Overview
Background
Dr Cheng Zhang is an innovative Research Fellow supported by both ARC and NHMRC. He has an outstanding track record in the fields of fluoropolymers, polymer chemistry and materials science. He has made significant contributions to these fields of research through innovative chemistry to build precise fluoropolymer structures and subsequent molecular-level characterisation to understand the structure-property relationship for specific applications including from energy materials e.g. solid electrolytes, sorbent materials for environmental PFAS remediation, to functional biomaterials e.g. imaging and therapeutic agents.
Please read more here at the Zhang Group.
Availability
- Dr Cheng Zhang is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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PFAS remediation
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Advanced batteries
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Polymeric biomaterials for disease detection and treatment
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NMR and MRI of polymers
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Polymer chemistry
Research impacts
Dr Zhang's research aims to promote polymer chemistry and its value to society by understanding structure-property relationships to develop novel functional polymeric platforms rapidly. An important way for achieving such a vision is to deliver academic excellence toward social engagement and global impact through industrial collaborations. Over the past five years, he has initiated and maintained great industrial connections with world-leading companies and local city councils, for example, working with Chemours and the City of Gold Coast to advance PFAS capture technologies, and collaborating with Lyndra Therapeutics Inc. to develop new oral drugs for facilitating PFAS elimination from humans. He has published over 100 journal articles, including Nature, Nature Materials, Nature Reviews Materials, Chemical Reviews, Journal of the American Chemical Society, ACS Nano, Macromolecules and etc, attracting over 5,000 citations (Google Scholar). He has also successfully secured over $10 M in external grants to support his research in related fields.
His research has achieved positive impacts on the community and has led to commercial, environmental and industrial benefits. He is the inventor and key driver of developing novel fluorinated polymeric devices for removing PFAS from environments (capture of fluorinated carbon compounds, WO2020160626A1). The invention delivers an easy-to-use and reusable highly fluorinated polymer-based device for efficient and selective removal of all classes of PFAS from various contaminated sources. In addition to patent protection, a commercialisation strategy for the invention is currently being developed together with Chemours and UniQuest. In 2021, he has been awarded the Fresh scientist to broadcast my PFAS research to the general public. This provides a great pathway for me to introduce PFAS to the community and builds public awareness of the links between adverse health effects and PFAS.
Awards
2025 UQ Foundation Research Excellence Award.
2025 Advanced Materials Rising Star.
2024 CSIRO ON Prime Facilitator Prize
2024 PMSE Early Investigator Award.
2023 Young Tall Poppy Science Award.
2023 ACS Materials AU Rising Star.
2022 UQ Industry Engagement Award.
Works
Search Professor Cheng Zhang’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Functional fluoropolymer surfactants for droplet generation in microfluidics
Cheng, Xinrong, Wang, Yiqing, Xia, Bingzhao, Tan, Xiao, Li, Xiangke, Zhu, Yutong, He, Yutong, Wang, Yu, Zhang, Yuhao, Liu, Kehan, Qiao, Ruirui and Zhang, Cheng (2024). Functional fluoropolymer surfactants for droplet generation in microfluidics. ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 6 (23), 14401-14409. doi: 10.1021/acsapm.4c02392
2024
Journal Article
Thermoresponsive polymer sorbents for efficient removal of perfluorinated compounds via simple heating
Tan, Xiao, Wang, Yiqing, Yang, Zhuojing, Zhu, Yutong, Yu, Chunrong, Liu, Kehan, He, Yutong, Whittaker, Andrew K. and Zhang, Cheng (2024). Thermoresponsive polymer sorbents for efficient removal of perfluorinated compounds via simple heating. Macromolecules, 57 (23), 11166-11176. doi: 10.1021/acs.macromol.4c01868
2024
Journal Article
Additives capable of stably supplying anions/cations for homogeneous lithium deposition/stripping
Qian, Shangshu, Tan, Xiao, Zhu, Yutong, Wang, Yun, Chen, Hao, Zheng, Mengting, Zhang, Cheng, Zhang, Shanqing and Lu, Jun (2024). Additives capable of stably supplying anions/cations for homogeneous lithium deposition/stripping. ACS Nano, 18 (50), 34363-34374. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.4c13229
2024
Journal Article
Discrete side chains for direct tuning properties of grafted polymers
Wang, Yiqing, Tan, Xiao, Zhang, Yuhao, Hill, David J. T., Zhang, Afang, Kong, Dehui, Hawker, Craig J., Whittaker, Andrew K. and Zhang, Cheng (2024). Discrete side chains for direct tuning properties of grafted polymers. Macromolecules, 57 (24), 11753-11762. doi: 10.1021/acs.macromol.4c02533
2024
Journal Article
Multifunctional nanocomposite polymer-integrated Ca-doped CeO2 electrolyte for robust and high-rate all-solid-state sodium-ion batteries
Yang, Pan, Wu, Zhenzhen, Li, Mingli, Zhang, Cheng, Wang, Yiqing, Zhu, Yutong, Li, Meng, Wang, Yun, Li, Dong-sheng, Chen, Hao and Zhang, Shanqing (2024). Multifunctional nanocomposite polymer-integrated Ca-doped CeO2 electrolyte for robust and high-rate all-solid-state sodium-ion batteries. Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 64 (6) e202417778, 1-13. doi: 10.1002/anie.202417778
2024
Journal Article
Ultrarobust, self-healing poly(urethane-urea) elastomer with superior tensile strength and intrinsic flame retardancy enabled by coordination cross-linking
Luo, Yuxin, Tan, Meiyan, Shin, Jaeman, Zhang, Cheng, Yang, Shiyuan, Song, Ningning, Zhang, Wenchao, Jiao, Yunhong, Xie, Jixing, Geng, Zhishuai, He, Jiyu, Xia, Min, Xu, Jianzhong and Yang, Rongjie (2024). Ultrarobust, self-healing poly(urethane-urea) elastomer with superior tensile strength and intrinsic flame retardancy enabled by coordination cross-linking. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 16 (33), 43979-43990. doi: 10.1021/acsami.4c08185
2024
Journal Article
Multifunctional fluoropolymer‐engineered magnetic nanoparticles to facilitate blood‐brain barrier penetration and effective gene silencing in medulloblastoma
Forgham, Helen, Zhu, Jiayuan, Huang, Xumin, Zhang, Cheng, Biggs, Heather, Liu, Liwei, Wang, Yi Cheng, Fletcher, Nicholas, Humphries, James, Cowin, Gary, Mardon, Karine, Kavallaris, Maria, Thurecht, Kristofer, Davis, Thomas P. and Qiao, Ruirui (2024). Multifunctional fluoropolymer‐engineered magnetic nanoparticles to facilitate blood‐brain barrier penetration and effective gene silencing in medulloblastoma. Advanced Science, 11 (25) 2401340, 1-20. doi: 10.1002/advs.202401340
2024
Journal Article
Ni-rich cathode materials for stable high-energy lithium-ion batteries
Wu, Zhenzhen, Zhang, Cheng, Yuan, Fangfang, Lyu, Miaoqiang, Yang, Pan, Zhang, Lei, Zhou, Ming, Wang, Liang, Zhang, Shanqing and Wang, Lianzhou (2024). Ni-rich cathode materials for stable high-energy lithium-ion batteries. Nano Energy, 126 109620, 1-28. doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2024.109620
2024
Journal Article
A universal electrochemical sensor for detection of nucleic acids and protein based on host-guest recognition of β-cyclodextrin polymer
Gong, Hanlin, Bao, Chenglong, Guo, Xin, Tian, Fenyang, Qiu, Longyu and Yang, Weiwei (2024). A universal electrochemical sensor for detection of nucleic acids and protein based on host-guest recognition of β-cyclodextrin polymer. Microchemical Journal, 204 110987. doi: 10.1016/j.microc.2024.110987
2024
Journal Article
Rapid generation of well‐defined biodegradable poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) libraries through chromatographic separation
Shu, Yilei, Pang, Huiwen, Wu, Youzhi, Wang, Yiqing, Huang, Guojun, Zhang, Cheng and Han, Felicity Y. (2024). Rapid generation of well‐defined biodegradable poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) libraries through chromatographic separation. Journal of Polymer Science, 62 (17), 4091-4100. doi: 10.1002/pol.20240238
2024
Journal Article
Engineering electrode microstructures for advanced lithium-ion batteries
Chen, Zhou and Zhang, Cheng (2024). Engineering electrode microstructures for advanced lithium-ion batteries. Microstructures, 4 (3) 2024033. doi: 10.20517/microstructures.2023.89
2024
Journal Article
Enhancing performance and longevity of solid-state zinc-iodine batteries with fluorine-rich solid electrolyte interphase
Huang, Yongxin, Wang, Yiqing, Peng, Xiyue, Lin, Tongen, Huang, Xia, Alghamdi, Norah S., Rana, Masud, Chen, Peng, Zhang, Cheng, Whittaker, Andrew K., Wang, Lianzhou and Luo, Bin (2024). Enhancing performance and longevity of solid-state zinc-iodine batteries with fluorine-rich solid electrolyte interphase. Materials Futures, 3 (3) 035102. doi: 10.1088/2752-5724/ad50f1
2024
Journal Article
High-entropy porous spinel ferrite @ amorphous carbon nanocomposites with abundant structural defects for wide-band electromagnetic wave absorption
Liu, Xinyang, Tian, Fenyang, Sheng, Jie, Yu, Yongsheng and Yang, Weiwei (2024). High-entropy porous spinel ferrite @ amorphous carbon nanocomposites with abundant structural defects for wide-band electromagnetic wave absorption. Chemical Engineering Journal, 490 151848. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.151848
2024
Journal Article
Chromatographic separation: A versatile strategy to prepare discrete and well-defined polymer libraries
Murphy, Elizabeth A., Zhang, Cheng, Bates, Christopher M. and Hawker, Craig J. (2024). Chromatographic separation: A versatile strategy to prepare discrete and well-defined polymer libraries. Accounts of Chemical Research, 57 (8), 1202-1213. doi: 10.1021/acs.accounts.4c00059
2024
Journal Article
Accelerating the generation of NiOOH by in-situ surface phosphating nickel sulfide for promoting the proton-coupled electron transfer kinetics of urea electrolysis
Guo, Xin, Qiu, Longyu, Li, Menggang, Tian, Fenyang, Ren, Xue, Jie, Sheng, Geng, Shuo, Han, Guanghui, Huang, Yarong, Song, Ying, Yang, Weiwei and Yu, Yongsheng (2024). Accelerating the generation of NiOOH by in-situ surface phosphating nickel sulfide for promoting the proton-coupled electron transfer kinetics of urea electrolysis. Chemical Engineering Journal, 483 149264. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.149264
2024
Journal Article
Accelerated discovery and mapping of block copolymer phase diagrams
Murphy, Elizabeth A., Skala, Stephen J., Kottage, Dimagi, Kohl, Phillip A., Li, Youli, Zhang, Cheng, Hawker, Craig J. and Bates, Christopher M. (2024). Accelerated discovery and mapping of block copolymer phase diagrams. Physical Review Materials, 8 (1) 015602, 1-10. doi: 10.1103/physrevmaterials.8.015602
2024
Journal Article
Tailored fluorosurfactants through controlled/living radical polymerization for highly stable microfluidic droplet generation
Li, Xiangke, Tang, Shi‐Yang, Zhang, Yang, Zhu, Jiayuan, Forgham, Helen, Zhao, Chun‐Xia, Zhang, Cheng, Davis, Thomas P. and Qiao, Ruirui (2024). Tailored fluorosurfactants through controlled/living radical polymerization for highly stable microfluidic droplet generation. Angewandte Chemie, 136 (3) e202315552, 1-9. doi: 10.1002/ange.202315552
2023
Journal Article
Recent Progress on Ruthenium-Based Electrocatalysts towards the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Li, Lulu, Tian, Fenyang, Qiu, Longyu, Wu, Fengyu, Yang, Weiwei and Yu, Yongsheng (2023). Recent Progress on Ruthenium-Based Electrocatalysts towards the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction. Catalysts, 13 (12) 1497. doi: 10.3390/catal13121497
2023
Journal Article
Tailored fluorosurfactants through controlled/living radical polymerization for highly stable microfluidic droplet generation
Li, Xiangke, Tang, Shi-Yang, Zhang, Yang, Zhu, Jiayuan, Forgham, Helen, Zhao, Chun-Xia, Zhang, Cheng, Davis, Thomas P. and Qiao, Ruirui (2023). Tailored fluorosurfactants through controlled/living radical polymerization for highly stable microfluidic droplet generation. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 63 (3) e202315552, e202315552. doi: 10.1002/anie.202315552
2023
Journal Article
Improved Plasmonic Hot-Electron Capture in Au Nanoparticle/Polymeric Carbon Nitride by Pt Single Atoms for Broad-Spectrum Photocatalytic H<sub>2</sub> Evolution
Gao, Manyi, Tian, Fenyang, Zhang, Xin, Chen, Zhaoyu, Yang, Weiwei and Yu, Yongsheng (2023). Improved Plasmonic Hot-Electron Capture in Au Nanoparticle/Polymeric Carbon Nitride by Pt Single Atoms for Broad-Spectrum Photocatalytic H2 Evolution. Nano-Micro Letters, 15 (1) 129. doi: 10.1007/s40820-023-01098-2
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Cheng Zhang is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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19F MRI Imaging Agents for Disease Detection
The aim of this project is to develop new magnetic resonance (MR) molecular imaging strategies that will enable the in vivo monitoring of biological processes. Specifically, we will develop novel fluorinated polymers for imaging of early markers of diseases such as melanoma, prostate cancer, malignant glioma and Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, the project involves the synthesis of new partly-fluorinated polymers having controlled architecture for the rapidly developing field of 19F MRI. Other imaging modalities, drugs and targeting ligands will be conjugated. The project aims to relate the structure of the macromolecules, determined carefully using advanced techniques such as NMR, light scattering, GPC, AFM and electron microscopy, to the performance as imaging agents. The agents will be tested in small animal (mouse) models of disease already developed by this group and our collaborators.
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High-Resolution Imaging Technologies for Advanced Battery Design
This project aims to advance the development of long-lasting sustainable batteries by innovating new polymer electrolyte additives and incorporating new imaging techniques. The use of polymer additives is one of the most economical approaches for improving battery performance. However, polymers prepared using modern techniques have a broad range of physical properties and chemical structures, obscuring how their design principles are understood. This project expects to tackle these challenges by developing a new method for producing truly discrete new polymers. The expected outcomes are new knowledge in polymer electrolytes and imaging which will result in more efficient and reliable batteries. This provides significant benefits to polymer science and Australia’s renewable battery industry.
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Preparation of Highly Effective and Versatile Discrete Molecular Transporters for the Delivery of Drugs and Probes
The design and development of new agents that enable or enhance the passage of drugs and probes across biological barriers is a goal of unsurpassed significance in the search for improved imaging molecules, diagnostics and therapies. However, the development of highly-effective molecular transporters is hindered by current synthetic strategies. As such, it is critical to be able to prepare novel monodisperse molecular transporters (Ð=1) with precise structures, compositions, and function, which are essential for their special and unique transport properties. In this project, a versatile and scalable strategy for the preparation of discrete (monodisperse) materials will be developed. This approach enables the combination of facile polymerization procedures and ubiquitous purification processes. Different types of well-defined oligomers with different charges will be synthesized and their interaction and internalization with cells will be further demonstrated.
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Developing novel imaging tool for monitoring PFAS
This project aims to innovate and evaluate novel imaging technologies for the sensitive detection, visualization, and quantification of PFAS.
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Removal of Perfluorinated Chemicals PFAS Using New Fluorinated Polymer Sorbents
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of highly persistent chemicals that are linked to a number of human diseases, however existing approaches for removal of PFAS are highly inefficient. This project aims to develop and evaluate novel, reusable polymer sorbents for effective PFAS removal. The polymer sorbents will enable efficient, selective and continuous sorption of PFAS, while maintaining excellent environmental stability for long-term implementation in practical devices. The project will develop novel polymer sorbents to revolutionize the remediation of PFAS with high technical, economic and environmental feasibility, creating a pathway to a PFAS-free world, and ultimately protecting the natural environment.
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Surface engineering of polymer sorbents for efficient PFAS capture
This project will innovate and evaluate novel and reusable ion-exchange resins enabling superior efficient, selective and continuous sorption of PFAS, while maintaining excellent environmental stability for long-term implementation of PFAS capture.
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Advanced polymer electrolytes for high-performance rechargeable batteries
The project will demonstrate, at pilot scale, a Queensland-based and patented technology to convert fluorinated chemical waste fluorinated compounds into valuable battery components. Existing treatment technologies are not efficient and economical; therefore, PFAS are widespread, posing significant environmental and health risks. This project aims to capture, recycle and convert waste by using an advanced capture and destruction technology. The proposed technology will not only create significant business opportunities for Queensland through technology licensing and translation, but also form an integral component of building a circular economy and sustainable water industry in Queensland.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the role of fluorine in advanced energy applications
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Whittaker, Dr Felicity Han
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Master Philosophy
Surface engineering of polymer sorbents for efficient PFAS capture
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Felicity Han
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Doctor Philosophy
Novel Anode Protection Technology for Advanced Batteries
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing Novel Polymer Sorbents for Efficient PFAS Capture
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianhua Guo
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of Novel Agents for PFAS Monitoring and Removal from Contaminated Sources
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristofer Thurecht
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Doctor Philosophy
Highly efficient, selective and reusable technology for long-term implementation of PFAS capture
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Whittaker
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Doctor Philosophy
Novel sorbent for selective removal of fluorinated chemicals from water
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zyta M Ziora
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Doctor Philosophy
Next-generation polymer-based solid electrolytes for advanced batteries
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Debra Bernhardt
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Doctor Philosophy
Integrated polymer membranes for PFAS removal
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianhua Guo
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Doctor Philosophy
Fluoropolymeric Ionic Conductors for Battery Technologues
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Whittaker
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Doctor Philosophy
Electrolytes and Interfaces in Rechargeable Batteries
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephen Sanderson, Professor Debra Bernhardt
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Doctor Philosophy
Sequestration of micropollutants in modified biochars by coupling adsorption and advanced oxidation/reduction processes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianhua Guo
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Perfluoropolyether (PFPE)-Containing Polymeric surfactant for Microfluidic Droplet Generation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Thomas Davis, Dr Ruirui Qiao
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Perfluoropolyether (PFPE)-Containing Polymeric Devices for Efficient Removal of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from Water Sources
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hui Peng, Dr Changkui Fu, Professor Andrew Whittaker
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Fluorinated Hydrogels as Advanced Drug Delivery Systems for Monitoring Drug Release
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hui Peng, Professor Andrew Whittaker
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Targeting hypoxic cancer stem cells with nanoparticles
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Whittaker, Dr Wenyi Gu, Associate Professor Barbara Rolfe
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Cheng Zhang directly for media enquiries about:
- PFAS
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