Dr Shangfeng Du

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Shangfeng Du is Senior Lecturer leading research activities in low temperature fuel cells and electrolysers. His research interests lie in electrochemical engineering study of materials, components and devices. Research is also carried on the characterisation of adhesion and aggregation of nanoparticles for health and energy applications.

Research Themes

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs).
Low temperature water electrolysers.
Liquid fuelled fuel cells.
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs).
Zinc-air fuel cells/batteries.

Research activities

Catalyst and electrode design:
- 1D nanostructures from PGM and non-PGM, carbonaceous materials and metal oxides.
- Ionic liquid modification of catalysts and electrodes.
- Electrode structure design, e.g. 3D ordered nanostructure, 1D nanostructure array electrodes.
Electrochemical engineering behaviour:
- Quantification and separation of mass transport resistance within catalyst electrodes.
- Nanoparticle behaviour in electrodes, e.g. adhesion between ionomer, particle aggregation, surface adsorption, etc.
Device and stack building:
- Composite membrane design for low fuel crossover.
- Flow field plate design and surface coating.
- Stack design and building.
Electrochemical sensors:
- Electrochemical fuel cell breathalysers.
- Microbial fuel cell sensors for water and wastewater monitoring.

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Supportive, student-centred, spontaneous.

Provision of Training

I prefer to take responsibility for your technical training at first, leading to more independence later.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I have high expectations and will push you to your full potential.

Communication

The team has a WhatsApp group chat with which we regularly communicate during the week and weekends. Whilst I expect you to keep up with my/ team communications I will expect you to manage your work/life balance.

I am happy to discuss any issues that are impacting your ability to fulfil your potential or my/our expectation.

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting

At least once per week

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once per month

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once per month

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once per month

These meetings will be face to face and I am usually contactable for an instant response 3 or 4 days per week.

Working Pattern

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings), I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 2 week’s notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Current Projects (2025-26)

Primary supervisor for:

Microbial fuel cell-based biosensors for water quality monitoring

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Microbial fuel cell-based biosensors for water quality monitoring

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Yun Fan

University of Registration: University of Birmingham

BBSRC Research Themes: Renewable Resources and Clean Growth (Bio-energy, Industrial Biotechnology)

Project Outline

Accurate and quick detection of toxic compounds and other contaminants and their quantification has posed a serious challenge in the field of environmental and clinical monitoring. Although classical analytical methods with sophisticated instrumentations yield good results in lab environment, their applicability and efficiency in real-time analysis at remote locations are doubtful. As a solution for this, microbial fuel cell (MFC)-based biosensors have gained considerable attention in recent years because of their advantages of on-site testing at remote locations without the need of external power supplies. However, MFC biosensors still encounter several bottlenecks in their practical application and scale-up. Among the main drawbacks, the limitation of electron transfer between microorganism and electrodes is considered as most challenging. It is a key aspect in the improvement of MFC performance. In order for MFC biosensors to be fully realised for wastewater quality monitoring, enhanced electron transfer is urgently required to fabricate biocatalyst electrodes with excellent stability, sensitivity, repeatability and selectivity.

Based on an interdisciplinary collaboration established between the Centre for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research and the School of Biosciences at the University of Birmingham, this PhD project aims to develop highly sensitive and reliable MFC biosensors for toxicity detection in waste water quality monitoring. To achieve this, we will focus on the following three objectives:

To evaluate detection efficiency of potent candidate microbes on toxicants (e.g. formaldehyde and heavy metals). This will be done via analysing microbial growth rate, generation time and high-throughput screening of potent biocatalysts.
To elucidate effects of microbial adhesion properties within MFC electrodes by monitoring biofilm formation on various substrates including graphite felt, stainless steel and Ni metal meshes, and novel 3D ordered substrates from 1D nanostructure arrays recently developed in PI's group. Distribution and adhesion of microbes on substrate surface within the electrodes will be analysed.
To evaluate and establish structure-sensing property relationships of the obtained biocatalyst electrodes in MFCs. The biocatalyst electrodes will be evaluated as both cathodes and anodes in single chamber MFCs, using different measurement techniques to define their sensitivity and reliability.

References

1. J. Chouler, et al. Biosensors and Bioelectronics 2018, 102: 49-56, doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2017.11.018.

2. P. Mardle, et al. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 2020, 260: 118031, doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2019.118031.

Previous Projects (2024-25)

Primary supervisor for:

Microbial fuel cell-based biosensors for high accurate and fast water quality monitoring