从事煤化工以及相关领域的科学研究.主要研究方向有:
1. 煤转化过程中煤中矿物质及多种有害元素的变迁化学与控制;
2. 洁净煤制造新工艺的研究与开发;
3. 从煤和生物质制氢新工艺的研究与开发.
目前负责承担863"酸性气体吸收型煤高效气化制氢新工艺的研究"、上海市浦江人才计划“热解和气化隔离式生物质高效催化气化制富氢燃气的研究”等课题。

一直从事能源化工主要是煤化工领域的科学研究与技术开发。在国内外专业学刊和国际会议上发表论文近80多篇，其中SCI论文30多篇。申请日本发明专利一项，国内发明专利两项。专著一篇。最近代表性论文：
(1) Wang ZY, Wang F, Cao JQ, Wang J. Pyrolysis of pine wood in a slowly heating reactor: potassium carbonate versus calcium hydroxide as a catalyst. Fuel Processing Technology (online, doi:10.1016/j.fuproc.2009.09.015)
(2) Wang J, Yao YH, Cao JQ, Jiang MQ. Enhanced catalysis of K2CO3 for steam gasification of coal char by using Ca(OH)2 in char preparation. Fuel (online, doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2009.09.001)
(3) Wang J, Jiang MQ, Yao YH, Zhang YM, Cao JQ. Steam gasification of char catalyzed by K2CO3 for enhanced production of hydrogen without formation of methane. Fuel 2009, 88, 1572-1579.
(4) Wang ZY, Cao JQ, Wang J. Pyrolytic characteristics of pine wood in a slowly heating and gas sweeping fixed-bed reactor. J. Analytic Applied Pyrolysis 2009, 84, 179-184.