University Scholarship
Publications and Grants

Yong Yan

yyan2@sdsu.eduorcid.org/0000-0001-6361-0541

Appointments

I am a chemical researcher focusing on catalysis. My research spans the fields of Inorganic, Organic and Materials Chemistry, with a primary focus on photocatalytic materials design and application.

  • Professor, 2024-Present
    Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, US
  • Associate professor, 2021-2024
    Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, US
  • Assistant Professor, 2018-2021
    San Diego State University, San Diego, California, US
  • Assistant Professor, 2016-2018
    Chemistry, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, US
  • Postdoc, 2014-2016
    Materials and Chemistry, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, US

  • Postdoc, 2012-2014
    Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, US

  • PhD, 2008-2012
    Chemistry, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, US

Profile updated October 30, 2026.

Scholarship

Academic Publications

Leveraging Chirality-Induced Spin Selectivity to Enhance the Production of Reactive Oxygen Species
Fan He; Tytan Le Nguyen; James R. Wilkes; Jier Huang; Xingxing Wang; Chuanxiao Xiao; Yong Yan; Jing Gu
ACS Applied Energy Materials, 2026, journal article
Chemistry Chirality Quantum theory
Exceptionally Fast Heterogeneous Catalysis Using Perovskite Nanocrystals for Hydrocarbon Aromatization
Melad Shaikh; Nhu Dang; Jericho Reyes; Yong Yan
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2026, journal article
Cited by 2
Chemistry, Organic Heterogeneous catalysis Materials science Nanotechnology
Leveraging chiral induced spin selectivity to improve the efficiency and selectivity of electrocatalytic reduction
Tytan Le Nguyen; Fan He; Yong Yan; Jing Gu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2026, journal article
Catalysis Chemistry Electrochemistry Enantioselective catalysis
Spin‐Polarized Interfaces Redirect CO2 Reduction From CO to Formate
Fan He; Xingxu Yan; Xiaoqing Pan; Yong Yan; Jing Gu
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2026, journal article Cited by 1
Carbon dioxide Catalysis Electrochemistry Renewable energy
Halide Perovskite Induces Halogen/Hydrogen Atom Transfer (XAT/HAT) for Allylic C−H Amination
Melad Shaikh; Kevin Rubalcaba; Yong Yan
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2025, journal article Cited by 19
Catalysis Chemistry, Organic Materials science Physical organic chemistry

Merging of Two Photoredox Cycles with One Perovskite Catalyst Achieving Dual Functionalization: N-Heterocyclization and Site-Selective Bromination of N-Arylamines
Kanchan Mishra; Isaac Hendrix; Jesse Gerardo; Nobuyuki Yamamoto; Yong Yan
The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2025, journal article Cited by 8
Amines Bromination Catalysts Perovskite materials
Ni-Doped Perovskite for Photocatalytic Benzylic C–H Amination
Nhu Dang; Jovan San Martin; Melad Shaikh; Yong Yan
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2025, journal article
Cited by 18
Catalysis Chemistry, Organic Perovskite materials Photocatalysis
Highly enantioselective synthesis controlled by spin-exchange interaction
Yong Yan; Melad Shaikh; Matthew C. Beard; Isaac Hendrix; Jing Gu
Science Advances, 2025, journal article
Cited by 11
Asymmetric synthesis Chemical reactions Chemistry, Organic Stereochemistry
Spin-Polarized Oxygen Evolution Reaction Enabled by Chiral Molecules Coupled with Ferromagnetic Electrocatalysts
Fan He; Eleanor Gillette; Xingxing Wang; Aila Huxford; Chuanxiao Xiao; Yong Yan; Matthew C. Beard; Jing Gu
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2025, journal article Cited by 11
Catalysis Chirality Ferromagnetism Magnetism
CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystals for Photocatalytic [3+2] Cycloaddition
Yixiong Lin; Yong Yan
Chemsuschem, 2024, journal article
Cited by 21
Inorganic compounds Nanotechnology Perovskite materials Photocatalysis
Chiral Perovskite Nanocrystals for Asymmetric Reactions: A Highly Enantioselective Strategy for Photocatalytic Synthesis of N–C Axially Chiral Heterocycles
Kanchan Mishra; Dylana Guyon; Jovan San Martin; Yong Yan
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2023, journal article
Cited by 50
Heterocyclic compounds Nanocrystals Perovskite materials Photocatalysis
Perovskite Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction or Photoredox Organic Transformation?
Jovan San Martin; Nhu Dang; Emily Raulerson; Matthew C. Beard; Joseph Hartenberger; Yong Yan
Angewandte Chemie, 2022, journal article Cited by 8
Catalysis Chemistry, Organic Perovskite materials Photocatalysis
Triplet Energy Transfer from Lead Halide Perovskite for Highly Selective Photocatalytic 2 + 2 Cycloaddition
Yixiong Lin; Mariana Avvacumova; Ruilin Zhao; Xihan Chen; Matthew C. Beard; Yong Yan
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2022, journal article Cited by 41
Catalysis Chemistry, Organic Hybrid perovskites Photocatalysis
A Nanocrystal Catalyst Incorporating a Surface Bound Transition Metal to Induce Photocatalytic Sequential Electron Transfer Events
Yong Yan
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2021, journal article
Cited by 84
Catalysts Nanocrystals Photocatalysis Transition metals
State of the Art and Prospects for Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals
Yong Yan
ACS Nano, 2021, journal article
Cited by 1483
Materials science Nanocrystals Photonics Semiconductor nanocrystals
Surface State Passivation Ignited Photoelectrochemical Sensing of Thallium(I) with Ultrathin In2S3 Nanosheets
Yong Yan
ACS Applied Electronic Materials, 2021, journal article
Cited by 5
Chemical detectors Electrochemistry Nanotechnology Semiconductor Equipment and Materials Institute
High‐Resolution In‐Situ Synchrotron X‐Ray Studies of Inorganic Perovskite CsPbBr 3 : New Symmetry Assignments and Structural Phase Transitions
Yong Yan
Advanced Science, 2021, journal article
Cited by 32
Materials science Phase transformations (Statistical physics) Synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction imaging
Ultrafast Reaction Mechanisms in Perovskite Based Photocatalytic C–C Coupling
Kang Wang; Haipeng Lu; Xiaolin Zhu; Yixiong Lin; Matthew C. Beard; Yong Yan; et al.
ACS Energy Letters, 2020, journal article
Cited by 94
Organic reaction mechanisms Perovskite materials Photocatalysis Reaction mechanisms (Chemistry)
Peak Force Infrared–Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy
Devon S. Jakob; Haomin Wang; Guanghong Zeng; Daniel E. Otzen; Yong Yan; Xiaoji G. Xu
Angewandte Chemie, 2020, journal article Cited by 14
Atomic force microscopy Infrared spectroscopy Materials science Scanning probe microscopy
Photoredox Organic Synthesis Employing Heterogeneous Photocatalysts with Emphasis on Halide Perovskite
Yixiong Lin; Jun Guo; Jovan San Martin; Chuang Han; Ramon Martinez; Yong Yan
Chemistry – a European Journal, 2020, journal article Cited by 73
Chemistry, Organic Heterogeneous catalysis Materials science Photocatalysis
Recent Progress in Engineering Metal Halide Perovskites for Efficient Visible‐Light‐Driven Photocatalysis
Chuang Han; Xiaolin Zhu; Jovan San Martin; Yixiong Lin; Sydney Spears; Yong Yan
Chemsuschem, 2020, journal article
Cited by 135
Materials science Perovskite materials Photocatalysis
Frontispiece: Photoredox Organic Synthesis Employing Heterogeneous Photocatalysts with Emphasis on Halide Perovskite
Yixiong Lin; Jun Guo; Jovan San Martin; Chuang Han; Ramon Martinez; Yong Yan
Chemistry – a European Journal, 2020, journal article
Chemistry, Organic Heterogeneous catalysis Materials science Photocatalysis
Enhanced photoredox activity of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals by quantitative colloidal ligand exchange
Haipeng Lu; Xiaolin Zhu; Collin Miller; Jovan San Martin; Xihan Chen; Elisa M. Miller; Yong Yan; et al.
The Journal of Chemical Physics, 2019, journal article Cited by 68
Chemistry Materials science Nanocrystals Perovskite materials
Lead halide perovskites for photocatalytic organic synthesis
Xiaolin Zhu; Yixiong Lin; Jovan San Martin; Yue Sun; Dian Zhu; Yong Yan
Nature Communications, 2019, journal article
Cited by 455
Chemistry, Organic Materials science Perovskite materials Photocatalysis
Lead-Halide Perovskites for Photocatalytic α-Alkylation of Aldehydes
Xiaolin Zhu; Yixiong Lin; Yue Sun; Matthew C. Beard; Yong Yan
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2019, journal article
Cited by 363
Chemistry, Organic Halides Perovskite materials Photocatalysis
Plasmon-Enhanced Layered Double Hydroxide Composite BiVO4 Photoanodes: Layering-Dependent Modulation of the Water-Oxidation Reaction
Wang, Ruirui; Luo, Lan; Zhu, Xiaolin; Yong Yan; et al.
ACS Applied Energy Materials, 2018, journal article
Cited by 56
Catalysis Layered double hydroxides Nanocomposites (Materials) Plasmons (Physics)
Space-Confined Earth-Abundant Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for High-Efficiency Water Splitting
Tang, Yanqun; Fang, Xiaoyu; Zhang, Xin; Fernandes, Gina; Yong Yan; et al.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2017, journal article Cited by 130
Catalysis Chemistry Electrochemistry Renewable energy sources
Top and bottom surfaces limit carrier lifetime in lead iodide perovskite films
Yang, Ye; Yang, Mengjin; Moore, David T.; Yong Yan; et al.
Nature Energy, 2017, journal article
Cited by 520
Methylammonium lead iodide Perovskite materials Semiconductors Thin films
Large Thermal Motion in Halide Perovskites
Tyson, T. A.; Gao, W.; Chen, Y. -S.; Ghose, S.; Yong Yan
Scientific Reports, 2017, journal article
Cited by 31
Crystallography Materials science Perovskite solar cells Solid state physics
Multiple exciton generation for photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution reactions with quantum yields exceeding 100%
Yong Yan; Crisp, Ryan W.; Jing Gu; et al.
Nature Energy, 2017, journal article
Cited by 214
Hydrogen evolution reaction Nanotechnology Photoelectrochemistry Solar energy
Nanoscale simultaneous chemical and mechanical imaging via peak force infrared microscopy
Wang, Le; Wang, Haomin; Wagner, Martin; Yong Yan; Jakob, Devon S.; Xu, Xiaoji G.
Science Advances, 2017, journal article
Cited by 152
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy Magnetic force microscopy Microscopy Nanostructures
A graded catalytic-protective layer for an efficient and stable water-splitting photocathode
Jing Gu; Aguiar, Jeffery A.; Ferrere, Suzanne; Steirer, K. Xerxes; Yong Yan; et al.
Nature Energy, 2017, journal article
Cited by 159
Electrochemistry Energy conversion Photocatalysis Protective coatings
Assembly of g-C3N4-based type II and Z-scheme heterojunction anodes with improved charge separation for photoelectrojunction water oxidation
Wang, Cai-He; Qin, Dong-Dong; Shan, Duo-Liang; Jing Gu; Yong Yan; et al.
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2017, journal article
Cited by 82
Anodes Carbon nitride Catalysis Heterojunctions
Fe2PO5-Encapsulated Reverse Energetic ZnO/Fe2O3 Heterojunction Nanowire for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Oxidation of Water
Dong‐Dong Qin; Qin, Dong-Dong; Cai‐Hua He; He, Cai-Hua; Li, Yang; Yang Li; Antonio C. Trammel; Trammel, Antonio C.; Jing Gu; Chen, Jing; Jing Chen; Yong Yan; et al.
Chemsuschem, 2017, journal article
Cited by 28
Heterojunctions Nanotechnology Nanowires Zinc oxide
Exfoliated 2D Transition Metal Disulfides for Enhanced Electrocatalysis of Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Acidic Medium
Wu, Jingjie; Liu, Mingjie; Chatterjee, Kuntal; Hackenberg, Ken P.; Shen, Jianfeng; Zou, Xiaolong; Yong Yan; Jing Gu; et al.
Advanced Materials Interfaces, 2016, journal article
Cited by 176
Chemistry, Inorganic Electrocatalysis Electrochemistry Materials science
Water reduction by a p-GaInP2 photoelectrode stabilized by an amorphous TiO2 coating and a molecular cobalt catalyst
Jing Gu; Yong Yan; Young, James L.; Steirer, K. Xerxes; Neale, Nathan R.; Turner, John A.
Nature Materials, 2016, journal article
Cited by 262
Catalysis Electrochemistry Nanotechnology Semiconductors
Unprecedented spin localisation in a metal-metal bonded dirhenium complex
Yong Yan; Mague, Joel T.; Donahue, James P.; Sproules, Stephen
Chemical Communications, 2015, journal article
Cited by 9
Inorganic compounds Metal-metal bonds Rhenium Transition metals
Low surface recombination velocity in solution-grown CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite single crystal
Yang, Ye; Yong Yan; et al.
Nature Communications, 2015, journal article
Cited by 519
Crystal growth Materials science Perovskite materials Semiconductors
Production and catalytic transformation of levulinic acid: A platform for speciality chemicals and fuels
Yan, Kai; Jarvis, Cody; Jing Gu; Yong Yan
Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2015, journal article Cited by 366
Biomass conversion Catalysis Fuel Green chemistry
Structure-Function Relationships for Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation by Molecular [Mn12O12] Clusters
Yong Yan; Lee, John S.; Ruddy, Daniel A.
Inorganic Chemistry, 2015, journal article
Cited by 31
Catalysis Electrocatalysis Electrochemistry Manganese compounds
The influence of ligand localized excited states on the photophysics of second row and third row transition metal terpyridyl complexes: Recent examples and a case study
Jing Gu; Yong Yan; Helbig, Brian J.; Huang, Zhuangqun; Lian, Tianquan; Schmehl, Russell H.
Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 2015, journal article
Cited by 39
Ligand field theory Ligands Transition metals
A Special Issue on Clean Conversion and Utilization of Energy: Green Processes and Nanotechnology
Xiang, Xu; Ding, Yong; Yan, Dongpeng; Yong Yan; Huang, Zhuangqun
Energy and Environment Focus, 2015, journal article
Environmental engineering Nanotechnology Renewable energy sources
Electronic Structure and Optical Properties of alpha-CH3NH3PbBr3 Perovskite Single Crystal
Park, Ji-Sang; Choi, Sukgeun; Yong Yan; et al.
Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 2015, journal article
Cited by 148
Crystals Electronic structure Lead compounds Solid state physics
Isotopic Probe Illuminates the Role of the Electrode Surface in Proton Coupled Hydride Transfer Electrochemical Reduction of Pyridinium on Pt(111)
Zeitler, Elizabeth L.; Ertem, Mehmed Z.; Pander, James E., III; Yong Yan; Batista, Victor S.; Bocarsly, Andrew B.
Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 2015, journal article
Cited by 14
Catalysis Electrochemistry Pyridinium compounds
Light-Driven Heterogeneous Reduction of Carbon Dioxide: Photocatalysts and Photoelectrodes
White, James L.; Baruch, Maor F.; Pander, James E., III; Hu, Yuan; Fortmeyer, Ivy C.; Park, James Eujin; Zhang, Tao; Liao, Kuo; Jing Gu; Yong Yan; et al.
Chemical Reviews, 2015, journal article
Cited by 1677
Carbon dioxide Catalysis Electrochemistry Heterogeneous catalysis
Element Misidentification in X-ray Crystallography: A Reassessment of the [MCl2(diazadiene)] (M = Cr, Mo, W) Series
Greene, Angelique F.; Chandrasekaran, P.; Yong Yan; Mague, Joel T.; Donahue, James P.
Inorganic Chemistry, 2014, journal article
Cited by 10
Chromium Molybdenum Transition metal complexes X-ray crystallography
Hydrogen Bonded Pyridine Dimer: A Possible Intermediate in the Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol
Yong Yan; Jing Gu; Bocarsly, Andrew B.
Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 2014, journal article
Cited by 27
Carbon dioxide Catalysis Greenhouse gases Methanol
p-Type CuRhO2 as a Self-Healing Photoelectrode for Water Reduction under Visible Light
Jing Gu; Yong Yan; et al.
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2014, journal article
Cited by 147
Electrochemistry Materials science Self-healing materials
Ancillary Ligand Effects upon Dithiolene Redox Noninnocence in Tungsten Bis(dithiolene) Complexes
Yong Yan; et al.
Inorganic Chemistry, 2013, journal article
Cited by 25
Chemistry, Inorganic Organometallic chemistry Tungsten
Electrochemistry of Aqueous Pyridinium: Exploration of a Key Aspect of Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to Methanol
Yong Yan; Zeitler, Elizabeth L.; Jing Gu; Hu, Yuan; Bocarsly, Andrew B.
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2013, journal article
Cited by 167
Electrocatalysis Electrochemistry Organic compounds Pyridinium compounds
Redox-Controlled Interconversion between Trigonal Prismatic and Octahedral Geometries in a Monodithiolene Tetracarbonyl Complex of Tungsten
Yong Yan; Chandrasekaran, Perumalreddy; Mague, Joel T.; DeBeer, Serena; Sproules, Stephen; Donahue, James P.
Inorganic Chemistry, 2012, journal article
Cited by 26
Coordination compounds Metal carbonyls Transition metal complexes Tungsten
Monoanionic Molybdenum and Tungsten Tris(dithiolene) Complexes: A Multifrequency EPR Study
Sproules, Stephen; Banerjee, Priyabrata; Weyhermueller, Thomas; Yong Yan; Donahue, James P.; Wieghardt, Karl
Inorganic Chemistry, 2011, journal article
Cited by 63
Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy Molybdenum compounds Transition metal compounds Tungsten
Evaluation of redox-responsive disulfide cross-linked poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogels
Ejaz, Muhammad; Yu, Haini; Yong Yan; Blake, Diane A.; Ayyala, Ramesh S.; Grayson, Scott M.
Polymer, 2011, journal article
Cited by 28
Biomedical materials Materials science Polymer chemistry Polymers
Computational Studies on Response and Binding Selectivity of Fluorescence Sensors
Hudson, George A.; Cheng, Lei; Yu, Jiamei; Yong Yan; et al.
Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2010, journal article
Cited by 52
Chemical detectors Chemistry Computational chemistry Molecular biology
A new synthetic route of disulfide containing aniline compounds
Deng, SR; Hu, GQ; Yong Yan; et al.
Chinese Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2005, journal article
Chemistry Chemistry, Organic Organic solid state chemistry