Jian Liu

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
PO Box 999
Richland, WA 99352
(509) 372-4477
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Biography

Dr. Jian Liu is currently working as a senior research engineer in the Applied Functional Materials group at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) where he is aiming to develop novel materials and processes for applications in molecules separation and energy storage and conversion. He also has expertise in chemical processes design using process modeling software. Dr. Jian Liu earned his PhD degree in Chemical Engineering from Vanderbilt University in 2011 and his PhD research focused on CO₂ capture from flue gas using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Dr. Liu has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles and he organized the session titled in "Novel materials and processes for air pollution control" in AIChE Annual Meeting.

Research Interests

CO₂ capture, sequestration, and utilization
Gas storage and separation
Materials synthesis and characterization
Metal-organic framework (MOF) membrane
Adsorption process design and analysis
Process modeling and analysis

Education and Credentials

PhD, Chemical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 2011
ME, Chemical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Science, 2006
BE, Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, 2003

Affiliations and Professional Service

Member of American Institute of Chemical Engineering (AIChE)
Committee member of Adsorption and Ion Exchange area in AIChE
Member of American Chemical Society (ACS)
Peer reviewer for Journal of Physical Chemistry (ACS), Journal of Materials Chemistry (RSC), Crystal Growth and Design (ACS), Nano Energy (Elsevier), and RSC Advance (RSC).

Awards and Recognitions

ACS Energy and Fuel Division Glenn Award, 2012
PNNL Outstanding Performance Award, 2011, 2013
AIChE Separation Division Graduate Student Research Award, 2011
Vanderbilt University Graduate School Travel Grant, 2009, 2010.

PNNL Patents

U.S. Patent No. 11,944,982, April 2, 2024, "POLYMER-FUNCTIONALIZED MAGNETIC PARTICLE EMBODIMENTS FOR SOLUTE SEPARATION, AND DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR USING THE SAME (iEdison No. 0685901-19-0018)".
U.S. Patent No. 11,796,508, October 24, 2023, "SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVE SENSOR FOR REFRIGERANT LEAKAGE DETECTION".
U.S. Patent No. 10,179,320, January 15, 2019, "PROCESS FOR MAKING CARBON-BASED NANO-RODS FROM SWITCHABLE IONIC LIQUIDS AND DEVICES AND PROCESSES INCORPORATING SAME".
U.S. Patent No. 9,499,880, November 22, 2016, "SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF MAGNESIUM METAL AND MAGNESIUM HYDRIDE FROM MAGNESIUM-CONTAINING SALTS AND BRINES (iEdison No. 0685901-13-0017)".

PNNL Publications

2023

Deng Z., H. Jung, H. Ouro-Koura, A.L. Salalila, B. Friedman, J. Liu, and A.E. Copping. "Efficient Hydraulic-to-electric Energy Conversion for PCM-based Ocean Thermal Gradient Energy System to Power Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles." In OCEANS 2023 Limerick.
Deng Z., H. Jung, H. Ouro-Koura, A.L. Salalila, B. Friedman, J. Liu, and A.E. Copping. 2023. "Efficient Hydraulic-to-electric Energy Conversion for PCM-based Ocean Thermal Gradient Energy System to Power Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles." In OCEANS 2023, June 5-8, 2023, Limerick, Ireland, 1-4. Piscataway, New Jersey:IEEE. PNNL-SA-183895. doi:10.1109/OCEANSLimerick52467.2023.10244366
Fitria F., F. Adarsh Kumar, M. Dewa, J. Liu, S. Ha, and B. Yang. 2023. "Development of sulfonated carbon-based solid-acid catalysts derived from biorefinery residues and biomass ash for xylan hydrolysis." Bioresource Technology Reports 24. PNNL-SA-190212. doi:10.1016/j.biteb.2023.101607
Fitria F., J. Liu, and B. Yang. 2023. "Roles of Mineral Matter in Biomass Processing to Biofuels." Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining 17, no. 3:696-717. PNNL-SA-180718. doi:10.1002/bbb.2468
Kim M., S.K. Nune, J. Yu, J. Liu, and P.K. Thallapally. 2023. Extending Magnetic Core Shell Nanoparticle Extraction Technology to Cesium and Antimony Removal from Geothermal Brines in New Zealand. PNNL-34393. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Extending Magnetic Core Shell Nanoparticle Extraction Technology to Cesium and Antimony Removal from Geothermal Brines in New Zealand

2022

Jung H., C. Venkata Subban, J. Mctigue, J.J. Martinez, A.E. Copping, J. Osorio, and J. Liu, et al. 2022. "Extracting Energy from Ocean Thermal and Salinity Gradients to Power Unmanned Underwater Vehicles: State of the Art, Current Limitations, and Future Outlook." Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews 160. PNNL-SA-163771. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2022.112283
Liu J., J. Dempsey, S. Li, Y. Jiang, L.J. Snowden-Swan, W.L. Kubic, and E. Tan, et al. 2022. "Methodology for Assessing the Maximum Potential Impact of Separations Opportunities in Industrial Processes." Frontiers in Sustainability 3. PNNL-SA-178090. doi:10.3389/frsus.2022.1056580

2021

Liu J., P.F. Martin, and B.P. McGrail. 2021. "Rare-Earth Element Extraction from Geothermal Brine Using Magnetic Core-Shell Nanoparticles-Techno-Economic Analysis." Geothermics 89. PNNL-SA-140837. doi:10.1016/j.geothermics.2020.101938
Thallapally P.K., J. Liu, H. Li, J. Lu, J.W. Grate, B.P. McGrail, and Z. Deng, et al. 2021. Surface Acoustic Wave Sensors for Refrigerant Leak Detection - CRADA 402 (Final Report). PNNL-32268. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Surface Acoustic Wave Sensors for Refrigerant Leak Detection - CRADA 402 (Final Report)

2020

Church A.L., M.Z. Hu, S. Lee, H. Wang, and J. Liu. 2020. "Selective adsorption removal of carbonyl molecular foulants from real fast pyrolysis bio-oils." Biomass & Bioenergy 136. PNNL-SA-150321. doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2020.105522
Liu J., L.A. Mahoney, M.J. Minette, S.K. Nune, C.K. Clayton, C. Bottenus, and C.J. Freeman, et al. 2020. Overview of 2017 Through 2018 Testing of Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Cartridge Performance on Multiple Hanford Tank Headspaces and Exhausters. PNNL-29416 Rev. 0. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Overview of 2017 Through 2018 Testing of Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Cartridge Performance on Multiple Hanford Tank Headspaces and Exhausters
Liu J., R.J. Cavagnaro, Z. Deng, Y. Shao, L. Kuo, M. Nguyen, and V. Glezakou. 2020. "Renewable Ammonia as An Energy Fuel for Ocean Exploration and Transportation." Marine Technology Society Journal 54, no. 6:126-136. PNNL-SA-154458. doi:10.4031/MTSJ.54.6.12
Nune S.K., C. Bottenus, J. Liu, L.A. Mahoney, C.J. Freeman, and T.M. Brouns. 2020. Analysis of Air-Purifying Respirator (APR) and Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Cartridge Performance Testing on Hanford Tanks BY-108 and BY-110 Volume 1. PNNL-28334 Vol1 Rev0. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Analysis of Air-Purifying Respirator (APR) and Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Cartridge Performance Testing on Hanford Tanks BY-108 and BY-110 Volume 1
Nune S.K., C. Bottenus, J. Liu, L.A. Mahoney, C.J. Freeman, and T.M. Brouns. 2020. Analysis of Air-Purifying Respirator (APR) and Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Cartridge Performance Testing on Hanford Tanks BY-108 and BY-110 Volume 2 Raw Analytical Data. PNNL-28334 Vol2_Rev0. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Analysis of Air-Purifying Respirator (APR) and Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Cartridge Performance Testing on Hanford Tanks BY-108 and BY-110 Volume 2 Raw Analytical Data
Nune S.K., C.K. Clayton, J. Liu, C.J. Freeman, T.M. Brouns, and L.A. Mahoney. 2020. Analysis of Air-Purifying Respirator (APR) and Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Cartridge Performance Testing on a Hanford AX Tank Farm Exhauster Slipstream. PNNL-27860 Vol.1_ Rev 0. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Analysis of Air-Purifying Respirator (APR) and Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Cartridge Performance Testing on a Hanford AX Tank Farm Exhauster Slipstream
Nune S.K., C.K. Clayton, J. Liu, C.J. Freeman, T.M. Brouns, and L.A. Mahoney. 2020. Analysis of Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Cartridge Performance Testing on Hanford Tanks SX-101 and SX-104 Volume 1. PNNL-27558 Vol1 Rev0. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Analysis of Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Cartridge Performance Testing on Hanford Tanks SX-101 and SX-104 Volume 1
Nune S.K., C.K. Clayton, J. Liu, C.J. Freeman, T.M. Brouns, and L.A. Mahoney. 2020. Analysis of Respirator Cartridge Performance Testing on a Hanford AN Tank Farm Exhauster Slipstream. PNNL-26317 Rev 0. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Analysis of Respirator Cartridge Performance Testing on a Hanford AN Tank Farm Exhauster Slipstream
Nune S.K., C.K. Clayton, J. Liu, C.J. Freeman, T.M. Brouns, and L.A. Mahoney. 2020. Analysis of Respirator Cartridge Performance Testing on a Hanford AW Tank Farm Exhauster Slipstream. PNNL-26337 Rev. 0. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Analysis of Respirator Cartridge Performance Testing on a Hanford AW Tank Farm Exhauster Slipstream
Nune S.K., C.K. Clayton, J. Liu, C.J. Freeman, T.M. Brouns, and L.A. Mahoney. 2020. Analysis of Respirator Cartridge Performance Testing on Hanford Tank AX-101. PNNL-26254 Rev. 1. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Analysis of Respirator Cartridge Performance Testing on Hanford Tank AX-101
Nune S.K., C.K. Clayton, J. Liu, C.J. Freeman, T.M. Brouns, and L.A. Mahoney. 2020. Analysis of Respirator Cartridge Performance Testing on the 702-AZ Primary Exhauster for the Hanford AY/AZ Tank Farms during a Waste- Disturbing Event. PNNL-26863 Rev 0. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Analysis of Respirator Cartridge Performance Testing on the 702-AZ Primary Exhauster for the Hanford AY/AZ Tank Farms during a Waste- Disturbing Event
Nune S.K., C.K. Clayton, J. Liu, C.J. Freeman, T.M. Brouns, and L.A. Mahoney. 2020. Analysis of Respirator Cartridge Performance Testing on the 702-AZ Primary Exhauster for the Hanford AY/AZ Tank Farms. PNNL-26243 Rev.1. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Analysis of Respirator Cartridge Performance Testing on the 702-AZ Primary Exhauster for the Hanford AY/AZ Tank Farms
Nune S.K., C.K. Clayton, J. Liu, C.J. Freeman, T.M. Brouns, L.A. Mahoney, and M.J. Minette. 2020. Analysis of Respirator Cartridge Performance Testing on Hanford Tank BY-108. PNNL-26180 Rev1. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Analysis of Respirator Cartridge Performance Testing on Hanford Tank BY-108
Nune S.K., J. Liu, C.J. Freeman, T.M. Brouns, C.K. Clayton, and L.A. Mahoney. 2020. Analysis of Respirator Cartridge Performance Testing on a Hanford AP Tank Farm Primary Exhauster Slipstream. PNNL-25860 Rev.1. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Analysis of Respirator Cartridge Performance Testing on a Hanford AP Tank Farm Primary Exhauster Slipstream
Nune S.K., J. Liu, C.J. Freeman, T.M. Brouns, C.K. Clayton, and L.A. Mahoney. 2020. Analysis of Respirator Cartridge Performance Testing on a Hanford Tank SY-102. PNNL-26041 Rev 1. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Analysis of Respirator Cartridge Performance Testing on a Hanford Tank SY-102
Thallapally P.K., J. Liu, M.A. Sinnwell, and R.K. Motkuri. 2020. "Noble Gas Separation using Metal Organic Frameworks at Low Temperature." In GLOBAL 2019 - International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Conference and TOP FUEL 2019 - Light Water Reactor Fuel Performance Conference, September 22-27, 2019, Seattle, WA. La Grange Park, Illinois:American Nuclear Society. PNNL-SA-146852.
Wu X., J. Jiang, C. Wang, J. Liu, Y. Pu, A.J. Ragauskas, and S. Li, et al. 2020. "Lignin-Derived Electrochemical Energy Materials and Systems." Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining 14, no. 3:650-672. PNNL-SA-144600. doi:10.1002/bbb.2083
Xie X., C. He, B. Li, Y. He, D.A. Cullen, E.C. Wegener, and A. Kropf, et al. 2020. "Performance enhancement and degradation mechanism identification of a single-atom Co-N-C catalyst for proton exchange membrane fuel cells." Nature Catalysis 3, no. 12:1044-1054. PNNL-SA-151274. doi:10.1038/s41929-020-00546-1

2019

Chakraborty D., S. Nandi, M.A. Sinnwell, J. Liu, R. Kushwaha, P.K. Thallapally, and R. Vaidhyanathan. 2019. "Hyper-Cross-linked Porous Organic Frameworks with Ultramicropores for Selective Xenon Capture." ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 11, no. 14:13279-13284. PNNL-SA-140970. doi:10.1021/acsami.9b01619
Cullinan V.I., L.A. Mahoney, T.M. Brouns, S.K. Nune, J.A. Bamberger, C.K. Clayton, and L.F. Pease, et al. 2019. BY-110 Headspace Sampling Comparison Test. PNNL-28801 Vol. 1. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. BY-110 Headspace Sampling Comparison Test
Liu J., H.T. Schaef, P.F. Martin, B.P. McGrail, and L.S. Fifield. 2019. "Understanding H2 Evolution from the Decomposition of Di-butylmagnesium Isomers Using In-situ X-ray Diffraction Coupled with Mass Spectroscopy." ACS Applied Energy Materials 2, no. 7:5272-5278. PNNL-SA-119043. doi:10.1021/acsaem.9b00958

2018

Liu J., J. Zheng, D. Barpaga, S.R. Sabale, B.W. Arey, M.A. Derewinski, and B.P. McGrail, et al. 2018. "A Tunable Bimetallic MOF-74 for Adsorption Chiller Applications." European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry 2018, no. 7:885-889. PNNL-SA-129916. doi:10.1002/ejic.201800042
Liu J., M.D. Bearden, C.A. Fernandez, L.S. Fifield, S.K. Nune, R.K. Motkuri, and P.K. Koech, et al. 2018. "Techno-economic analysis of magnesium extraction from seawater via a catalyzed organo-metathetical process." JOM. The Journal of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society 70, no. 3:431-435. PNNL-SA-119113. doi:10.1007/s11837-017-2735-6

2017

Childers M.I., M.C. Endres, C.A. Burns, B.J. Garcia, J. Liu, T.W. Wietsma, and A.H. Bonneville, et al. 2017. "Novel Highly Dispersible, Thermally Stable Core/Shell Proppants for Geothermal Applications." Geothermics 70. PNNL-SA-121506. doi:10.1016/j.geothermics.2017.05.013

2016

Banerjee D., C.M. Simon, A.M. Plonka, R.K. Motkuri, J. Liu, X. Chen, and B. Smit, et al. 2016. "Metal-Organic Framework with Optimal Adsorption, Separation, and Selectivity towards Xenon." Nature Communications 7. PNNL-SA-116761. doi:10.1038/ncomms11831
Li B., J. Liu, Z. Nie, W. Wang, D.M. Reed, J. Liu, and B.P. McGrail, et al. 2016. "Metal-organic frameworks as highly active electrocatalysts for high-energy density, aqueous zinc-polyiodide redox flow batteries." Nano Letters 16, no. 7:4335-4340. PNNL-SA-116994. doi:10.1021/acs.nanolett.6b01426
Liu J., N.L. Canfield, and W. Liu. 2016. "Preparation and Characterization of a Hydrophobic Metal-Organic Framework Membrane Supported on Thin Porous Metal Sheet." Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research 55, no. 13:3823-3832. PNNL-SA-106001. doi:10.1021/acs.iecr.5b04739
Nandasiri M.I., J. Liu, B.P. McGrail, J.W. Jenks, H.T. Schaef, V. Shutthanandan, and Z. Nie, et al. 2016. "Increased Thermal Conductivity in Metal-Organic Heat Carrier Nanofluids." Scientific Reports 6. PNNL-SA-116018. doi:10.1038/srep27805
Nune S.K., D. Lao, D.J. Heldebrant, J. Liu, M.J. Olszta, R.K. Kukkadapu, and L.M. Gordon, et al. 2016. "Anomalous Water Expulsion from Carbon-Based Rods at High Humidity." Nature Nanotechnology 11, no. 9:791-797. PNNL-SA-112991. doi:10.1038/nnano.2016.91
Zhang W., D. Banerjee, J. Liu, H.T. Schaef, J.V. Crum, C.A. Fernandez, and R.K. Kukkadapu, et al. 2016. "Redox-Active Metal-Organic Composites for Highly Selective Oxygen Separation Applications." Advanced Materials 28, no. 18:3572-3577. PNNL-SA-112948. doi:10.1002/adma.201600259

2015

Banerjee D., A. Cairns, J. Liu, R.K. Motkuri, S.K. Nune, C.A. Fernandez, and R. Krishna, et al. 2015. "Potential of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Separation of Xenon and Krypton." Accounts of Chemical Research 48, no. 2:211-219. PNNL-SA-104995. doi:10.1021/ar5003126
Jeon J., L. Zhang, J. Lutkenhaus, D.D. Laskar, J.P. Lemmon, D. Choi, and M.I. Nandasiri, et al. 2015. "Controlling Porosity in Lignin-Derived Nanoporous Carbon for Supercapacitor Applications." ChemSusChem 8, no. 3:428-432. PNNL-SA-106038. doi:10.1002/cssc.201402621
Motkuri R.K., P.K. Thallapally, H.V. Annapureddy, L.X. Dang, R. Krishna, S.K. Nune, and C.A. Fernandez, et al. 2015. "Separation of polar compounds using a flexible metal-organic framework." Chemical Communications 51, no. 40:8421-8424. PNNL-SA-106787. doi:10.1039/c5cc00113g

2014

Chen L., P.S. Reiss, S.Y. Chong, D. Holden, K.E. Jelfs, T. Hasell, and M.A. Little, et al. 2014. "Separation of rare gases and chiral molecules by selective binding in porous organic cages." Nature Materials 13, no. 10:954-960. PNNL-SA-99518. doi:10.1038/nmat4035
Li B., Y. Zhang, R. Krishna, K. Yao, Y. Han, Z. Wu, and D. Ma, et al. 2014. "Introduction of p-Complexation into Porous Aromatic Framework for Highly Selective Adsorption of Ethylene over Ethane." Journal of the American Chemical Society 136, no. 24:8654-8660. PNNL-SA-100671. doi:10.1021/ja502119z
Liu J., C.A. Fernandez, P.F. Martin, P.K. Thallapally, and D.M. Strachan. 2014. "A Two-Column Method for the Separation of Kr and Xe from Process Off-Gases." Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research 53, no. 32:12893-12899. PNNL-SA-100864. doi:10.1021/ie502156h
Liu J., D.M. Strachan, and P.K. Thallapally. 2014. "Enhanced Noble Gas Adsorption in Ag@MOF-74Ni." Chemical Communications 50, no. 4:466-468. PNNL-SA-99495. doi:10.1039/C3CC47777K
Motkuri R.K., J. Liu, C.A. Fernandez, S.K. Nune, P.K. Thallapally, and B.P. McGrail. 2014. "Metal-Organic Frameworks - Synthesis and Applications." In Industrial Catalysis and Separations: Innovations for Process Intensification, edited by KV Raghavan and BM Reddy. 61-103. Waretown, New Jersey:Apple Academic Press Inc. PNNL-SA-97713.

2013

Tan K., P. Canepa, Q. Gong, J. Liu, D.H. Johnson, A.A. Dyevoich, and P.K. Thallapally, et al. 2013. "Mechanism of Preferential Adsorption of SO2 into Two Microporous Paddle Wheel Frameworks M(bdc)(ted)(0.5)." Chemistry of Materials 25, no. 23:4653-4662. PNNL-SA-93017. doi:10.1021/cm401270b
Tian J., J. Liu, J. Liu, and P.K. Thallapally. 2013. "Identification of solid-state forms of cucurbit[6]uril for carbon dioxide capture." CrystEngComm 15, no. 8:1528-1531. PNNL-SA-92716. doi:10.1039/C3CE27017C
Wang X., J. Liu, J.M. Bonefont, D. Yuan, P.K. Thallapally, and S. Ma. 2013. "A porous covalent porphyrin framework with exceptional uptake capacity of saturated hydrocarbons oil spill cleanup." Chemical Communications 49, no. 15:1533-1535. PNNL-SA-90030. doi:10.1039/c2cc38067f

2012

Fernandez C.A., J. Liu, P.K. Thallapally, and D.M. Strachan. 2012. "Switching Kr/Xe Selectivity with Temperature in a Metal-Organic Framework." Journal of the American Chemical Society 134, no. 22:9046-9049. PNNL-SA-85894. doi:10.1021/ja302071t
Liu J., J. Tian, P.K. Thallapally, and B.P. McGrail. 2012. "Selective CO2 Capture from Flue Gas Using Metal-Organic Frameworks?A Fixed Bed Study." Journal of Physical Chemistry C 116, no. 17:9575 - 9581. PNNL-SA-83603. doi:10.1021/jp300961j
Liu J., P.K. Thallapally, and D.M. Strachan. 2012. "Metal-Organic Frameworks for Removal of Xe and Kr from Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Plants." Langmuir 28, no. 31:11584-11589. PNNL-SA-86305. doi:10.1021/la301870n
Liu J., P.K. Thallapally, B.P. McGrail, D.R. Brown, and J. Liu. 2012. "Progress in Adsorption-Based CO2 Capture by Metal-Organic Frameworks." Chemical Society Reviews 41, no. 6:2308 - 2322. PNNL-SA-81981. doi:10.1039/C1CS15221A