Houyang Xu
Houyang Xu

I have recently completed my PhD in Chemistry in the Nitschke group at the University of Cambridge. My PhD research projects focus on the dynamics and adaptability of metal-organic cages.

My current CV (last updated Nov 2025) can be found here.

Email: xuhy0914 AT gmail.com • hx276 AT cam.ac.uk
Address: Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK

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Research Interests

Self-assembly, supramolecular chemistry, conformationally adaptable molecules, and the design of self-assembled biomacromolecules and related materials.

Publications
  1. Xu, H.; Ronson, T. K.; Heard, A. W.; Teeuwen, P. C. P.; Schneider, L.; Pracht, P.; Thoburn, J. D.; Wales, D. J.; Nitschke, J. R.* A pseudo-cubic metal-organic cage with conformationally switchable faces for dynamically adaptive guest encapsulation. Nat. Chem. 2025, 17, 289–296. Graphical abstract
    • Highlighted in Science China Chemistry (Induced-fit expansion and contraction of a pseudo-cubic host switch from endo to exo upon binding large guests, Sci. China Chem. 2025, 68, 1627–1629) by Prof. Kai Wu and Prof. Cheng-Yong Su.
    • Highlighted in Chinese Chemical Letters (Conformationally adaptive metal-organic cages for dynamic guest encapsulation, Chin. Chem. Lett. 2025, 36, 111007.) by Dr. Yujuan Zhou and Dr. Kecheng Jie.
    • Check this YouTube video (credit: Paula Teeuwen) to see how it works:
  2. Xu, H.; Zhu, K.* Supramolecular recognition and mechanically interlocked molecules based on imidazoliums and crown ethers. Sci. Sin. Chim. 2023, 53 (12), 2509–2522.
  3. Lin, M.; Bian, L.; Chen, Q.; Xu, H.; Liu, Z.; Zhu, K.* Cyclization of an Achiral Flipping Panel to Homochiral Tubes Exhibiting Circularly Polarized Luminescence. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62 (28), e202303035.
  4. Xu, H.; Lin, M.-D.; Yuan, J.; Zhou, B.; Mu, Y.; Huo, Y.; Zhu, K.* Fluorescence emission enhancement of a T-shaped benzimidazole with a mechanically-interlocked 'suit'. Chem. Commun. 2021, 57 (26), 3239–3242.
    5. Graphical abstract
  5. Yang, Q.†; Xu, H.†; Wen, H.; Zhao, H.; Liu, X.; Cai, Y.*; Wang, H.*; Dong, R.* Graphene oxide induced enhancement of light-driven micromotor with biocompatible fuels. Appl. Mater. Today 2021, 22, 100943.