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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Fluorinated compounds
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Polymeric biomaterials for disease detection and treatment
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NMR and MRI of polymers
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Solid fluoropolymer electrolytes
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PFAS remediation
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 90 journal articles, including Nature Materials, Nature Reviews Materials, Chemical Reviews, Journal of the American Chemical Society, ACS Nano, Macromolecules and etc, attracting over 4,000 citations (Google Scholar). He has also successfully secured over $6 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
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
2018
Conference Publication
Solution properties of thermally sensitive macromolecules studied by high resolution NMR and MD simulations
Cheng Zhang, Wen Li, Lianxiao Liu, James Reid, Stefano Bernardi, Debra J. Searles, Hui Peng, Afang Zhang and Andrew K. Whittaker (2018). Solution properties of thermally sensitive macromolecules studied by high resolution NMR and MD simulations. 255th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, New Orleans, LA, 18-22 March 2018. WASHINGTON: AMER CHEMICAL SOC.
2018
Journal Article
Investigating the affinity of poly tert-butyl acrylate toward Toll-Like Receptor 2
Hussein, Waleed M., Choi, Phil M., Zhang, Cheng, Sierecki, Emma, Johnston, Wayne, Jia, Zhongfan, Monteiro, Michael J., Skwarczynski, Mariusz, Gambin, Yann and Toth, Istvan (2018). Investigating the affinity of poly tert-butyl acrylate toward Toll-Like Receptor 2. AIMS Allergy and Immunology, 2 (3), 141-147. doi: 10.3934/allergy.2018.3.141
2018
Conference Publication
Elucidating the impact of dispersity on the 19F NMR dynamics and MRI performance of fluorinated oligomers
Lawrence, Jimmy, Zhang, Cheng, Kim, Dong Sub, Hawker, Craig and Whittaker, Andrew (2018). Elucidating the impact of dispersity on the 19F NMR dynamics and MRI performance of fluorinated oligomers. 256th National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS) - Nanoscience, Nanotechnology and Beyond, Boston, MA USA, 19-23 August 2018. Washington, DC, USA: American Chemical Society.
2017
Journal Article
Cyclotriphosphazene, a scaffold for 19 F MRI contrast agents
Önal, Emel, Zhang, Cheng, Davarcı, Derya, İşci, Ümit, Pilet, Guillaume, Whittaker, Andrew and Dumoulin, Fabienne (2017). Cyclotriphosphazene, a scaffold for 19 F MRI contrast agents. Tetrahedron Letters, 59 (6), 521-523. doi: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2017.12.032
2017
Journal Article
Controllable synthesis of a novel magnetic core–shell nanoparticle for dual-modal imaging and pH-responsive drug delivery
Xu, Chen, Zhang, Cheng, Wang, Yingxi, Li, Liu, Li, Ling and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2017). Controllable synthesis of a novel magnetic core–shell nanoparticle for dual-modal imaging and pH-responsive drug delivery. Nanotechnology, 28 (49) 495101, 495101. doi: 10.1088/1361-6528/aa929b
2017
Journal Article
Polymeric 19F MRI agents responsive to reactive oxygen species
Fu, Changkui, Herbst, Shauna, Zhang, Cheng and Whittaker, Andrew (2017). Polymeric 19F MRI agents responsive to reactive oxygen species. Polymer Chemistry, 8 (31), 4585-4595. doi: 10.1039/c7py00986k
2017
Journal Article
Enriching CO2 Activation Sites on Graphitic Carbon Nitride with Simultaneous Introduction of Electron-Transfer Promoters for Superior Photocatalytic CO2-to-Fuel Conversion
Sun, Zhuxing, Wang, Songcan, Li, Qian, Lyu, Miaoqiang, Butburee, Teera, Luo, Bin, Wang, Haiqiang, Fischer, Julia Melisande Theresa Agatha, Zhang, Cheng, Wu, Zhongbiao and Wang, Lianzhou (2017). Enriching CO2 Activation Sites on Graphitic Carbon Nitride with Simultaneous Introduction of Electron-Transfer Promoters for Superior Photocatalytic CO2-to-Fuel Conversion. Advanced Sustainable Systems, 1 (3-4) 1700003, 1700003. doi: 10.1002/adsu.201700003
2017
Journal Article
Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly (PISA) - Control over the morphology of 19F-containing polymeric nano-objects for cell uptake and tracking
Zhao, Wei , Ta, Hang T., Zhang, Cheng and Whittaker, Andrew (2017). Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly (PISA) - Control over the morphology of 19F-containing polymeric nano-objects for cell uptake and tracking. Biomacromolecules, 18 (4), 1145-1156. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.6b01788
2017
Conference Publication
PFPE-based polymeric 19F MRI agents: a new class of contrast agents with outstanding sensitivity
Zhang, Cheng and Whittaker, Andrew (2017). PFPE-based polymeric 19F MRI agents: a new class of contrast agents with outstanding sensitivity. 253rd ACS National Meeting & Exposition, San Francisco, CA, United States, 2-6 April 2017.
2017
Journal Article
Evaluation of lipopeptides as toll-like receptor 2 ligands
Hussein, Waleed, Choi, Phil, Zhang, Cheng, Su, Mei, Sierecki, Emma, Johnston, Wayne, Fagan, Vincent, Alexandrov, Kirill, Skwarczynski, Mariusz, Gambin, Yann, Toth, Istvan and Simerska, P. (2017). Evaluation of lipopeptides as toll-like receptor 2 ligands. Current Drug Delivery, 14 (7), 935-943. doi: 10.2174/1567201813666160804114107
2016
Journal Article
Functional magnetic porous silica for T1-T2 dual-modal magnetic resonance imaging and pH-responsive drug delivery of basic drugs
Li, Ling, Zhang, Run, Guo, Yi, Zhang, Cheng, Zhao, Wei, Xu, Zhiping and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2016). Functional magnetic porous silica for T1-T2 dual-modal magnetic resonance imaging and pH-responsive drug delivery of basic drugs. Nanotechnology, 27 (48) 485702, 485702. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/27/48/485702
2016
Other Outputs
Biologically-responsive polymers for MRI: measuring temperature and ionic strength
Zhang, Cheng (2016). Biologically-responsive polymers for MRI: measuring temperature and ionic strength. PhD Thesis, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2016.794
2016
Journal Article
Ion-responsive 19F MRI contrast agents for the detection of cancer cells
Zhang, Cheng, Moonshi, Shehzahdi Shebbrin, Peng, Hui, Puttick, Simon, Reid, James, Bernardi, Stefano, Bernhardt, Debra J. and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2016). Ion-responsive 19F MRI contrast agents for the detection of cancer cells. ACS Sensors, 1 (6), 757-765. doi: 10.1021/acssensors.6b00216
2016
Journal Article
Conformation transitions of thermoresponsive dendronized polymers across the lower critical solution temperature
Zhang, Cheng, Peng, Hui, Li, Wen, Liu, Lianxiao, Puttick, Simon, Reid, James, Bernardi, Stefano, Searles, Debra J., Zhang, Afang and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2016). Conformation transitions of thermoresponsive dendronized polymers across the lower critical solution temperature. Macromolecules, 49 (3), 900-908. doi: 10.1021/acs.macromol.5b02414
2016
Conference Publication
Ion-responsive 19F MRI Contrast Agents for the Detection of Cancer Cells
Zhang, Cheng , Moonshi, Shehzahdi Shebbrin , Peng, Hui , Puttick, Simon , Reid, James , Bernardi, Stefano , Searles, Debra J. and Whittaker, Andrew (2016). Ion-responsive 19F MRI Contrast Agents for the Detection of Cancer Cells. 7th International Nanomedicine Conference, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 27-29 June 2016.
2015
Journal Article
Magnetotransport Properties of Cd3As2 Nanostructures
Zhang, Ennze, Liu, Yanwen, Wang, Weiyi, Zhang, Cheng, Zhou, Peng, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Zou, Jin and Xiu, Faxian (2015). Magnetotransport Properties of Cd3As2 Nanostructures. ACS Nano, 9 (9), 8843-8850. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.5b02243
2015
Journal Article
Conformation of Hydrophobically Modified Thermoresponsive Poly(OEGMA-co-TFEA) across the LCST Revealed by NMR and Molecular Dynamics Studies
Zhang, Cheng, Peng, Hui, Puttick, Simon, Reid, James, Bernardi, Stefano, Searles, Debra J. and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2015). Conformation of Hydrophobically Modified Thermoresponsive Poly(OEGMA-co-TFEA) across the LCST Revealed by NMR and Molecular Dynamics Studies. Macromolecules, 48 (10), 3310-3317. doi: 10.1021/acs.macromol.5b00641
2015
Conference Publication
Solution properties of EOGMA-containing macromolecules
Zhang, Cheng, Wang, Kewei, Thurecht, Kris, Puttick, Simon, Peng, Hui and Whittaker, Andrew (2015). Solution properties of EOGMA-containing macromolecules. 4th Federation of Asian Polymer Societies – International Polymer Congress, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 5-8 October 2015. Weinheim, Germany:
2015
Conference Publication
The Conformation of Hydrophobically-Modified Thermo-responsive Polymers of Poly (OEGMA-co-TFEA)
Zhang, Cheng , Reid, James , Bernardi, Stefano , Bernhardt, Debra , Peng, Hui and Whittaker, Andrew (2015). The Conformation of Hydrophobically-Modified Thermo-responsive Polymers of Poly (OEGMA-co-TFEA). 35th Australasian Polymer Symposium, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 12-15 July 2015.
2015
Conference Publication
Polymeric MRI agents for disease detection: advances and challenges
Zhang, Cheng , Wang, Kewei , Peng, Hui , Puttick, Simon , Thurecht, Kris and Whittaker, Andrew (2015). Polymeric MRI agents for disease detection: advances and challenges. 2015 International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States, 15-20 December 2015.
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
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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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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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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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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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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.
-
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.
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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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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.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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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
Understanding the role of fluorine in advanced energy applications
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Whittaker, Dr Felicity Han
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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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Master Philosophy
Surface engineering of polymer sorbents for efficient PFAS capture
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Felicity Han
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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, Dr Pradeep Dewapriya
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Doctor Philosophy
Novel Anode Protection Technology for Advanced Batteries
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lianzhou Wang
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Doctor Philosophy
New biomedical imaging tools using nanotechnology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Thomas Davis, Dr Ruirui Qiao
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Doctor Philosophy
Electrolytes and Interfaces in Rechargeable Batteries
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephen Sanderson, Professor Debra Bernhardt
Completed supervision
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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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