., . . . Guo, Z. (2022). Understanding H₂ evolution electrochemistry to minimize solvated water impact on zinc anode performance. Advanced Materials, 34(45), 1-12.
DOI Scopus273 WoS128 Europe PMC84
2021 Zeng, X., Mao, J., Hao, J., Liu, J., Liu, S., Wang, Z., . . . Guo, Z. (2021). Electrolyte design for in situ construction of highly Zn²⁺-conductive solid electrolyte interphase to enable high-performance aqueous Zn-Ion batteries under practical conditions. Advanced Materials, 33(11), 1-11.
DOI Scopus725 WoS332 Europe PMC229
2021 Wang, Y., Wang, Z., Zhao, L., Fan, Q., Zeng, X., Liu, S., . . . Guo, Z. (2021). Lithium metal electrode with increased air stability and robust solid electrolyte interphase realized by silane coupling agent modification. Advanced Materials, 33(14), 2008133-1-2008133-9.
DOI Scopus196 WoS193 Europe PMC61
2021 Liu, S., Mao, J., Zhang, L., Pang, W. K., Du, A., & Guo, Z. (2021). Manipulating the solvationstructure of nonflammable electrolyte and interface to enable uUnprecedented stability of graphite anodes beyond 2 years for safe pPotassium-ion batteries. Advanced Materials, 33(1), 2006313-1-2006313-9.
DOI Scopus219 WoS216 Europe PMC71
2021 Wu, J., Liu, S., Rehman, Y., Huang, T., Zhao, J., Gu, Q., . . . Guo, Z. (2021). Phase engineering of nickel sulfides to boost sodium- and potassium-ion storage performance. Advanced Functional Materials, 31(27), 2010832-1-2010832-10.
DOI Scopus132 WoS127
2021 He, H., Li, X., Huang, D., Luan, J., Liu, S., Pang, W. K., . . . Guo, Z. (2021). Electron-injection-engineering induced phase transition toward stabilized 1T-MoS₂ with extraordinary sodium storage performance. ACS nano, 15(5), 8896-8906.
DOI Scopus113 WoS111 Europe PMC34
2021 Gu, X., Zhang, L., Zhang, W., Liu, S., Wen, S., Mao, X., . . . Guo, Z. (2021). A CoSe-C@C core-shell structure with stable potassium storage performance realized by an effective solid electrolyte interphase layer. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 9(18), 11397-11404.
DOI Scopus48 WoS49
2021 Yang, F., Hao, J., Long, J., Liu, S., Zheng, T., Lie, W., . . . Guo, Z. (2021). Achieving high-performance metal phosphide anode for potassium ion batteries via concentrated electrolyte chemistry. Advanced Energy Materials, 11(6), 2003346-1-2003346-10.
DOI Scopus92 WoS89
2021 Liu, S., Mao, J., Pang, W. K., Vongsvivut, J., Zeng, X., Thomsen, L., . . . Guo, Z. (2021). Tuning the electrolyte solvation structure to suppress cathode dissolution, water reactivity, and Zn dendrite growth in zinc‐ion batteries. Advanced Functional Materials, 31(38), 2104281-1-2104281-11.
DOI Scopus403 WoS403
2021 Zeng, X., Xie, K., Liu, S., Zhang, S., Hao, J., Liu, J., . . . Guo, Z. (2021). Bio-inspired design of an in situ multifunctional polymeric solid–electrolyte interphase for Zn metal anode cycling at 30 mA cm⁻² and 30 mA h cm⁻². Energy & Environmental Science, 14(11), 5947-5957.
DOI Scopus437 WoS435
2020 Hao, J., Li, B., Li, X., Zeng, X., Zhang, S., Yang, F., . . . Guo, Z. (2020). An in-depth study of Zn metal surface chemistry for advanced aqueous Zn-ion batteries. Advanced Materials, 32(34), e2003021.
DOI Scopus1007 WoS1021 Europe PMC304
2020 Liu, S., Mao, J., Zhang, Q., Wang, Z., Pang, W. K., Zhang, L., . . . Guo, Z. (2020). An Intrinsically Non‐flammable Electrolyte for High‐Performance Potassium Batteries. Angewandte Chemie, 132(9), 3667-3673.
DOI
2020 Wu, J., Zhang, Q., Liu, S., Long, J., Wu, Z., Zhang, W., . . . Guo, Z. (2020). Synergy of binders and electrolytes in enabling microsized alloy anodes for high performance potassium-ion batteries. Nano Energy, 77, 105118-1-105118-10.
DOI Scopus103 WoS100
2020 Liu, S., Mao, J., Zhang, Q., Wang, Z., Pang, W. K., Zhang, L., . . . Guo, Z. (2020). An intrinsically non-flammable electrolyte for high-performance potassium batteries. Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 59(9), 3638-3644.
DOI Scopus275 WoS269 Europe PMC93
2020 Liang, D., Zhang, H., Ma, X., Liu, S., Mao, J., Fang, H., . . . Huang, T. (2020). MOFs-derived core-shell Co3Fe7@Fe2N nanopaticles supported on rGO as high-performance bifunctional electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions. Materials Today Energy, 17, 100433.
DOI Scopus56 WoS57
2019 He, H., Huang, D., Gan, Q., Hao, J., Liu, S., Wu, Z., . . . Guo, Z. (2019). Anion vacancies regulating endows MoSSe with fast and stable potassium ion storage. ACS Nano, 13(10), 11843-11852.
DOI Scopus289 WoS287 Europe PMC71
2017 Zhu, K., Liu, J., Li, S., Liu, L., Yang, L., Liu, S., . . . Xie, T. (2017). Ultrafine Cobalt Phosphide Nanoparticles Embedded in Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Matrix as a Superior Anode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries. Advanced Materials Interfaces, 4(19), 1-8.
DOI Scopus110 WoS110
2017 Yang, L., Li, S., Liu, J., Zhu, K., Liu, S., & Lei, M. (2017). Hollow bean-pod-like SiO2-supported-SnO2/C nanocomposites for durable lithium and sodium storage. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 5(4), 1629-1636.
DOI Scopus44 WoS45
2017 Zhu, K., Wang, X., Liu, J., Li, S., Wang, H., Yang, L., . . . Xie, T. (2017). Novel Amorphous MoS₂/MoO₃/Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Composite with Excellent Electrochemical Performance for Lithium Ion Batteries and Sodium Ion Batteries. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 5(9), 8025-8034.
DOI Scopus83 WoS79
2017 Zhu, K. J., Liu, G., Wang, Y. J., Liu, J., Li, S. T., Yang, L. Y., . . . Xie, T. (2017). Metal-Organic Frameworks derived novel hierarchical durian-like nickel sulfide (NiS 2 ) as an anode material for high-performance sodium-ion batteries. Materials Letters, 197, 180-183.
DOI Scopus62 WoS63
2016 Liu, S., Liu, J., Wang, W., Yang, L., Zhu, K., & Wang, H. (2016). Synthesis of coral-like Fe₂N@C nanoparticles and application in sodium ion batteries as a novel anode electrode material. RSC Advances, 6(89), 86131-86136.
DOI Scopus34 WoS31
2016 Li, S., Liu, G., Liu, J., Lu, Y., Yang, Q., Yang, L. -Y., . . . Han, M. (2016). Carbon fiber cloth@VO₂ (B): excellent binder-free flexible electrodes with ultrahigh mass-loading. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 4(17), 6426-6432.
DOI Scopus65 WoS59
2016 Liu, S. -L., Huang, J., Liu, J., Lei, M., Min, J., Li, S., & Liu, G. (2016). Porous Mo2N nanobelts as a new anode material for sodium-ion batteries. Materials Letters, 172, 56-59.
DOI Scopus43 WoS39
2016 Li, H. Z., Yang, L. Y., Liu, J., Li, S. T., Fang, L. B., Lu, Y. K., . . . Lei, M. (2016). Improved electrochemical performance of yolk-shell structured SnO₂@void@C porous nanowires as anode for lithium and sodium batteries. Journal of Power Sources, 324, 780-787.
DOI Scopus106 WoS104

Year Citation
2025 Liu, S., & Guo, Z. (2025). Non-Flammable Batteries: Electrolyte Design for Harsh Temperatures. In Proceedings of the World Congress on New Technologies. Avestia Publishing.
DOI

2024-2027 ARC Early Career Industrial Fellowship 2024 for "All-temperature aqueous zinc ion batteries for stationary energy storage", Principal Investigator

2023-2030 ARC Centre of Excellence for "Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide", Associate Investigator

2020-2024 ARC Discovery Project (DP200101862) for “Low-cost aqueous rechargeable zinc batteries for grid-scale energy storage”, Associate Investigator

2022-2023 AINSE-ECRG (Australian Institute of Nuclear Science - Engineering-Early Career Research Grant), Principal Investigator

2024 ANSTO - Australian Synchrotron Access Program. AS242/XAS/21847, Principal Investigator

2024 ANSTO - Australian Synchrotron Access Program. AS241/IRM/21433, Principal Investigator

2024 ANSTO - Australian Synchrotron Access Program, AS241/MCT/21576, Principal Investigator

2023 ANSTO - Australian Synchrotron Access Program, AS233/IRM/20503, Principal Investigator

2023 ANSTO - Australian Synchrotron Access Program, AS233/MCT/20527, Principal Investigator

2023 ANSTO - Australian Synchrotron Access Program, AS231/IRM/19576, Principal Investigator

2022 ANSTO - Australian Synchrotron Access Program, AS223/IRM/18890, Principal Investigator

Guest lecturer for UoA master course of MAT ENG7110-Fundamental of Materials

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2025 Co-Supervisor Optimizing Zn Anode Behavior in Aqueous Zn-Based Batteries through Electrolyte Composition Adjustment for Improved Battery Performance Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Weifan Wu
2025 Co-Supervisor Advancing High-Performance Development of Solid Ion Conductors with High Ionic Conductivity Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Zihao Wang
2025 Co-Supervisor Architecture and Mechanisms Investigation of Ion Conductive Polymers over Wide-temperature Ranges Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Wangwu Li
2025 Co-Supervisor Machine Learning-Driven Design of High Entropy Alloys for CO2 Reduction Catalysis Using DFT and MD Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Nikhil Kapoor
2025 Co-Supervisor Functional Hydrogels as Solid Electrolytes for Energy Storage Devices Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Haotian Zhu
2025 Principal Supervisor Structural Modulation Strategies of Non-flammable Electrolytes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Baozhen Yang
2025 Principal Supervisor Theoretical Calculation-Assisted Experimental Design for Unveiling Dendrite Inhibition Strategies and Mechanisms in Metal Anodes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Zhenzhen Wang
2024 Principal Supervisor From theory to experiment: design and preparation of efficient Cu-based catalysts for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Yilin Zhang

Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
2024 - ongoing Co-Supervisor Combined theoretical calculation and experiment: Electrolyte design and interphases The University of Adelaide Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Yilin Zhang
2024 - ongoing Principal Supervisor Extending the Electrochemical Stability Windows of Electrolytes for Aqueous Lithium Ion Batteries The University of Adelaide Master Course Master Full Time Zeru Wang
2022 - ongoing Co-Supervisor Electrolyte Design for Wide Temperature Applications The University of Adelaide - Doctorate Full Time Ruizhi Zhang

Date Role Committee Institution Country
2024 - 2024 Secretary International Conference on Advanced Materials for Energy, Environment, and Health 2024 The School of Chemical Engineering Australia

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