Based on the separation chemistry of rare earth and chemical fabrications, our research is focused on the control of the structure and microstructure, particle size and its distribution, morphology, and surface and interface of rare earth functional materials, so as to modify and enhance the behaviors. At present, our topics of research are as follows：
(1) Optimized design and automation of rare earth separation processes；
(2) Self-assembly of the rare earth molecular materials；
(3) Fabrication and characterization of the nanosized rare earth functional materials.

B.Sc.(1982), M.Sc.(1985), Ph.D.(1988), Peking University; Lecturer (1988-89), Associate Professor (1989-91), Professor (1991-present), State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, Peking University; Senior Visiting Fellow (1992, RS of UK); Visiting Professor (1993, JSPS of Japan; Visiting Professor (1995, KIST of Korea). 

Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2011).

J. Zhang, L. D. Sun, C. S. Liao, C. H. Yan*, “A simple route towards tubular ZnO”, Chem Commun., 3, 262-263 (2002).
Z. G. Wei, L. D. Sun, C. S. Liao, C. H. Yan*, “Fluorescence intensity and color purity improvement in nanosized YBO3:Eu”, Appl. Phys. Lett. 80, 1447 (2002).
J. Zhang, L. D. Sun, H. Y. Pan, C. S. Liao, C. H. Yan<*, “ZnO nanowires fabricated by a convenient route”, New J. Chem., 26(1), 33 (2002).
E. Q. Gao, Z. M. Wang, C. S. Liao, and C. H. Yan*, A novel three-dimensional metal-organic polycatenane and topologic isomerism, New J. Chem., 26(9), 1096-1098, (2002).
X. H. Li, Y. H. Huang, Z. M. Wang, and C. H. Yan*, Tuning between negative and positive magnetoresistance in (La0.7Sr0.3MnO3)1- x(La1.85Sr0.15CuO4)x composites, Appl. Phys. Lett., 81(2), 307-309, (2002).
Y. H. Huang, C. H. Yan*, F. Luo, W. Song, Z. M. Wang, C. S. Liao, Large enhancement in room-temperature magnetoresistance and dramatic decrease in resistivity in La0.7Ca0.3MnO3/Ag composites, Appl. Phys. Lett., 81(1), 76-78, (2002).
Y. H. Huang, C. S. Liao, Z. M. Wang, X. H. Li, C. H. Yan*, J. R. Sun, and B. G. Shen, Large doping effects arising from Sc on magnetic and transport properties in La0.7Ca0.3Mn1-xScxO3, Phys. Rew. B, 65, 184423-8, (2002).
G. Xu, Y. W. Zhang, C. S. Liao, and C. H. Yan*, Hydrothermal Synthesis of Weakly-agglomerated Scandia Stabilized Zirconia Nanocrystalline, J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 85(4), 995-997, (2002).
B. Zhou, Y. W. Zhang, C. S. Liao, F. X. Cheng, and C. H. Yan*, L. Y. Chen, and S. Y. W., Enhanced magneto-optical Kerr effects and decreased Curie temperature in Co-Mn ferrite thin films, Appl. Phys. Lett., 79(12), 1849-1851, (2001).
Y. W. Zhang, Y. Yang, S. Jin, S. J. Tian, G. B. Li, J. T. Jia, C. S. Liao, and C. H. Yan*, Sol-gel Fabrication and Electrical Property of Nanocrystalline (RE2O3)0.08(ZrO2)0.92 (RE=Sc, Y) Thin Films, Chem. Mater., 13(2), 372-378, (2001).
B. G. Zhang, H. Mo, C. Y. Duan, C. He, Q. J. Meng, Z. M. Wang, C. H. Yan, Novel highly symmetrical cube-shaped cation with 16-nitrogen donors, Chem. Comm., 24, 2652-2653, (2001).
C. J. Fang, C. Y. Duan, D. Guo, C. He, Q. J. Meng, Z. M. Wang, C. H. Yan, Self-assembly of a chloro-bridged helical coordination polymer achieved from a ferrocenyl-containing double-helicate, Chem. Comm., 24, 2540-2541, (2001).
Q. L. Chu, Z. M. Wang, Q. C. Huang, C. H. Yan, and S. Z. Zhu, Fluorine-Containing Donor-Acceptor Complex: Infinite Chain Formed by Oxygen···Iodine Interaction, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 123(44), 11069-11070, (2001).
Y. W. Zhang, S. Jin, Y. Yang, G. B. Li, S. J. Tian, J. T. Jia, C. S. Liao, C. H. Yan*, Electrical Conductivity Enhancement in Nanocrystalline (Sc2O3)0.08(ZrO2)0.92 Thin Films，15. Appl. Phys. Lett., 77(22), 3409-3411, (2000).