Professor John Zhu
Professor

John Zhu

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53528

Background

Biography:

John Zhu is currently a Professor in the School of Chemical Engineering, UQ. He is also the inaugural Director of Carbon Energy Research Centre. He received his PhD in Chemical Engineering, UQ in 2002, then worked as a lecturer in Curtin University of Technology from 2002 to 2004. He moved back to UQ at the end of 2004 and has been working in the same school until present. He is the recipient of a number of awards and fellowships, including RK Murphy Medal 2013, Freehills Award IChemE 2011, runner up of Innovator of the Year Award International IChemE 2011, the University of Queensland Foundation Research Excellence Award 2007, an ARC Future Fellowship from 2013 to 2016, an ARC Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship from 2008 to 2012, an ARC Postdoctoral Fellowship from 2003 – 2005. In May 2012, John Zhu’s long term collaborative research with Eden Energy was recognised by Thomson Reuters Innovation Award for Innovative Collaboration between the University of Queensland and Eden Energy.

Research:

John Zhu’s research interests and expertise exist in advanced catalysis, gas adsorption and separation, direct carbon fuel cells and solid oxide fuel cells with strong application focus on clean energy and environment. His current projects include research into scale up of direct carbon fuel cells, next generation solid oxide fuel cells, hierarchically-structured bulk materials for gas storage and catalytic reaction, carbon nanotubes/MOFs composite membranes, carbon nanotube reinforced polymer composites for automotive applications, advanced plasma-assisted catalytic processes for clean energy production and air pollution control.

Teaching and Learning:

John has taught several engineering courses including Research Methods (CHEE7200), Heat and mass transfer (CHEE3002), and Engineering investigation and analysis (CHEE3010). He is currently lecturing a third year course, Reaction Engineering (CHEE3005).

Projects:

1. Transport Processes in Flexible Porous Materials for Gas Separation and Storage, ARC DP

2. Prototype test of Direct Carbon Fuel Cells, QLD Research Partnership Program

3. Carbon nanotube reinforced polymer composites for automotive applications, ARC LP

4. Development of a Novel One Step Process for Gas Conversion to Liquid, ARC LP

5. Fundamentals and practical applications of hierarchically-structured bulk materials, ARC Future Fellowship

6. Development of novel cathodes for next generation solid oxide fuel cells, ARC DP

Availability

Professor John Zhu is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Chemical Sciences Engineering

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Engineering, Xi'an Institute of Metallurgy and Construction
  • Masters (Coursework) of Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology (西安建筑科技大学)
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Search Professor John Zhu’s works on UQ eSpace

452 works between 1999 and 2025
All (452) Journal Article (396) Book Chapter (10) Conference Publication (44) Book (1) Other Outputs (1)

321 - 340 of 452 works

2010

Journal Article

Evaluation of raw coals as fuels for direct carbon fuel cells

Li, Xiang, Zhu, Zhonghua, De Marco, Roland, Bradley, John and Dicks, Andrew (2010). Evaluation of raw coals as fuels for direct carbon fuel cells. Journal of Power Sources, 195 (13), 4051-4058. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.01.048

Evaluation of raw coals as fuels for direct carbon fuel cells

2010

Journal Article

Ordered mesoporous carbons enriched with nitrogen: Application to hydrogen storage

Giraudet, Sylvain, Zhu, Zhonghua, Yao, Xiangdong and Lu, Gaoqing (2010). Ordered mesoporous carbons enriched with nitrogen: Application to hydrogen storage. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Part C: Nanomaterials, Interfaces and Hard Matter, 114 (18), 8639-8645. doi: 10.1021/jp101119r

Ordered mesoporous carbons enriched with nitrogen: Application to hydrogen storage

2010

Journal Article

Adsorption of carbon dioxide and nitrogen on single-layer aluminum nitride nanostructures studied by density functional theory

Jiao, Yan, Du, Aijun, Zhu, Zhonghua, Rudolph, Victor and Smith, Sean C. (2010). Adsorption of carbon dioxide and nitrogen on single-layer aluminum nitride nanostructures studied by density functional theory. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C: Nanomaterials, Interfaces and Hard Matter, 114 (17), 7846-7849. doi: 10.1021/jp911419k

Adsorption of carbon dioxide and nitrogen on single-layer aluminum nitride nanostructures studied by density functional theory

2010

Journal Article

Diluted magnetic semiconductor nanowires prepared by the solution-liquid-solid method

Li, Zhen, Cheng, Lina, Sun, Qiao, Zhu, Zhonghua, Riley, Mark J., Aljada, Muhsen, Cheng, Zhenxiang, Wang, Xiaolin, Hanson, Graeme R., Qiao, Shizhang, Smith, Sean C. and Lu, Gao Qing (Max) (2010). Diluted magnetic semiconductor nanowires prepared by the solution-liquid-solid method. Angewandte Chemie (International Edition), 49 (15), 2777-2781. doi: 10.1002/anie.200907021

Diluted magnetic semiconductor nanowires prepared by the solution-liquid-solid method

2010

Journal Article

Exact results on cavity cooling in a system of a two-level atom and a cavity field

Zhang, Yu-Qing, Tan, Lei, Zhu, Zhong-Hua and Liu, Li-Wei (2010). Exact results on cavity cooling in a system of a two-level atom and a cavity field. Chinese Physics B, 19 (3) 033202, 033202. doi: 10.1088/1674-1056/19/3/033202

Exact results on cavity cooling in a system of a two-level atom and a cavity field

2010

Journal Article

Partial entropy change and entanglement in the mixed state for a Jaynes-Cummings model with Kerr medium

Zhang, Yu-Qing, Tan, Lei, Zhu, Zhong-Hua, Xiong, Zu-Zhou and Liu, Li-Wei (2010). Partial entropy change and entanglement in the mixed state for a Jaynes-Cummings model with Kerr medium. Chinese Physics B, 19 (2) 024210, 024210. doi: 10.1088/1674-1056/19/2/024210

Partial entropy change and entanglement in the mixed state for a Jaynes-Cummings model with Kerr medium

2010

Journal Article

Layered perovskite Y1-xCaxBaCo4O7+delta as ceramic membranes for oxygen separation

Zhang, Kun, Zhu, Zhonghua, Ran, Ran, Shao, Zongping, Jin, Wanqin and Liu, Shaomin (2010). Layered perovskite Y1-xCaxBaCo4O7+delta as ceramic membranes for oxygen separation. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 492 (1-2), 552-558. doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2009.11.173

Layered perovskite Y1-xCaxBaCo4O7+delta as ceramic membranes for oxygen separation

2010

Journal Article

Effects of niobium doping site and concentration on the phase structure and oxygen permeability of Nb-substituted SrCoOx oxides

Zhang, Kun, Ran, Ran, Shao, Zongping, Zhu, Zhonghua, Jin, Yonggang and Liu, Shaomin (2010). Effects of niobium doping site and concentration on the phase structure and oxygen permeability of Nb-substituted SrCoOx oxides. Ceramics International, 36 (2), 635-641. doi: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2009.09.040

Effects of niobium doping site and concentration on the phase structure and oxygen permeability of Nb-substituted SrCoOx oxides

2010

Journal Article

Modification of coal as a fuel for the direct carbon fuel cell

Li, Xiang, Zhu, Zhonghua, De Marco, Roland, Bradley, John and Dicks, Andrew (2010). Modification of coal as a fuel for the direct carbon fuel cell. Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 114 (11), 3855-3862. doi: 10.1021/jp9062719

Modification of coal as a fuel for the direct carbon fuel cell

2010

Journal Article

Multifunctional Porous Graphene for Nanoelectronics and Hydrogen Storage: New Properties Revealed by First Principle Calculations

Du, Aijun, Zhu, Zhonghua and Smith, Sean C. (2010). Multifunctional Porous Graphene for Nanoelectronics and Hydrogen Storage: New Properties Revealed by First Principle Calculations. Journal of The American Chemical Society, 132 (9), 2876-2877. doi: 10.1021/ja100156d

Multifunctional Porous Graphene for Nanoelectronics and Hydrogen Storage: New Properties Revealed by First Principle Calculations

2010

Journal Article

Structural, electrical and electrochemical characterizations of SrNb0.1Co0.9O3-delta as a cathode of solid oxide fuel cells operating below 600 degrees C

Zhou, W., Jin, W. Q., Zhu, Z. H. and Shao, Z. P. (2010). Structural, electrical and electrochemical characterizations of SrNb0.1Co0.9O3-delta as a cathode of solid oxide fuel cells operating below 600 degrees C. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 35 (3), 1356-1366. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2009.11.092

Structural, electrical and electrochemical characterizations of SrNb0.1Co0.9O3-delta as a cathode of solid oxide fuel cells operating below 600 degrees C

2010

Journal Article

Microstructure and electrochemical double-layer capacitance of carbon electrodes prepared by zinc chloride activation of sugar cane bagasse

Rufford, Thomas, Jurcakova, Denisa, Khosla, Kiran, Zhu, Zhonghua and Lu, Gaoqing (2010). Microstructure and electrochemical double-layer capacitance of carbon electrodes prepared by zinc chloride activation of sugar cane bagasse. Journal of Power Sources, 193 (3), 912-918. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.08.048

Microstructure and electrochemical double-layer capacitance of carbon electrodes prepared by zinc chloride activation of sugar cane bagasse

2010

Journal Article

Effects of nitrogen doping on the structure of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and activity of Ru/CNTs in ammonia decomposition

Chen, Jiuling, Zhu, Zhong Hua, Wang, Shaobin, Ma, Qing, Rudolph, Victor and Lu, Gao Qing (2010). Effects of nitrogen doping on the structure of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and activity of Ru/CNTs in ammonia decomposition. Chemical Engineering Journal, 156 (2), 404-410. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2009.10.062

Effects of nitrogen doping on the structure of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and activity of Ru/CNTs in ammonia decomposition

2010

Conference Publication

Hydrogen adsorption on metal-carbon nanocomposite

Ding, R. G., Lu, G. Q., Yan, Z. F., Yao, X. D. and Zhu, Z. H. (2010). Hydrogen adsorption on metal-carbon nanocomposite. 7th Asia Pacific Conference on Sustainable energy and Environment Technologies, Qingdao, China, 15-18 October 2009.

Hydrogen adsorption on metal-carbon nanocomposite

2009

Journal Article

Empirical analysis of the contributions of mesopores and micropores to double-layer capacitance of carbons

Rufford, Thomas E., Hulicova-Jurcakova, Denisa, Zhu, Zhonghua and Lu, Gaoqing (2009). Empirical analysis of the contributions of mesopores and micropores to double-layer capacitance of carbons. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 113 (44), 19335-19343. doi: 10.1021/jp905975q

Empirical analysis of the contributions of mesopores and micropores to double-layer capacitance of carbons

2009

Journal Article

Production of hydrogen from methane decomposition using nanosized carbon black as catalyst in a fluidized-bed reactor

Chen, J., He, M., Wang, G., Li, Y. and Zhu, Z. (2009). Production of hydrogen from methane decomposition using nanosized carbon black as catalyst in a fluidized-bed reactor. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY, 34 (24), 9730-9736. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2009.10.030

Production of hydrogen from methane decomposition using nanosized carbon black as catalyst in a fluidized-bed reactor

2009

Journal Article

Effects of pre-treatment in air microwave plasma on the structure of CNTs and the activity of Ru/CNTs catalysts for ammonia decomposition

Chen, J, Zhu, ZH, Ma, Q, Li, L, Rudolph, V and Lu, GQ (2009). Effects of pre-treatment in air microwave plasma on the structure of CNTs and the activity of Ru/CNTs catalysts for ammonia decomposition. Catalysis Today, 148 (1-2), 97-102. doi: 10.1016/j.cattod.2009.02.005

Effects of pre-treatment in air microwave plasma on the structure of CNTs and the activity of Ru/CNTs catalysts for ammonia decomposition

2009

Journal Article

Erratum: Isoconversional Kinetic Analysis of the Combustion of Heavy Hydrocarbons (Energy fuels (2009) 23: (4003))

Li, Xiang, Chen, Jiuling, Zhu, Zhonghua, De Marco, Roland, Bradley, John and Dicks, Andrew (2009). Erratum: Isoconversional Kinetic Analysis of the Combustion of Heavy Hydrocarbons (Energy fuels (2009) 23: (4003)). Energy and Fuels, 23 (10), 5290-5290. doi: 10.1021/ef901013a

Erratum: Isoconversional Kinetic Analysis of the Combustion of Heavy Hydrocarbons (Energy fuels (2009) 23: (4003))

2009

Journal Article

Erratum: Carbon nanofibers synthesized by catalytic decomposition of methane and their electrochemical performance in a direct carbon fuel cel (Energy fuels (2009) 23: (3721))

Li, Xiang, Chen, Jiuling, Zhu, Zhonghua, De Marco, Roland, Bradley, John and Dicks, Andrew (2009). Erratum: Carbon nanofibers synthesized by catalytic decomposition of methane and their electrochemical performance in a direct carbon fuel cel (Energy fuels (2009) 23: (3721)). Energy and Fuels, 23 (10), 5290-5290. doi: 10.1021/ef901015g

Erratum: Carbon nanofibers synthesized by catalytic decomposition of methane and their electrochemical performance in a direct carbon fuel cel (Energy fuels (2009) 23: (3721))

2009

Journal Article

The effect of Fe doping on adsorption of CO2/N-2 within carbon nanotubes: a density functional theory study with dispersion corrections

Du, A., Sun, C., Zhu, Z., Lu, G., Rudolph, V. and Smith, S.C. (2009). The effect of Fe doping on adsorption of CO2/N-2 within carbon nanotubes: a density functional theory study with dispersion corrections. Nanotechnology, 20 (37) 375701, 375701-375704. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/20/37/375701

The effect of Fe doping on adsorption of CO2/N-2 within carbon nanotubes: a density functional theory study with dispersion corrections

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    Novel Metal-Organic Framework Crystal-Glass Proton-Exchange Membranes
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2028
    High performance cathode for protonic ceramic fuel cells
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2030
    ARC Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide
    ARC Centres of Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2026
    ARC Training Centre for The Global Hydrogen Economy (ARC Training Centre administered by UNSW)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024
    Insight into promotional effects of transition metal Fe on nickel/zeolite catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2024
    Sustainable Process for High Purity Alumina Production from Kaolin (RTCM Trailblazer project administered by Curtin University)
    Curtin University
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    High performance polymer fibres for recyclable composites
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    High Performance Anode for Direct Ammonia Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2020
    Manufacture of low cost SOFC
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Composites for thermal expansion matched oxygen electrodes
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Novel microwave processing of carbon nanotube/thermoplastic composites
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Integrated thin film facility for catalysis and energy materials research (ARC LIEF project administered by the University of New South Wales)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Novel Hybrid cathode for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2021
    High performance electrode materials for Reversible Solid Oxide Cells
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    A Novel Light-Weight Membrane Reactor for Converting Natural Gas to Syngas
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Value adding to agriculture waste by catalytic gasification to bio-fuel production.
    Australia-India Strategic Research Fund
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2020
    A Fundamental Study of the Breakage of Gibbsite and Smelter Grade Alumina
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Development of a novel and practical method for fabricating carbon nanotube reinforced polymer composites for automotive applications
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2017
    Prototype test of direct carbon fuel cells
    Queensland Government Smart Futures Research Partnerships Program
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2017
    Identification, characterisation and stimulation of low permeability coals (Centre for Coal Seam Gas Research Project)
    Santos Limited
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Development of novel cathodes for next generation solid oxide fuel cells
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2019
    Fundamentals and Practical Applications of Hierarchically Structured Bulk Materials
    Vice-Chancellor's Senior Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Fundamentals and Practical Applications of Hierarchically Structured Bulk Materials
    ARC Future Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    A facility for non-destructive quantification of coal structures, composition and percolation fluid flows in energy and environmental applications
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Scale up of direct carbon fuel cells
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Complete laboratory to semi-industry scale high energy milling and dispersion facility.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Transport Processes in Flexible Porous Materials for Gas Separation and Storage
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Development of a novel technology for DSP separation and soda recovery in alumina refineries
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Enabling Software and Equipment for Computational Bio- and Nano-technology
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2009
    High pressure binary absorbtion for clean energy applications
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2009
    The National hydrogen materials reference facility (ARC LIEF Administered by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Theoretical Study of Functionalized Boron Nitride Nanotubes and Their Application as Gas Sensor
    ARC Linkage International
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Development of a Novel One Step Process for Gas Conversion to Liquid
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2013
    Queensland-China Alliance in Nanomaterials for Clean Energy Technologies (QCANCET)
    Queensland Government Smart State National and International Research Alliances Program
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Scale up of Direct Carbon Fuel Cells
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    An Integrated Raman Microscope and in situ STM-TEM Analysis System
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2008
    An Integrated Fabrication and Testing Facility for Applications of Solar Energy Materials
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2012
    Development of Superflux Carbon Nanotube Membranes for Gas Separation
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Plasma-Catalytist Hybrid Process for Simultaneous Removal of NOx and SOx
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006
    LINKAGE INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP -Molecular Modelling of Growth Mechanisms and Electronic Properties of Nanostructured Metal-Oxides
    ARC Linkage International
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Novel Graphitic Mesoporous Carbon Materials for Next Generation Carbon Catalyst Supports and Carbon Electrodes
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006
    Theoretical Studies of Gas Sensing of Functionalized Boron Nitride Nanotubes Using Molecular Simulations
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2008
    Hydrogen Production by Non-thermal Plasma Assisted Catalytic Pyrolysis of Natural Gas
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2008
    Development of a Novel Flue Gas Desulphurization Technology for Alumina Refineries
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Tailoring of carbon materials for use in direct carbon fuel cells
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    The investigation of the effects of catalyst doping, element substitution and defects design in carbon materials for hydrogen storage
    ARC Linkage International
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Theoretical and Experimental Studies of Catalyst Doping and Defects in Carbon Nanotubes for Hydrogen Storage
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Availability

Professor John Zhu is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    High performance adsorbents for CO2 capture

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Lei Ge

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of high-performance cathode materials for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Lei Ge

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Polymer-metal organic frameworks composite membranes for CO2 separation

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Lei Ge, Dr Byron Villacorta

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of cathode materials for low temperature protonic ceramic fuel cells

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Hydrogel modified coiled fibre for artificial muscles

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Shazed Aziz

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of high-performance cathode materials for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Lei Ge

  • Doctor Philosophy

    High performance electrode fuel cell

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Lei Ge

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Fabrication of uniform and well-intergrown MOF membranes for gas separation

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Lei Ge, Dr Byron Villacorta

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of high-performance cathode materials for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Lei Ge

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Fabrication of uniform and well-intergrown MOF membranes for gas separation

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Lei Ge, Dr Byron Villacorta

Completed supervision

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