Dr. Chen-Zi Zhao is currently an associate professor of Chemical Engineering at Tsinghua University. Her research focuses on materials and devices for solid-state batteries, with an emphasis on addressing interfacial challenges through the design of in situ polymerized electrolytes, composite lithium metal anodes, and Li-rich Mn-based cathodes to enable high-energy-density and high-safety energy storage. Her work has been published in high-impact journals including Nature, Science Advances, PNAS, and JACS, accumulating over 25,000 citations. Dr. Zhao has been named a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate for four consecutive years.

2011–2015 B.Eng, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University

2015–2020 Ph.D, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University

2019 Visiting Scholar, The Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University

2020–2022 Postdoctoral Researcher, School of Vehicle and Mobility, Tsinghua University

2023–2025 Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University

2025–present Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University

Dr. Zhao's research is dedicated to investigating the structure, dynamics, and transport phenomena occurring at electrochemical solid–solid interfaces within solid-state lithium batteries. Her interests span from fundamental inquiries into the movement and reactions of lithium ions near solid electrolyte interfaces, to applied research targeting the development of energy storage devices with high energy density and high safety. Key to her approach is the integration of 3D scaffolds and engineered interface layers to create composite lithium metal anodes, alongside advancing lithium-rich manganese oxide cathodes and their compatible solid-state electrolytes for solid-state lithium batteries.

1. Huang X.-Y., Zhao C.-Z.*, Kong W.-J., et al. Tailoring polymer electrolyte solvation for 600 Wh kg⁻1 lithium batteries. Nature, 2025, 646, 343–350.

2. Sun S., Zhao C.-Z.*, Yuan H., Fu Z.-H., et al. Eliminating interfacial O-involving degradation in Li-rich Mn-based cathodes for all-solid-state lithium batteries. Science Advances, 2022, 8, eadd5189.

3. Kong W.-J., Zhao C.-Z.*, Shen L., et al. Bulk/Interfacial structure design of Li-rich Mn-based cathodes for all-solid-state lithium batteries. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2024, 146, 28190–28200.

4. Wang Z.-Y., Zhao C.-Z.*, Yao N., et al. The regulation of solid electrolyte interphase on composite lithium anodes in solid-state batteries. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2024, 64, e202414524.

5. Wang Z.-X., Lu Y., Zhao C.-Z.*, et al. Suppressing Li voids in all-solid-state lithium metal batteries through Li diffusion regulation. Joule, 2024, 8, 2794–2810.

6. Sun S., Zhao C.-Z.*, Liu G.-Y., et al. Boosting anionic redox reactions of Li-rich cathodes through lattice oxygen and Li-ion kinetics modulation in working all-solid-state batteries. Advanced Materials, 2024, 37, 2414195.

7. Xue Z.-Q., Zhao C.-Z.*, Chen Y.-P., et al. Nitrogen-rich solvation structures enable long-cycle sodium metal batteries. Advanced Materials, 2025, 38, e17094.

8. Xu P., Gao Y.-C., Huang Y.-X., et al. Solvation regulation reinforces anion-derived inorganic-rich interphase for high-performance quasi-solid-state Li metal batteries. Advanced Materials, 2024, 36, 2409489.

9. Kong W.-J., Zhao C.-Z.*, Sun S., et al. From liquid to solid-state batteries: Li-rich Mn-based layered oxides as emerging cathodes with high energy density. Advanced Materials, 2023, 36, 2310738.

10. Liang B., Huang X.-Y., Tan S., et al. Discontinuous coordination boosting ion transport in solid polymer electrolytes. Energy & Environmental Science, 2026, DOI: 10.1039/D5EE05901A.