Pow Seng Yap Ph.D., FHEA

Associate Professor

Dr. Pow-Seng Yap is currently an Associate Professor in Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. He graduated with BEng (1st Class Hons) (Environmental Engineering) from the University of Malaya (UM) as the top student. He obtained his MSc (Environmental Science and Engineering) (Singapore Stanford Partnership Programme) from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. He received his PhD (Environmental Engineering) degree from NTU. His PhD research has resulted in both Singapore and European patents granted. He has received scholarships for all his bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees studies. He also has working experience in both industry and R&D. He has taught undergraduate and postgraduate students from more than 40 countries, in the fields of environmental engineering, chemical engineering, and civil engineering. At undergraduate level, he has taught more than 20 modules. At postgraduate level, he has taught more than 5 modules. He has won several local and international awards. He has published various journal articles and presented his research work in international conferences. He is an active reviewer for several journals in environmental engineering and chemical engineering. His areas of research interests are advanced oxidation processes, adsorption processes, membrane separation processes, nanotechnology, environmental catalysis, renewable and sustainable energy and clean technology. Some of his publications are recognised in Web of Science as Highly Cited Paper (Top 1%) and Hot Paper (Top 0.1%).


  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, 2020
  • Ph.D., Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore - 2012
  • M.Sc., Environmental Science & Engineering (Singapore Stanford Partnership Programme), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore (with additional graduate certificate jointly conferred by NTU and Stanford University) - 2007
  • B.Eng. (First Class Honours), Environmental Engineering, University of Malaya (UM), Malaysia - 2005


  • Associate Professor - XJTLU- September 2022 - Present
  • Assistant Professor - XJTLU - August 2019 - August 2022
  • Senior Lecturer - Curtin University Malaysia - 2018 - 2019
  • Senior Lecturer - SEGi University, Malaysia - 2013 - 2018
  • R&D Project Scientist - Environmental & Water Technology, Centre of Innovation (EWTCOI), Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore - 2012 - 2013
  • PhD Research Scholar - Nanyang Technological University, Singapore – 2007 - 2011
  • Process Engineer – Ranhill KWI Sdn Bhd, Malaysia – 2005 - 2006


  • Nanomaterials for environmental applications
  • Advanced oxidation processes
  • Adsorption processes
  • Renewable and sustainable energy
  • Environmental catalysis
  • Membrane separation processes
  • Clean technology
  • Climate change mitigation and adaptation
  • Solid waste remediation
  • Biomass processing
  • Enzyme technology


  • Yang, M., Chen, L., Wang, J.J., Msigwa, G., Osman, A.I., Fawzy, S., Rooney, D.W., Yap, P.S., (2022). An effective circular economy strategy for combating climate change and other environmental applications: a review. Environmental Chemistry Letters (Accepted).
  • Msgiwa, G., Ighalo, J.O., Yap, P.S. (2022). Considerations on Environmental, Economic, and Energy Impacts of Wind Energy Generation: Projects toward Sustainability Initiatives. Science of the Total Environment. Volume 849, 25 November 2022, 157755.
  • Chen, Z., Oh, W.D., Yap, P.S. (2022). Recent advances in the utilization of immobilized laccase for the degradation of phenolic compounds in aqueous solutions: A review. Chemosphere. Volume 307, Part 3, November 2022, 135824.
  • Anboo, S. Lau, S.Y., Kandeso, J., Yap, P.S., Hadibarata, T., Jeevanandam, J., Kamaruddin, A.H. (2022). Recent advancements in enzyme-incorporated nanomaterials: Synthesis, mechanistic formation, and applications. Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 1-30
  • Chen, L., Msigwa, G., Yang, M., Osman, A.I., Fawzy, S., Rooney, D.W., Yap, P.S. (2022). Strategies to achieve a carbon neutral society: a review. Environmental Chemistry Letters.
  • Ighalo, J.O., Yap, P.S., Iwuozor, K. O., Aniagor, C.O., Liu, T., Dulta, K., Iwuchukwu, F.U., Rangabhashiyam, S.. (2022). Adsorption of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from the aqueous environment by nano-adsorbents: a review. Environmental Research, Volume 212, Part A, September 2022, 113123.
  • Tang, K.H.D., Lock, S. S. M., Yap, P.S., Cheah, K.W., Chan, Y.H., Yiin, C.L., Ku, A.Z.E., Loy, A.C.M., Chin, B.L.F., Chai, Y. H. (2022). Immobilized enzyme/microorganism complexes for degradation of microplastics: A review of recent advances, feasibility and future prospects. Science of the Total Environment, Volume 832, 1 August 2022, 154868.
  • Syeda, H.I., Sultan, I., Razavi, K.S., Yap, P.S., 2022. Biosorption of heavy metals from aqueous solution by various chemically modified agricultural waste: A review. Journal of Water Process Engineering. Volume 46, April 2022, 102446.
  • Liu, T., Miao, P., Shi, Y., Tang, K.H.D., Yap, P.S., 2022. Recent advances, current issues and future prospects of bioenergy production: A review. Science of the Total Environment. Volume 810, 1 March 2022, 152181
  • Koo, P.L., Jaafar, N.F., Yap, P.S., Oh, W.D., 2022. A review on the application of perovskite as peroxymonosulfate activator for organic pollutants removal. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. Volume 10, Issue 1, February 2022, 107093.
  • El-Gaayda, J., Titchou, F.E., Barra, I., Karmal, I., Afanga, H., Zazou, H., Yap, P.S., Abidin, Z.Z., Hamdani, M., Ait Akbour, R., 2022. Optimization of turbidity and dye removal from synthetic wastewater using response surface methodology: Effectiveness of Moringa oleifera seed powder as a green coagulant. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. Volume 10, Issue 1, February 2022, 106988.
  • Yang, M., Chen, L., Msigwa, G., Tang, K.H.D., Yap, P.S., 2022. Implications of COVID-19 on global environmental pollution and carbon emissions with strategies for sustainability in the COVID-19 era. Science of the Total Environment. Volume 809, 25 February 2022, 151657.
  • Syeda, H. I., Yap, P.S., 2022. A review on three-dimensional cellulose-based aerogels for the removal of heavy metals from water. Science of the Total Environment. Volume 807, Part 1, 10 February 2022, 150606.
  • Liu, T., Lawluvy, Y., Shi, Y., Ighalo, J.O., He, Y., Zhang, Y., Yap, P.S., 2022. Adsorption of cadmium and lead from aqueous solution using modified biochar: A review. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. Volume 10, Issue 1, February 2022, 106502.
  • Igwegbe, C.A, Aniagor, C.O., Oba, S.N., Yap, P.S., Iwuchukwu, F.U., Liu, T., de Souza, E.C., Ighalo, J.O., 2021. Environmental protection by the adsorptive elimination of acetaminophen from water: A comprehensive review. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Volume 104, 25 December 2021, 117-135.
  • El-Gaayda, J., Titchou, F.E., Oukhrib, R., Yap, P.S., Liu, T., Hamdani, M, Ait Akbour, R., 2021. Natural flocculants for the treatment of wastewaters containing dyes or heavy metals: A state-of-the-art review. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. Volume 9, Issue 5, October 2021, 106060.
  • Khan, Z.U., Khan, W.U., Ullah, B. Ali, W., Ahmad, B., Ali, W., Yap, P.S., 2021. Graphene oxide/PVC composite papers functionalized with p-Phenylenediamine as high-performance sorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. Volume 9, Issue 5, October 2021, 105916.
  • Liu, T., Lawluvy, Y., Shi, Y., Yap, P.S., 2021. Low Impact Development (LID) Practices: A Review on Recent Developments, Challenges and Prospects. Water, Air & Soil Pollution, 232, Article number: 344.
  • Du, S., Zhu, R., Cai, Y., Xu, N., Yap, P.S., Zhang, Y., He, Y., Zhang, Y., 2021. Environmental fate and impacts of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems: a review. RSC Advances. 11, 15762-15784.
  • Ait Akbour, R., El-Gaayda, J., Titchou, F.E., Knenifi, A., Afanga, H., Farahi, A., Yap, P.S., Forte, M.B.S.., Hamdani, M., 2020. Adsorption of anionic dyes from aqueous solution using polyelectrolyte PDADMAC-modified-montmorillonite clay. Desalination and Water Treatment. 208, 407-422.
  • Ali, W., Ullah, H., Zada, A., Muhammad, W., Ali, S., Shaheen, S., Alamgir, M.K., Ansar, M.Z., Khan, Z.U., Bilal, H., Yap, P.S., 2020. Synthesis of TiO2 modified self-assembled honeycomb ZnO/SnO2 nanocomposites for exceptional photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol and bisphenol A. Science of the Total Environment. Volume 746, 1 December 2020, 141291.
  • Wong, J.K.H., Lee, K.K., Tang, K.H.D., Yap, P.S., 2020. Microplastics in the freshwater and terrestrial environments: Prevalence, fates, impacts and sustainable solutions. Science of the Total Environment. Volume 719, 1 June 2020, 137512.
  • Wong, J.K.H., Tan, H.K., Lau, S.Y., Yap, P.S., Danquah, M.K., 2019. Potential and challenges of enzyme incorporated nanotechnology in dye wastewater treatment: a review. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 7(4), 103261.
  • Yap, P.S., Lim, T.T., 2012. Solar regeneration of powdered activated carbon impregnated with visible-light responsive photocatalyst: factors affecting performances and predictive model. Water Research. 46(9), 3054-3064.
  • Yap, P.S., Cheah, Y.L., Srinivasan, M., Lim, T.T., 2012. Bimodal N-doped P25-TiO2/AC composite: preparation, characterization, physical stability, and synergistic adsorptive-solar photocatalytic removal of sulfamethazine. Applied Catalysis A: General. 427–428, 125-136.
  • Yap, P.S., Lim, T.T., 2011. Effect of aqueous matrix species on synergistic removal of bisphenol-A under solar irradiation using nitrogen-doped TiO2/AC composite. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental. 101(3-4), 709-717.
  • Yap, P.S., Lim, T.T., Srinivasan, M., 2011. Nitrogen-doped TiO2/AC bi-functional composite prepared by two-stage calcination for enhanced synergistic removal of hydrophobic pollutant using solar irradiation. Catalysis Today. 161(1), 46-52.
  • Wang, P., Yap, P.S., Lim, T.T., 2011. C–N–S tridoped TiO2 for photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under visible-light irradiation. Applied Catalysis A: General. 399(1-2), 252-261.
  • Gao, B., Yap, P.S., Lim, T.M., Lim, T.T., 2011. Adsorption-photocatalytic degradation of Acid Red 88 by supported TiO2: effect of activated carbon support and aqueous anions. Chemical Engineering Journal. 171(3), 1098-1107.
  • Lim, T.T., Yap, P.S., Srinivasan, M., Fane, A.G., 2011. TiO2/AC composites for synergistic adsorption-photocatalysis processes: present challenges and further developments for water treatment and reclamation. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology. 41(13), 1173-1230.
  • Yap, P.S., Lim, T.T., Lim, M., Srinivasan, M., 2010. Synthesis and characterization of nitrogen-doped TiO2/AC composite for the adsorption-photocatalytic degradation of aqueous bisphenol-A using solar light. Catalysis Today. 151(1-2), 8-13.


  • Lim, T.T., Yap, P.S. 2014. Treatment of RO concentrate for enhanced water recovery from wastewater treatment plant effluent. In Advanced Treatment Technologies for Urban Wastewater Reuse. Eds. D. Fatta-Kassinos, D.D. Dionysiou and K. Kummerer, The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, Springer. 45: 247-268. (DOI: 10.1007/698_2014_320)
  • Yap, P.S., Lim, T.T., Goh, K.H., 2017. Efficient removal of Cr(VI) from water using layer double hydroxides. In Environmental Conservation, Clean Water, Air & Soil (CleanWAS) International Conference Proceedings 26-28 August, 2016, China. Eds. Muhammad Aqeel Ashraf, Wan Syaidatul Aqma Wan Mohd Noor. IWA Publishing. pp. 146-149. ISBN 9781780408156.


  • Tang, K.H.D., Yap, P.S. 2020. Slash-and-burn agriculture - an obstacle to future-proofing climate change. 4th International Conference on Climate Change, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Yap, P.S., Lau, S.Y. 2020. Potential of enzyme-inorganic hybrid nanoflowers in multiple applications: a mini review. World Congress on Nanoscience, Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials (WCNSN-2020), Dubai, UAE.
  • Yap, P.S., Cheah, Y.H. 2018. Treatment of crystal violet and acid green 25 using Fenton process. 11th Curtin University Technology, Science and Engineering (CUTSE) International Conference, 26-28 November 2018, Curtin University Malaysia.
  • Yap, P.S., Priyaa, V. 2018. Removal of crystal violet and acid green 25 from water using kaolin. 11th Curtin University Technology, Science and Engineering (CUTSE) International Conference, 26-28 November 2018, Curtin University Malaysia.
  • Yap, P.S., Lim, T.T., Goh, K.H. 2015. Efficient removal of Cr(VI) from water using layer double hydroxides. International Conference on Clean Water, Air & Soil (CleanWAS), 28-30 August, 2015. Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. (Won the Best Paper Award)
  • Lim, T.T., Wang, P. H., Yap, P.S., Wang, X.P., 2011. Visible-light photocatalysis for removal of recalcitrant organic pollutants: prospect and overcoming challenges for treating real water, The 16th International Conference on TiO2 photocatalysis: Fundamentals and Applications (TiO2-16), 07-10 November, 2011, San Diego, CA, USA. (Invited lecture)
  • Yap, P.S., Lim, T.T., 2011. Photocatalytic regeneration of exhausted N-TiO2/AC composite using solar light: potential application in water reclamation, IWA International Conference, Cities of the Future Xi’an: Technologies for Integrated Urban Water Management, 15-19 September, 2011, Xi’an, China.
  • Lim, T.T., Yap, P.S., Lim, M., Srinivasan, M., 2010. Hybrid adsorption-photocatalysis of organic pollutants with bifunctional TiO2/AC composite under solar light: Prospective applications in water treatment and reclamation, 240th ACS National Meeting, 22-26 August, 2010, Boston, MA, USA, Paper ID: ENVR 146.
  • Lim, T.T., Yap, P.S., Lim, M., Srinivasan, M., 2010. Nitrogen-doped TiO2/AC composite for the removal of aqueous bisphenol-A under solar irradiation, Proceedings of the 6th European meeting on Solar Chemistry and Photocatalysis: Environmental Applications (SPEA6), 13-16 June, 2010, Prague, Czech Republic. Paper OP4.6, pp 407-408.
  • Yap, P.S., Lim, T.T., Lim, M. and Srinivasan, M., 2010. Bi-functional TiO2/AC composite for adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of recalcitrant organics under solar light: insights and outlook. Proceedings of the 1st IWA Malaysia Young Water Professionals Conference, 02-04 March, 2010, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, ISBN 983-9805-86-4, Paper ID: 110.
  • Yap, P.S., Lim, M., Srinivasan, M., Lim, T.T., 2009. Novel composite photocatalyst (N-TiO2/AC) for the degradation of bisphenol-A under solar irradiation. Proceedings of the 2nd European Conference on Environmental Applications of Advanced Oxidation Processes, 09-11 September, 2009, Nicosia, Cyprus, ISBN 978-9963-689-09-5.
  • Yap, P.S., Ibrahim, S., Ang, K.B., 2005. Ultrafiltration membrane treatment for rubber glove wastewater. The Conference on Industrial Pollution and Sustainable Development (IPSD), Maribor, Slovenia.


  • Co-investigator: Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) of Malaysia, Project: "Mechanistic study on the formation of self-assembly magnetic enzyme-inorganic hybrid nanoflowers biocatalyst" Funding: RM110,900 (about 188000RMB)- 2019-2022


  • Review Editor (Frontiers in Environmental Chemistry- Sorption Technologies)
  • Editorial Board Member for Tropical Aquatic and Soil Pollution
  • Editorial Board Member for Journal of Materials Science and Metallurgy
  • Reviewer for the following journals:
  • Environmental Science & Technology (ACS)
  • Science of the Total Environment (Elsevier)
  • Environment International (Elsevier)
  • Environmental Pollution (Elsevier)
  • Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering (Elsevier)
  • Journal of Hazardous Materials (Elsevier)
  • Journal of Molecular Liquids (Elsevier)
  • Catalysis Today (Elsevier)
  • Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy (Elsevier)
  • Journal of King Saud University- Science (Elsevier)
  • Water Research (Elsevier)
  • Applied Catalysis A: General (Elsevier)
  • Applied Catalysis B: Environmental (Elsevier)
  • Chemical Engineering Journal (Elsevier)
  • PLOS ONE
  • International Journal of Environmental Research (Springer)
  • Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery (Springer)
  • Polish Journal of Chemical Technology (De Gruyter)


  • CEN405 Sustainable Drainage Systems (MSc module)
  • CEN404 Environmental Engineering and Management Practice (MSc module)
  • CEN305 Environmental Studies (BEng(Hons) module)


  • CEN405 Sustainable Drainage Systems (MSc module)
  • CEN404 Environmental Engineering and Management Practice (MSc module)
  • CEN305 Environmental Studies (BEng(Hons) module)


  • Member, American Chemical Society (ACS) Malaysia Chapter (since 2014)
  • Member, American Chemical Society (ACS) (since 2012)
  • Associate Member, Institution of Chemical Engineers UK (AMIChemE) (since 2012)
  • Graduate Engineer, Board of Engineers Malaysia (Grad BEM) (since 2006)


  • 2021 Review article published in Science of the Total Environment listed as Highly Cited Papers (EnvironmentEcology) in Web of Science
  • 2021 Invited to become Organizing Committee Member in the World Nanotechnology Summit, Miami, USA
  • 2021 Invited to become a Scientific Committee Member in the 8th International Conference on Fire Effects on Soil Properties, Guarapuava, Brazil
  • 2021 Invited to become the Scientific Committee Member in the 5th International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC 2021), Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • 2020 Awarded the Session's Best Presenter in the 4th International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC 2020), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2020 Invited to become an organizing committee member in the 2nd International Conference on Chemical Engineering and Catalysis, San Francisco, USA
  • 2020 Invited to become an organizing committee member in the World Congress on Nanoscience, Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Dubai, UAE
  • 2020 Invited to become an organizing committee member in the Chemistry and Biochemistry World Forum, Luxembourg
  • 2020 Invited to become a scientific committee member in the 4th International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC 2020), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2019 Journal article entitled Potential and challenges of enzyme incorporated nanotechnology in dye wastewater treatment: a review was ranked among the Most Downloaded Articles (October-December) in Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
  • 2019 Invited to become an organizing committee member in SCON 2nd International Conference on Nanotechnology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • 2019 Invited to become an organizing committee member in the 7th Global Nanotechnology Congres and Expo, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2019 Invited to become a scientific committee member in The World Conference on Waste Management 2019 (WCWM 2019), Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • 2018Invited as the session chair in the One Curtin International Postgraduate Conference 2018 (session of Resources and Environmental Engineering)
  • 2018Certificate of reviewing (Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Elsevier)
  • 2018Biography listed in the Marquis Who's Who in the World
  • 2017 European Patent granted for PhD research
  • 2017Certificate of reviewing (Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Elsevier)
  • 2016-2017Biography listed in the Marquis Who's Who in Science and Engineering
  • 2016Certificate of outstanding contribution in reviewing (Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Elsevier)
  • 2016Biography listed in the Marquis Who's Who in the World
  • 2011-2016Among The Most Cited Articles in Applied Catalysis A: General since 2011 (In 2016, ranked 8th out of the top 25 most cited articles)
  • 2015Best paper award in The International Conference on Clean Water, Air & Soil (CleanWAS)
  • 2015Invited as the session chair in The International Conference on Clean Water, Air & Soil (CleanWAS)
  • 2014 Singapore Patent granted for PhD research
  • 2014Biography listed in the Marquis Who Who in the World
  • 2011Two articles in two leading journals (Applied Catalysis A: General and Chemical Engineering Journal) were recognized as among the Top 25 Hottest Articles in ScienceDirect
  • 2008-2010Financial support from National Research Foundation (NRF), Singapore for PhD research
  • 2008Distinctions for all Ph.D. courseworks
  • 2007-2011NTU Research Scholarship for Ph.D. studies
  • 2007Distinction for MSc research project
  • 2007Singapore Stanford Partnership graduate certificate jointly awarded by NTU & Stanford University (For successfully completing the SSP MSc programme)
  • 2006-2007Full Scholarship for M.Sc. studies (Singapore Stanford Partnership (SSP) programme)
  • 2001-2005Malaysian National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) Scholarship for B. Eng (Hons) studies (For obtaining First Class Honours)
  • 2005University Book Prize (Graduating from UM with First Class Honours)
  • 2005Departmental Subject Prize (Best student for bachelor degree in Environmental Engineering)
  • 2004Top 3 Finalists shortlisted for interview for Gamuda Excellence Award (For outstanding academic performance in Environmental Engineering, UM)
  • 2001-2005Dean List in bachelor degree
Pow Seng Yap