Professor Yongfang Li stands as a preeminent figure in the field of polymer chemistry and photovoltaic materials research. He currently serves as a distinguished professor at the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ICCAS) and holds a concurrent professorship at Soochow University. Li received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Fudan University in 1986 and subsequently completed postdoctoral research at ICCAS from 1986 to 1988. His academic career at ICCAS began in 1988, and he was promoted to full professor in 1993, establishing his leadership in China's scientific community. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to science, he was elected as a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2013, cementing his status as one of China's foremost scientific authorities.
Professor Li's pioneering research in photovoltaic materials has fundamentally advanced the development of next-generation solar cell technologies, particularly in organic and perovskite solar cells. His extensive publication record of over 900 research papers has garnered more than 83,000 citations, reflecting the profound impact of his work across the global scientific community. His investigations into optoelectronic functional polymers and the electrochemistry of conducting polymers have established critical foundations for improving solar energy conversion efficiency and device stability. The remarkable H-index of 144 underscores his position as a highly influential researcher whose contributions have shaped the trajectory of materials science for renewable energy applications, making him a global leader in organic solar cell research.
Beyond his research accomplishments, Professor Li has cultivated extensive international collaborations, having conducted visiting research at the Institute for Molecular Science in Okazaki, Japan and the University of California at Santa Barbara. His laboratory at ICCAS serves as a major hub for photovoltaic materials research, training numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who have gone on to make significant contributions in academia and industry. Professor Li continues to lead cutting-edge research in solar cell technology, with recent work focusing on enhancing the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells for commercial applications. His ongoing participation in major international conferences demonstrates his active engagement in shaping the future direction of renewable energy research as the scientific community intensifies efforts to address global energy challenges.
