Chemistry is my initially misunderstood but rightly chosen major. I first became interested in chemistry in senior high school. Ironically, the reason was that I considered it as an easy and simple subject. Just by memorizing some pieces of fundamental principles and reaction equations, I could easily gain good marks in exams. It was so “easy” to me that I chose this “simple” subject as my undergraduate major. My undergraduate experiences, however, proved that I was wrong. Chemistry, indeed, is a really complicated scientific discipline with a vast range of profound knowledge. At first, facing so much elusive content form various aspects of chemistry, I felt a little regretful for my former decision. However, the more I learn and the deeper I drill，the more interesting and fascinating I find it. Especially, after three years’ theory studying and nearly two years’ research in the lab, I believe that taking chemistry as my major is definitely a right choice. Gradually falling in love with chemistry, I have taken special interest in material, the interdisciplinary field of Chemistry, Physics and Engineering. From my perspective, chemistry is not what it was one or two hundred years ago. Modern chemistry emphasizes more on multi-subject cooperation and application. Material chemistry is a result of this trend. Basing on fundamental knowledge of chemistry, material chemists design and synthesize special functional materials to meet certain needs in industry and people’s daily life. This is a magic and challenging field, to which I am keen to devote myself.
During my two years’ research in the lab, I mainly assist my tutor to create materials used for electrodes of lithium battery. Our group do all the steps from designing target materials to choosing proper paths to synthesizing them, and then we would test and analyse the products. The final results may lead to a new research cycle. I have anticipated in all the steps, and learnt a lot from these experiences. My innovation spirit and creativity have been improved through solid mastery of fundamental knowledge, broaden horizon, and frequent contact with those frontier achievements. Last term, for example, I tried to make a Li-Al-Fe-O compound. According to former literatures, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 appeared phase separation at high temperature, while my aim compound could not form in low temperature circumstance if solid-state synthesized. This was a conflict. I tried to use gel-sol method at first, but failed. After several days’ consideration, illumed by several newly published literatures, I decided to use high-energy ball mill. My idea was built on three facts. First, during the friction process, solid particles would become smaller, while the surface area increased. So, according to chemical reaction theory, their activity increased. Second, friction also generated heat. Relatively high temperature in partial areas helped the crystal growth. Third, some papers had reported alloy synthesized in this way. Final products supported my idea. Although their crystal structure was far from perfection, test results indicated a bright further. After taking part in four projects, not only my theories knowledge have been greatly enriched，but also my experimental skills have been profoundly enlarged, such as mastering the use of X-Ray diffraction apparatus, SEM, high-temperature furnace, and high-vacuum desiccators. Because of my good performance and hard-working, I am now in charge of a project that involves basic exploitation of multi-electron energy story system, which is mainly about magnesium ion and zinc ion batteries. I believe I will learn a lot new from this experience as a project leader.
As I mentioned in the first paragraph, I become growingly attracted by material chemistry. Solving problems delights me, and new materials produced be myself provide me with feeling of accomplishment. While, the more I learn, the more problems come. I want to find the truth of them. Further education is,
