The University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) announced the winners of the Excellent Doctoral Dissertation 2017 and Excellent Tutor 2016 on September 22. The thesis written by Zhang , a Ph.D graduate of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), was awarded the CAS Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Award 2017 and Prof. FANG Zhen, Zhang Fan’s supervisor, won the title of CAS Excellent Graduate Tutor 2016.

Zhang Fan’s doctoral dissertation was entitled “Preparation of Carbon based Magnetic Catalysts for Green Synthesis of Biodiesel”.

Biodiesel is carbon-neutral, clean and renewable fuel that could be used for internal-combustion engine directly. It is expected to become one of the best alternatives to fossil diesel oil. However, how to reduce the energy consumption in catalyst separation, recycle catalyst, reduce emissions of wastes, convert by-product glycerol to added products, and increase product yields is crucial for biodiesel industry. Zhang Fan’s work focuses on the study of green production of biodiesel concerning these issues. The catalysts and process combined with reactors proved their potential application in industry for the green production of biodiesel and hydrogen.

During his doctoral studies, Zhang Fan has published his research in such journals as Green Chemistry, Applied Energy, Energy Conversion and Management, etc. He also got 6 patents.

The award of CAS Excellent Doctoral Dissertation firstly started in 2004. Its rigorous selection procedures require that the paper’s research achievement is in high level in innovation and other qualities, which is an important indicator to measure the cultivation abilities of the graduate cultivation units of CAS.

Up to now, five XTBG doctors have won the award. They are Tan Zhenghong (2012), Hu Yanru (2014), Jiang Yanjuan (2015), Chen Yajun (2016), and Zhang Fan (2017).

Zhang Fan