Published on 28/07/202528/07/2025 by Research Awards Assoc Prof Dr. Pibo Liu | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award Assoc Prof Dr. Pibo Liu, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pibo Liu, from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, is a distinguished polymer chemist known for his pioneering work in precision polymerization. With a Ph.D. in Polymer Science and postdoctoral training at KAUST, he has advanced the field through the development of novel catalysts and functional materials. His research on rare-earth and Lewis acid catalysts has led to significant innovations in elastomer and fluorosilicone synthesis. With 38 SCI-indexed publications, 11 patents (4 granted), and active international collaborations, Dr. Liu’s contributions continue to shape the future of high-performance polymer materials. Author Profile Scopus Education Dr. Pibo Liu began his academic journey with a strong foundation in polymer science, earning his Ph.D. from Dalian University of Technology, one of China’s most reputable institutions for materials and chemical engineering. During his formative years, he demonstrated a keen interest in macromolecular chemistry and polymer architecture, distinguishing himself through a meticulous approach to scientific inquiry. His doctoral research laid the groundwork for a career dedicated to precision polymerization techniques, emphasizing innovation, scalability, and structural control. Building upon this robust academic background, Dr. Liu pursued a postdoctoral fellowship at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. Under the mentorship of renowned polymer scientist Professor Nikos Hadjichristidis, he honed his expertise in advanced polymer synthesis methodologies. This international exposure deepened his scientific perspective, provided access to world-class research facilities, and helped establish his identity in the global polymer research community. Experience Dr. Liu currently serves as an Associate Professor at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he leads several cutting-edge research projects. His professional trajectory reflects a harmonious blend of academic excellence and applied innovation. At DICP, Dr. Liu heads two major projects: one funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Youth Program) and another under the Youth Innovation Program of the institute. He has successfully completed three industry projects and is presently engaged in an ongoing corporate partnership, demonstrating his ability to translate academic research into practical industrial solutions. His contributions to academia and industry exemplify a dual commitment to theoretical advancements and technological applicability. Research Focus Dr. Liu’s research focuses on the design and development of novel polymerization techniques aimed at producing high-performance, specialty elastomer materials. He has made significant breakthroughs in catalytic polymer chemistry, particularly in the following areas: ⚙️ Rare-earth catalysts: Developed for controlling monomer sequences in cold-resistant and di-end-functionalized rubbers. 🌀 Anionic ring-opening polymerization: Devised for creating advanced fluorosilicone rubbers with improved thermal and chemical resistance. 🧲 Lewis acid catalysts: Enabled the selective ylide polymerization of complex structures like C3 polymers. His work addresses longstanding challenges in structural control, functionality, and performance of elastomeric materials, offering viable solutions for industries ranging from aerospace to biomedical engineering. These contributions are not only academically valuable but also open pathways for commercial-scale polymer manufacturing. Award and Recognition Though early in his career, Dr. Liu’s work has already earned significant recognition. He has: Published 38 peer-reviewed articles in top-tier journals such as Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Macromolecules, ACS Macro Letters, and Polymer Chemistry. Achieved an H-index of 16 with over 569 citations according to Web of Science. Filed 11 patents, out of which 4 have been granted, showcasing the patentable quality and industrial relevance of his work. Publications 📘 Construction of PDMS-crosslinked tread composites that feature high energy-saving and anti-thermal oxidative performances – Composites Part A Applied Science and Manufacturing (2025) – Cited by 1 article. 📘 Aluminum-Mediated Polymerization of Allylic Ylides toward α,ω-Functionalized C3 Polymers with Enhanced Nontraditional Intrinsic Luminescence – Macromolecules (2024) – Cited by 1 article. 📘 Synthesis of α,ω-End Functionalized Polydienes: Allylic-Bearing Heteroleptic Aluminums for Selective Alkylation and Transalkylation in Coordinative Chain Transfer Polymerization – Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2024) – Cited by 4 articles. Pibo Liu | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award | 13553
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pibo Liu, from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, is a distinguished polymer chemist known for his pioneering work in precision polymerization. With a Ph.D. in Polymer Science and postdoctoral training at KAUST, he has advanced the field through the development of novel catalysts and functional materials. His research on rare-earth and Lewis acid catalysts has led to significant innovations in elastomer and fluorosilicone synthesis. With 38 SCI-indexed publications, 11 patents (4 granted), and active international collaborations, Dr. Liu’s contributions continue to shape the future of high-performance polymer materials. Author Profile Scopus Education Dr. Pibo Liu began his academic journey with a strong foundation in polymer science, earning his Ph.D. from Dalian University of Technology, one of China’s most reputable institutions for materials and chemical engineering. During his formative years, he demonstrated a keen interest in macromolecular chemistry and polymer architecture, distinguishing himself through a meticulous approach to scientific inquiry. His doctoral research laid the groundwork for a career dedicated to precision polymerization techniques, emphasizing innovation, scalability, and structural control. Building upon this robust academic background, Dr. Liu pursued a postdoctoral fellowship at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. Under the mentorship of renowned polymer scientist Professor Nikos Hadjichristidis, he honed his expertise in advanced polymer synthesis methodologies. This international exposure deepened his scientific perspective, provided access to world-class research facilities, and helped establish his identity in the global polymer research community. Experience Dr. Liu currently serves as an Associate Professor at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he leads several cutting-edge research projects. His professional trajectory reflects a harmonious blend of academic excellence and applied innovation. At DICP, Dr. Liu heads two major projects: one funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Youth Program) and another under the Youth Innovation Program of the institute. He has successfully completed three industry projects and is presently engaged in an ongoing corporate partnership, demonstrating his ability to translate academic research into practical industrial solutions. His contributions to academia and industry exemplify a dual commitment to theoretical advancements and technological applicability. Research Focus Dr. Liu’s research focuses on the design and development of novel polymerization techniques aimed at producing high-performance, specialty elastomer materials. He has made significant breakthroughs in catalytic polymer chemistry, particularly in the following areas: ⚙️ Rare-earth catalysts: Developed for controlling monomer sequences in cold-resistant and di-end-functionalized rubbers. 🌀 Anionic ring-opening polymerization: Devised for creating advanced fluorosilicone rubbers with improved thermal and chemical resistance. 🧲 Lewis acid catalysts: Enabled the selective ylide polymerization of complex structures like C3 polymers. His work addresses longstanding challenges in structural control, functionality, and performance of elastomeric materials, offering viable solutions for industries ranging from aerospace to biomedical engineering. These contributions are not only academically valuable but also open pathways for commercial-scale polymer manufacturing. Award and Recognition Though early in his career, Dr. Liu’s work has already earned significant recognition. He has: Published 38 peer-reviewed articles in top-tier journals such as Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Macromolecules, ACS Macro Letters, and Polymer Chemistry. Achieved an H-index of 16 with over 569 citations according to Web of Science. Filed 11 patents, out of which 4 have been granted, showcasing the patentable quality and industrial relevance of his work. Publications 📘 Construction of PDMS-crosslinked tread composites that feature high energy-saving and anti-thermal oxidative performances – Composites Part A Applied Science and Manufacturing (2025) – Cited by 1 article. 📘 Aluminum-Mediated Polymerization of Allylic Ylides toward α,ω-Functionalized C3 Polymers with Enhanced Nontraditional Intrinsic Luminescence – Macromolecules (2024) – Cited by 1 article. 📘 Synthesis of α,ω-End Functionalized Polydienes: Allylic-Bearing Heteroleptic Aluminums for Selective Alkylation and Transalkylation in Coordinative Chain Transfer Polymerization – Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2024) – Cited by 4 articles.