Introduction
Kayee began her master's research at SusMatLab in 2020. During both her master's and doctoral studies she initiated projects on the chemical recycling of PET via aminolysis to obtain chemical feedstocks for the synthesis of functional materials. She published about 10 research papers and actively supported the research projects of fellow students. She completed her doctorate in March 2025 and is now a postdoctoral fellow at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Education
Apr. 2022 - Mar. 2025: Dr. Eng. in Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University
Apr. 2020 - Mar. 2022: M. Eng. in Chemical Engineering, Nagoya University
Sep. 2015 - Jul. 2019: B.Sc. in Chemistry, Zhuhai College of Jilin University
Career
2025.08 – present: Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
2023.04 – 2025.03: JSPS Research Fellow (DC2), Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University.
Prizes
2023.05 Nagoya University Outstanding Graduate Student Award.
Selected Publications
K. Chan, F. Miksik, H. Wang, G. Huang, H. Hayashi, Y. Kawajiri, and A. Zinchenko. Direct synthesis of chromium MOF from waste PET bottles and amine modification: from sustainable upcycling to dynamic CO2 capture. Chemical Engineering Journal 2026, 538, 176457.
M. Nakanishi, K. Chan, and A. Zinchenko. Upcycling of waste PET fibers and fabrics via surface engineering: surface aminolysis-assisted functionalization with catalytic nanoparticles. Chemical Engineering Journal 2025, 511, 161839.
K. Chan and A. Zinchenko. Functional upcycling of waste PET plastic to the hybrid magnetic microparticles adsorbent for cesium removal. Chemosphere 2024, 354, 141725.
K. Chan and A. Zinchenko. Design and synthesis of functional materials by chemical recycling of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET): opportunities and challenges. Journal of Cleaner Production 2023, 433, 139828.
K. Chan, M. Kawai, M. Yamake, and A. Zinchenko. Copper ion removal using a waste-plastic-derived hydrogel adsorbent prepared via microwave-assisted PET aminolysis. Gels 2023, 9, 874.
K. Chan and A. Zinchenko. Templating of catalytic gold and silver nanoparticles by waste plastic PET-derived hydrogel playing a dual role of a reductant and a matrix. Waste Management 2023, 164, 20-28.
K. Chan and A. Zinchenko. Conversion of waste bottle PET to magnetic microparticles adsorbent for dye-simulated wastewater treatment. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 2022, 10(3), 108055.
K. Chan and A. Zinchenko. Aminolysis-assisted hydrothermal conversion of waste PET plastic to N-doped carbon dots with markedly enhanced fluorescence. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 2022, 10(3), 107749.
K. Chan, K. Morikawa, N. Shibata, and A. Zinchenko. Adsorptive removal of heavy metal ions, organic dyes, and pharmaceuticals by DNA-chitosan hydrogels. Gels 2021, 7(3), 112.
K. Chan and A. Zinchenko. Conversion of waste bottles' PET to a hydrogel adsorbent via PET aminolysis. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 2021, 9(5), 106129.
Conferences
K. Chan and A. Zinchenko. Design of functional materials from waste PET bottles via chemical recycling. 7th Green and Sustainable Chemistry Conference (2023), oral presentation, Dresden, Germany.
K. Chan and A. Zinchenko. Design of adsorbent materials based on oligomeric products of waste PET bottles decomposition by aminolysis. ACS Fall Meeting: Sustainability in a Changing World (2022), oral presentation, online.
K. Chan and A. Zinchenko. Conversion of PET bottles to hydrogel adsorbents via PET aminolysis. 6th Green and Sustainable Chemistry Conference (2021), oral presentation, online.