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
-
PFAS remediation
-
Advanced batteries
-
Polymeric biomaterials for disease detection and treatment
-
NMR and MRI of polymers
-
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
2022
Journal Article
Fast design and optimization method for an ultra-wideband perfect absorber based on artificial neural network acceleration
Zhou, Sihong, Qiu, Jun, Zhang, Cheng, Guo, Yanming, Pan, Qinghui, Zhou, Qian and Shuai, Yong (2022). Fast design and optimization method for an ultra-wideband perfect absorber based on artificial neural network acceleration. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 179 107680, 107680. doi: 10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2022.107680
2022
Journal Article
Supramolecular chiral assembly of symmetric molecules with an extended conjugated core
Wu, Jindiao, Zhang, Jianan, Liu, Yanjun, Wang, Jun, Zhang, Cheng, Yan, Jiatao, Li, Wen, Masuda, Toshio, Whittaker, Andrew K. and Zhang, Afang (2022). Supramolecular chiral assembly of symmetric molecules with an extended conjugated core. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 14 (29), 33734-33745. doi: 10.1021/acsami.2c09752
2022
Journal Article
Short-Range Diffusion Enables General Synthesis of Medium-Entropy Alloy Aerogels
Han, Guanghui, Li, Menggang, Liu, Hu, Zhang, Weiyu, He, Lin, Tian, Fenyang, Liu, Yequn, Yu, Yongsheng, Yang, Weiwei and Guo, Shaojun (2022). Short-Range Diffusion Enables General Synthesis of Medium-Entropy Alloy Aerogels. Advanced Materials, 34 (30) 2202943. doi: 10.1002/adma.202202943
2022
Journal Article
Pt nanoenzyme decorated yolk-shell nanoplatform as an oxygen generator for enhanced multi-modality imaging-guided phototherapy
Yan, Kai, Mu, Chenglong, Zhang, Cheng, Xu, Qunna, Xu, Zushun, Wang, Daquan, Jing, Xunan and Meng, Lingjie (2022). Pt nanoenzyme decorated yolk-shell nanoplatform as an oxygen generator for enhanced multi-modality imaging-guided phototherapy. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 616, 759-768. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.02.042
2022
Journal Article
Mutual-modification effect in adjacent Pt nanoparticles and single atoms with sub-nanometer inter-site distances to boost photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Gao, Manyi, Tian, Fenyang, Guo, Zhi, Zhang, Xin, Li, Zhijun, Zhou, Jing, Zhou, Xin, Yu, Yongsheng and Yang, Weiwei (2022). Mutual-modification effect in adjacent Pt nanoparticles and single atoms with sub-nanometer inter-site distances to boost photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Chemical Engineering Journal, 446 137127. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.137127
2022
Journal Article
Design and optimization of mid-infrared hot electron detector based on Al/GaAs fishnet nanostructure for CO2 sensing
Zhou, Sihong, Guo, Yanming, Zhang, Cheng, Pan, Qinghui, Zhou, Qian and Shuai, Yong (2022). Design and optimization of mid-infrared hot electron detector based on Al/GaAs fishnet nanostructure for CO2 sensing. Applied Optics, 61 (15), 4270-4277. doi: 10.1364/AO.456247
2022
Journal Article
Designing a novel dual Z-scheme Bi<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub>-ZnS/MoSe<sub>2</sub> photocatalyst for photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI)
Qiu, Longyu, Wang, Yingjun, Zhu, Chenxi, Tian, Fenyang, Zhang, Xin, Huang, Dongmei, Sheng, Jie, Yu, Yongsheng and Yang, Weiwei (2022). Designing a novel dual Z-scheme Bi2S3-ZnS/MoSe2 photocatalyst for photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI). Separation and Purification Technology, 286 120502. doi: 10.1016/j.seppur.2022.120502
2022
Journal Article
Revealing the molecular-level interactions between cationic fluorinated polymer sorbents and the major PFAS pollutant PFOA
Tan, Xiao, Sawczyk, Michał, Chang, Yixin, Wang, Yiqing, Usman, Adil, Fu, Changkui, Král, Petr, Peng, Hui, Zhang, Cheng and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2022). Revealing the molecular-level interactions between cationic fluorinated polymer sorbents and the major PFAS pollutant PFOA. Macromolecules, 55 (3) acs.macromol.1c02435, 1077-1087. doi: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c02435
2021
Journal Article
L-Cysteine capped Mo<sub>2</sub>C/Zn<sub>0.67</sub>Cd<sub>0.33</sub>S<sub> </sub>heterojunction with intimate covalent bonds enables efficient and stable H2-Releasing photocatalysis
Zhang, Xin, Tian, Fenyang, Gao, Manyi, Yang, Weiwei and Yu, Yongsheng (2021). L-Cysteine capped Mo2C/Zn0.67Cd0.33S heterojunction with intimate covalent bonds enables efficient and stable H2-Releasing photocatalysis. Chemical Engineering Journal, 428 132628. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.132628
2021
Journal Article
Building P-doped MoS<sub>2</sub>/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> layered heterojunction with a dual-internal electric field for efficient photocatalytic sterilization
Zhang, Xin, Tian, Fenyang, Lan, Xiao, Liu, Yequn, Yang, Weiwei, Zhang, Jie and Yu, Yongsheng (2021). Building P-doped MoS2/g-C3N4 layered heterojunction with a dual-internal electric field for efficient photocatalytic sterilization. Chemical Engineering Journal, 429 132588. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.132588
2021
Journal Article
Emergence of hexagonally close-packed spheres in linear block copolymer melts
Zhang, Cheng, Vigil, Daniel L., Sun, Dan, Bates, Morgan W., Loman, Tessa, Murphy, Elizabeth A., Barbon, Stephanie M., Song, Jung-Ah, Yu, Beihang, Fredrickson, Glenn H., Whittaker, Andrew K., Hawker, Craig J. and Bates, Christopher M. (2021). Emergence of hexagonally close-packed spheres in linear block copolymer melts. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 143 (35) jacs.1c03647, 14106-14114. doi: 10.1021/jacs.1c03647
2021
Journal Article
Mesoporous cobalt ferrite phosphides/reduced graphene oxide as highly effective electrocatalyst for overall water splitting
Huang, Yarong, Tian, Fenyang, Liu, Yequn, Li, Menggang, Xu, Shichong, Yu, Yongsheng, Li, Jiaming, Yang, Weiwei and Li, Haibo (2021). Mesoporous cobalt ferrite phosphides/reduced graphene oxide as highly effective electrocatalyst for overall water splitting. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 605, 667-673. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.07.117
2021
Journal Article
Activating interfacial S sites of MoS<sub>2</sub> boosts hydrogen evolution electrocatalysis
Geng, Shuo, Tian, Fenyang, Li, Menggang, Liu, Yequn, Sheng, Jie, Yang, Weiwei, Yu, Yongsheng and Hou, Yanglong (2021). Activating interfacial S sites of MoS2 boosts hydrogen evolution electrocatalysis. Nano Research, 15 (3), 1809-1816. doi: 10.1007/s12274-021-3755-7
2021
Journal Article
Industrially promising NiCoP nanorod arrays tailored with trace W and Mo atoms for boosting large-current-density overall water splitting
Guo, Xin, Li, Menggang, He, Lin, Geng, Shuo, Tian, Fenyang, Song, Ying, Yang, Weiwei and Yu, Yongsheng (2021). Industrially promising NiCoP nanorod arrays tailored with trace W and Mo atoms for boosting large-current-density overall water splitting. Nanoscale, 13 (33), 14179-14185. doi: 10.1039/d1nr03186d
2021
Journal Article
High-Index Faceted PdPtCu Ultrathin Nanorings Enable Highly Active and Stable Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysis
Li, Menggang, Tian, Fenyang, Lin, Tianshu, Tao, Lu, Guo, Xin, Chao, Yuguang, Guo, Ziqi, Zhang, Qinghua, Gu, Lin, Yang, Weiwei, Yu, Yongsheng and Guo, Shaojun (2021). High-Index Faceted PdPtCu Ultrathin Nanorings Enable Highly Active and Stable Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysis. Small Methods, 5 (6) 2100154. doi: 10.1002/smtd.202100154
2021
Journal Article
Hole-rich CoP nanosheets with an optimized d-band center for enhancing pH-universal hydrogen evolution electrocatalysis
Geng, Shuo, Tian, Fenyang, Li, Menggang, Guo, Xin, Yu, Yongsheng, Yang, Weiwei and Hou, Yanglong (2021). Hole-rich CoP nanosheets with an optimized d-band center for enhancing pH-universal hydrogen evolution electrocatalysis. Journal of Materials Chemistry a, 9 (13), 8561-8567. doi: 10.1039/d1ta00044f
2021
Journal Article
Z-Scheme Mo<sub>2</sub>C/MoS<sub>2</sub>/In<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub> dual-heterojunctions for the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(vi)
Zhang, Xin, Tian, Fenyang, Qiu, Longyu, Gao, Manyi, Yang, Weiwei, Liu, Yequn and Yu, Yongsheng (2021). Z-Scheme Mo2C/MoS2/In2S3 dual-heterojunctions for the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(vi). Journal of Materials Chemistry a, 9 (16), 10297-10303. doi: 10.1039/d1ta00999k
2021
Journal Article
Amphiphilic perfluoropolyether copolymers for the effective removal of polyfluoroalkyl substances from aqueous environments
Tan, Xiao, Zhong, Jiexi, Fu, Changkui, Dang, Huy, Han, Yanxiao, Král, Petr, Guo, Jianhua, Yuan, Zhiguo, Peng, Hui, Zhang, Cheng and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2021). Amphiphilic perfluoropolyether copolymers for the effective removal of polyfluoroalkyl substances from aqueous environments. Macromolecules, 54 (7) acs.macromol.1c00096, 3447-3457. doi: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c00096
2021
Journal Article
Interface engineering: PSS-PPy wrapping amorphous Ni-Co-P for enhancing neutral-pH hydrogen evolution reaction performance
Tian, Fenyang, Geng, Shuo, He, Lin, Huang, Yarong, Fauzi, Akhmat, Yang, Weiwei, Liu, Yequn and Yu, Yongsheng (2021). Interface engineering: PSS-PPy wrapping amorphous Ni-Co-P for enhancing neutral-pH hydrogen evolution reaction performance. Chemical Engineering Journal, 417 129232. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.129232
2021
Journal Article
Tuning the thermoresponsive properties of PEG-based fluorinated polymers and stimuli responsive drug release for switchable 19F magnetic resonance imaging
Usman, Adil, Zhang, Cheng, Zhao, Jiacheng, Peng, Hui, Kurniawan, Nyoman D., Fu, Changkui, Hill, David J. T. and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2021). Tuning the thermoresponsive properties of PEG-based fluorinated polymers and stimuli responsive drug release for switchable 19F magnetic resonance imaging. Polymer Chemistry, 12 (38), 5438-5448. doi: 10.1039/d1py00602a
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Cheng Zhang is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the role of fluorine in advanced energy applications
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Whittaker, Dr Felicity Han
-
Master Philosophy
Surface engineering of polymer sorbents for efficient PFAS capture
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Felicity Han
-
Doctor Philosophy
Novel Anode Protection Technology for Advanced Batteries
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Developing Novel Polymer Sorbents for Efficient PFAS Capture
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianhua Guo
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Novel Agents for PFAS Monitoring and Removal from Contaminated Sources
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristofer Thurecht
-
Doctor Philosophy
Highly efficient, selective and reusable technology for long-term implementation of PFAS capture
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Whittaker
-
Doctor Philosophy
Novel sorbent for selective removal of fluorinated chemicals from water
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zyta M Ziora
-
Doctor Philosophy
Next-generation polymer-based solid electrolytes for advanced batteries
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Debra Bernhardt
-
Doctor Philosophy
Integrated polymer membranes for PFAS removal
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianhua Guo
-
Doctor Philosophy
Fluoropolymeric Ionic Conductors for Battery Technologues
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Whittaker
-
Doctor Philosophy
Electrolytes and Interfaces in Rechargeable Batteries
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephen Sanderson, Professor Debra Bernhardt
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Fluorinated Hydrogels as Advanced Drug Delivery Systems for Monitoring Drug Release
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hui Peng, Professor Andrew Whittaker
-
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
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: