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PHAM KIEN CUONG
Address: No. 51A, ngach 58/23, ngo 58, Tran Binh, Cau Giay, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
E-mail: phamkiencuong@u.nus.edu ; phamkiencuong@gmail.com
Mobile: +84 948 267 693
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiencuongpham
EDUCATION
2011 – 2016 National University of Singapore (NUS) and Imperial College London
· NUS–Imperial College joint PhD programme
· NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering (NGS) (National University of
Singapore) and Department of Materials (Imperial College London)
· Graduate Average Point: 4.75/5.0
· PhD Thesis: Nano-structured Carbon Materials for Energy Generation and Storage
2007 – 2011 National University of Singapore (NUS)
· Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Materials Science & Engineering
· Specialisation: Nanostructured Materials & Nanotechnology
· Graduate Average Point: 4.68/5.0
· BEng Dissertation: Synthesis and Investigation of Gold–Upconversion Nanoparticles
2005 – 2007 Vietnam National University, Hanoi — Hanoi University of Science
· Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Physics (uncompleted degree before transferring to NUS)
· Cumulative Average Point: 8.56/10.0
2002 – 2005 Ha Long High School for the Gifted, Quang Ninh, Vietnam
· Specialisation in Physics
· Privilege of direct enrolment into Vietnamese universities
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2011 – 2016 NUS–Imperial College joint PhD programme
· Project title: Nano-structured Carbon Materials for Energy Generation and Storage.
· Supervisors: Prof Andrew T. S. Wee (Department of Physics, NUS), Assoc Prof Daniel H. C.
Chua (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NUS), Prof David S. McPhail
(Department of Materials, ICL) and Dr Cecilia Mattevi (Department of Materials, ICL).
· Worked in NUS and Imperial College London’s laboratories to develop nano-structured carbon
materials — specifically Graphene–Carbon Nanotube hybrids — and apply them to a wide range
of electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices, including Proton Exchange Membrane
Fuel Cells, Hydrogen Evolution Reaction catalysts, and Supercapacitors.
· Proactive in planning project, conceiving research ideas, designing and performing experiments,
analysing and reporting research results.
· Participated in several scientific journal publications, conferences, and summer schools.
· Experienced in material preparation techniques (e.g. magnetron sputtering, chemical vapour
deposition, and electrochemical deposition), material characterisation techniques (e.g. SEM, TEM,
Raman spectroscopy, XRD, XPS, electrochemical measurements, fuel cell testing, and Focused Ion
Beam techniques), and the corresponding data analyses.
2010 – 2011 BEng Dissertation project
· Project title: Synthesis and Investigation of Gold–Upconversion Nanoparticles.
· Supervisor: Prof Chow Gan Moog (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NUS).
· Worked closely with other group members to develop gold decorated NaYF4:20%Yb,2%Er hybrid
nanoparticle systems for bioimaging and photodynamic cancer treatments.
· Characterisation methods included dynamic light scattering, UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy,
fluorescence spectroscopy, TEM and in vitro testing for the photodynamic efficiency of the
material using a 980 nm continuous NIR solid state laser.

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Feb – Sept 2010 Undergraduate Research Opportunity Programme (UROP)
· Project title: Synthesis of Silica Nanocapsules.
· Supervisors: Prof John Wang (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NUS) and Dr Li
Xu (Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, IMRE).
· Synthesised the hybrid silica nanocapsules for targeted drug delivery in cancer therapies.
· Characterisation techniques included dynamic light scattering, TEM, and thermogravimetric
analysis.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
· Supervised laboratory sessions for undergraduate students in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering,
National University of Singapore (2013).
· Trained undergraduate students in practical techniques and providing discussions during their BEng Dissertation
projects (National University of Singapore, 2011 – 2013).
OTHER RELEVANT COURSES
· International School of Solid State Physics, 62nd
Course “Materials for Renewable Energy” (Erice, Italy, 12th
– 18th
July
2014). This was a one-week long summer school discussing a wide range of renewable energy technologies and
providing students a wider perspective to the renewable energy sectors. In addition to lectures, students also formed
teams to solve energy challenges in various hypothetical scenarios. My team was awarded the Galvani Prize in this
student project.
· Imperial College London International Transferable Skills Course in Singapore (National University of Singapore, 2nd
–
6th
July 2012). This was a four-day residential course for postgraduate students. The primary purpose of the course was
to enhance both the personal and research effectiveness of early stage PhD participants. Research skills, team work and
communication skills were discussed.
PUBLICATIONS
Journal articles
[1] Pham, K.-C., Kishimoto, M., Bertazzo, S., McPhail, D. S., Brandon, N. P., Wee, A. T. S. & Chua, D. H. C. Three-
Dimensional Reconstruction of Porous Carbon Electrode Nanostructures Using FIB–SEM Tomography. (Submitted)
[2] Pham, K.-C., McPhail, D. S., Wee, A. T. S. & Chua, D. H. C. Amorphous molybdenum sulfide on graphene-carbon
nanotube hybrids as supercapacitor electrode materials. RSC Advances 7, 6856-6864, (2017).
[3] Pham, K.-C., Chang, Y.-H., McPhail, D. S., Mattevi, C., Wee, A. T. S. & Chua, D. H. C. Amorphous Molybdenum
Sulfide on Graphene–Carbon Nanotube Hybrids as Highly Active Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Catalysts. ACS Applied
Materials & Interfaces 8, 5961-5971, (2016).
[4] Pham, K.-C., McPhail, D. S., Mattevi, C., Wee, A. T. S. & Chua, D. H. C. Graphene-Carbon Nanotube Hybrids as
Robust Catalyst Supports in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells. Journal of The Electrochemical Society 163, F255-
F263, (2016).
[5] Pham, K.-C., Chua, D. H. C., McPhail, D. S. & Wee, A. T. S. The Direct Growth of Graphene-Carbon Nanotube
Hybrids as Catalyst Support for High-Performance PEM Fuel Cells. ECS Electrochemistry Letters 3, F37-F40, (2014).
Conference oral presentations, posters and proceedings
[1] Loh, T. A. J., Hu, Y., Pham, K. C., Tan, Z. & Chua, D. H. C. Multifunctional metal oxides and 2D materials utilizing
carbon nanotubes as a base template for clean energy and other applications. IEEE 16th
International Conference on
Nanotechnology (IEEE-NANO), 899-900, (2016).
[2] Pham, K.-C., Chua, D. H. C., McPhail, D. S., Mattevi, C. & Wee, A. T. S. A graphene – carbon nanotube hybrid for
high performance proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). 23rd
annual Postgraduate Research Day, Imperial
College London, (2014).
[3] Pham, K.-C., Chua, D. H. C., McPhail, D. S. & Wee, A. T. S. Graphene nanoflakes carbon nanotubes hybrid as highly
robust catalyst support in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Abstracts of Papers of the American Chemical Society 246,
(2013).
[4] Pham, K.-C., Tan, H., Li, X. & Wang, J. Hybrid Silica Nanocapsules Synthesised by Interfacial Templating
Condensation. Proceeding of 16th
NUROP congress 2011, National University of Singapore, (2011).

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AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
Mar 2015 Winner — Image competition on Postgraduate Research Day 2015
Winner of the Image competition on Postgraduate Research Day 2015, an annual research
symposium organised by the Department of Materials, Imperial College London.
Jul 2014 Galvani Prize
Awarded for a student team project organised by the International School of Solid State Physics,
62nd
Course “Materials for Renewable Energy”, Erice (Italy), 12th
– 18th
July 2014.
2011 – 2015 NGS Scholarship
Awarded by National University of Singapore for the joint PhD programme in NUS and ICL.
Feb 2011,
Feb 2010,
Jun 2009,
Jun 2008,
Jan 2008
Dean’s List
Awarded by Faculty of Engineering (NUS) “In Recognition of Outstanding Scholastic
Achievement” as in the top 5% students of class.
2007 – 2011 Singapore Scholarship
Awarded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore for a fully funded undergraduate
candidature in NUS.
Oct 2006 Aptech Scholarship
Awarded by Aptech–Hanoi for a programming course at Aptech–Hanoi training centre.
Sep 2006 Odon Vallet Scholarships for Excellent Students
Awarded by Rencontres du Vietnam, in recognition of excellent performance as an undergraduate
student.
Aug 2005 Nationwide top scorer
Scored absolute marks (in total of 30/30) in the Vietnam centralised University Qualifying
Entrance Examination (2005).
May 2005,
May 2004
Certificates of Merit — Third Prize/Bronze Medal in the National Physics Olympiad
Awarded by the Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnam, for winning the Third Prize/Bronze
Medal in the National Physics Olympiad for 12th
grade students, 2004 and 2005.
REFERENCES
Daniel H. C. Chua
Associate Professor
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore
9 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117576, Singapore
Tel: (65) 6516 8933
E-mail: msechcd@nus.edu.sg
Website: http://www.mse.nus.edu.sg/staff/chcd.php
Andrew T. S. Wee
Provost's Chair Professor
Vice President (University and Global Relations)
Department of Physics
Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore
2 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117542, Singapore
Tel: (65) 6516 6362
E-mail: phyweets@nus.edu.sg
Website: http://www.physics.nus.edu.sg/staff/andrewwee.html
David S. McPhail †
Distinguished Chair of Conservation Science, The Edith O'Donnell Institute of Art History
Professor, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, BE26
University of Texas at Dallas
800 W. Campbell Rd, Richardson, TX 75080-3021, USA
Tel: (1) 972 883 2973
E-mail: dsm160330@utdallas.edu
Website: https://www.utdallas.edu/arthistory/mcphail/
†
Formerly affiliated with the Department of Materials, Imperial College London.

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APPENDIX
Synopses of research projects
NUS–Imperial College joint PhD programme (2011 – 2016)
· Project title: Nano-structured Carbon Materials for Energy Generation and Storage.
· Supervisors: Prof Andrew T. S. Wee (Department of Physics, NUS), Assoc Prof Daniel H. C. Chua (Department of
Materials Science and Engineering, NUS), Prof David S. McPhail (Department of Materials, ICL) and Dr Cecilia
Mattevi (Department of Materials, ICL).
· In this project, we studied the fabrication of nano-structured carbon materials and their applications in electrochemical
energy conversion and storage devices. Specifically, a novel carbon material referred to as Graphene–Carbon Nanotube
hybrid was fabricated using the chemical vapour deposition methods. The Graphene–Carbon Nanotube hybrid was
obtained by a catalyst-free growth of free-standing graphene on a carbon nanotube scaffold. The resulting hybrid
material combined the advantageous properties of constituent materials, including an ultra-high density of graphitic
edges of graphene and a porous structure of carbon nanotubes. The hybrid formed a hierarchical, high specific surface
area, high graphitic edge density, porous, and conductive support suitable for a wide range of electrochemical device
applications.
· The hybrid was used as a support material for platinum catalysts in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)
cathodes. The hybrid showed both enhanced catalytic activity and superior electrochemical stability compared to a
commercial catalyst based on carbon black supported platinum nanoparticles.
· The hybrid was also used as a support material for amorphous molybdenum sulfide (MoSx). The resulting material could
be used both as a supercapacitor electrode material and as a highly active Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) catalyst
material. As a supercapacitor electrode material, the hybrid showed high specific capacitance, good high-discharge-rate
performance and good electrochemical stability. As a hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst material, the hybrid was one
of the most active non-precious catalysts ever reported.
· A Focused Ion Beam–Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB–SEM) dual beam technique was also developed to visually
reconstruct the porous three-dimensional nanostructures of carbon-based electrodes used in PEMFC cathodes. The
method was suggested to have a broad implication across the field of electrochemistry, in which carbon electrodes are
commonly used in various electrochemical devices such as PEMFCs, supercapacitors, and lithium ion battery anodes.
BEng Dissertation project (2010 – 2011)
· Project title: Synthesis and Investigation of Gold–Upconversion Nanoparticles.
· Supervisor: Prof Chow Gan Moog (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NUS).
· In this project, we synthesised and systematically investigated the properties of rare-earth doped up-conversion
nanoparticles decorated with gold nanoparticles (Au on NaYF4:20%Yb,2%Er / NaYF4 / Silica core/shell/shell). The
synthesised nanoparticles functioned by coupling the up-converted light emission from rare-earth doped NaYF4
nanocrystals and the localised surface plasmon resonance on gold nanoparticles, giving simultaneous bioimaging and
photodynamic capabilities. Potential applications were cancer treatment therapies as well as bioimaging. The project
focused on chemical synthesis and characterisation of the multifunctional nanoparticles, and in vitro testing for the
photodynamic efficiency of the material. The material showed strong photothermal effect and cancer cell destruction
efficiency.
Undergraduate Research Opportunity Programme (UROP) (Feb – Sept 2010)
· Project title: Synthesis of Silica Nanocapsules.
· Supervisors: Prof John Wang (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NUS) and Dr Li Xu (Institute of
Materials Research and Engineering, IMRE).
· In this project, we synthesised the hybrid silica nanocapsules by using an interfacial template condensation method. A
systematic study of the synthesis conditions was carried out to optimise the structure and stability of the nanocapsules.
Potential application of the silica nanocapsules was aimed for targeted drug delivery for cancer therapy. Characterisation
techniques included dynamic light scattering, TEM, and thermogravimetric analysis.