Research interests are in the areas of synthesis, characterization, and properties of advanced coatings and composites by thermal spraying. Specifically, current topics include:

1) Nanocomposite coatings prepared by reactive synthesis (FeAl2O4, (Al,Cr)2O3-Cr, TiB2-TiC, TiC, TiN, etc)

2) Nanocomposite coatings of ceramics (Al2O3-TiO2, Al2O3-ZrO2, Al2O3-Y2O3, Al2O3-Cr2O3, etc)

3) Thermal barrier coatings and Environmental barrier coatings

1) Y. Yang, Y. Cui, L. Miao, Y. Wang, W. Tian, Y. Ma, X. Zhang, C. Zhang, X. Chen, L. Wang, Y. Dong, X. Dai. Effects of treatment process and nano-additives on the microstructure and properties of Al2O3-TiO2 nanocomposite powders used for plasma spraying. Powder Technology. 2018, 338: 304-312.

2) Y. Yang, Y. Wang, W. Tian, D.R. Yan, J.X. Zhang, L. Wang. Nanocomposite powder with three-dimensional network structure for preparing alumina-titania nanocomposite coating with advanced performance. Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 2015, 622: 929-934.

3) Y. Yang, Y. Wang, W. Tian, D.R. Yan, J.X. Zhang, L. Wang. Influence of composite powders’ microstructure on the microstructure and properties of Al2O3-TiO2 coatings fabricated by plasma spraying. Materials & Design. 2015, 65: 814-822.

4) Y. Yang, X.G. Chen, L. Wang, Z.H. Chu, Z. Liu, Y.C. Dong, D.R. Yan, J.X. Zhang, J.N. He, L. Wang. Sliding wear behavior of in-situ FeAl2O4 matrix nanocomposite coating fabricated by plasma spraying. Tribology International. 2015, 81: 97-104.

5) Y. Yang, D.R. Yan, Y.C. Dong, X.G. Chen, L. Wang, Z.H. Chu, J.X. Zhang, J.N. He. Influence of oxides addition on the reaction of Fe2O3-Al composite powders in plasma flame. Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 2013, 579: 1-6.