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

463 works between 1999 and 2025
All (463) Book (1) Journal Article (407) Other Outputs (1) Conference Publication (44) Book Chapter (10)

41 - 60 of 463 works

2024

Journal Article

Regulating thermal dynamics and gas transport of metal‐oraganic framework glass through silver composites

Zulkifli, Muhammad Yazid Bin, Chen, Ruiqi, Yao, Yuqi, Lin, Rijia, Chai, Milton, Appadoo, Dominique, Wang, Wupeng, Zhu, Zhonghua, Liang, Kang, Chen, Vicki and Hou, Jingwei (2024). Regulating thermal dynamics and gas transport of metal‐oraganic framework glass through silver composites. AIChE Journal, 70 (2) e18287, 1-16. doi: 10.1002/aic.18287

Regulating thermal dynamics and gas transport of metal‐oraganic framework glass through silver composites

2024

Journal Article

Electrochemical CO<sub>2</sub> reduction integrated with membrane/adsorption‐based CO<sub>2</sub> capture in gas‐diffusion electrodes and electrolytes

Rabiee, Hesamoddin, Yan, Penghui, Wang, Hao, Zhu, Zhonghua and Ge, Lei (2024). Electrochemical CO2 reduction integrated with membrane/adsorption‐based CO2 capture in gas‐diffusion electrodes and electrolytes. EcoEnergy, 2 (1), 3-21. doi: 10.1002/ece2.23

Electrochemical CO<sub>2</sub> reduction integrated with membrane/adsorption‐based CO<sub>2</sub> capture in gas‐diffusion electrodes and electrolytes

2024

Journal Article

Rational designing microenvironment of gas-diffusion electrodes via microgel-augmented CO2 availability for high-rate and selective CO2 electroreduction to ethylene

Rabiee, Hesamoddin, Li, Mengran, Yan, Penghui, Wu, Yuming, Zhang, Xueqin, Dorosti, Fatereh, Zhang, Xi, Ma, Beibei, Hu, Shihu, Wang, Hao, Zhu, Zhonghua and Ge, Lei (2024). Rational designing microenvironment of gas-diffusion electrodes via microgel-augmented CO2 availability for high-rate and selective CO2 electroreduction to ethylene. Advanced Science, 11 (40) 2402964, 1-14. doi: 10.1002/advs.202402964

Rational designing microenvironment of gas-diffusion electrodes via microgel-augmented CO2 availability for high-rate and selective CO2 electroreduction to ethylene

2023

Journal Article

Catalytic hydropyrolysis of biomass using natural zeolite-based catalysts

Yan, Penghui, Nur Azreena, Idris, Peng, Hong, Rabiee, Hesamoddin, Ahmed, Mohamed, Weng, Yilun, Zhu, Zhonghua, Kennedy, Eric M. and Stockenhuber, Michael (2023). Catalytic hydropyrolysis of biomass using natural zeolite-based catalysts. Chemical Engineering Journal, 476 146630, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.146630

Catalytic hydropyrolysis of biomass using natural zeolite-based catalysts

2023

Journal Article

Active Sites Decorated Nonpolar Pore-Based MOF for One-step Acquisition of C2H4 and Recovery of C3H6

Wang, Gang-Ding, Li, Yong-Zhi, Shi, Wen-Juan, Hou, Lei, Wang, Yao-Yu and Zhu, Zhonghua (2023). Active Sites Decorated Nonpolar Pore-Based MOF for One-step Acquisition of C2H4 and Recovery of C3H6. Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 62 (43) e202311654, 1-8. doi: 10.1002/anie.202311654

Active Sites Decorated Nonpolar Pore-Based MOF for One-step Acquisition of C2H4 and Recovery of C3H6

2023

Journal Article

Oxidative effects of gaseous oxygen and ozone on Australian subbituminous and bituminous coals and the implications for coal seam permeability enhancement

Gao, Shuai, Congo, Tara, Jing, Zhenhua, Aziz, Shazed, Balucan, Reydick, Zhu, Zhonghua, Pell, Stephen D. and Steel, Karen M. (2023). Oxidative effects of gaseous oxygen and ozone on Australian subbituminous and bituminous coals and the implications for coal seam permeability enhancement. Gas Science and Engineering, 118 205092, 205092. doi: 10.1016/j.jgsce.2023.205092

Oxidative effects of gaseous oxygen and ozone on Australian subbituminous and bituminous coals and the implications for coal seam permeability enhancement

2023

Journal Article

Active Sites Decorated Nonpolar Pore‐Based MOF for One‐step Acquisition of C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub> and Recovery of C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>6</sub>

Wang, Gang‐Ding, Li, Yong‐Zhi, Shi, Wen‐Juan, Hou, Lei, Wang, Yao‐Yu and Zhu, Zhonghua (2023). Active Sites Decorated Nonpolar Pore‐Based MOF for One‐step Acquisition of C2H4 and Recovery of C3H6. Angewandte Chemie, 135 (43) e202311654, 1-7. doi: 10.1002/ange.202311654

Active Sites Decorated Nonpolar Pore‐Based MOF for One‐step Acquisition of C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub> and Recovery of C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>6</sub>

2023

Journal Article

Thermoresponsive hydrogel artificial muscles

Zhang, Xi, Aziz, Shazed, Salahuddin, Bidita and Zhu, Zhonghua (2023). Thermoresponsive hydrogel artificial muscles. Matter, 6 (9), 2735-2775. doi: 10.1016/j.matt.2023.05.030

Thermoresponsive hydrogel artificial muscles

2023

Journal Article

Selective CO<sub>2</sub> hydrogenation over zeolite-based catalysts for targeted high-value products

Yan, Penghui, Peng, Hong, Vogrin, John, Rabiee, Hesamoddin and Zhu, Zhonghua (2023). Selective CO2 hydrogenation over zeolite-based catalysts for targeted high-value products. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 11 (34), 17938-17960. doi: 10.1039/d3ta03150k

Selective CO<sub>2</sub> hydrogenation over zeolite-based catalysts for targeted high-value products

2023

Journal Article

Tuning flow-through cu-based hollow fiber gas-diffusion electrode for high-efficiency carbon monoxide (CO) electroreduction to C2+products

Rabiee, Hesamoddin, Heffernan, James K., Ge, Lei, Zhang, Xueqin, Yan, Penghui, Marcellin, Esteban, Hu, Shihu, Zhu, Zhonghua, Wang, Hao and Yuan, Zhiguo (2023). Tuning flow-through cu-based hollow fiber gas-diffusion electrode for high-efficiency carbon monoxide (CO) electroreduction to C2+products. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 330 122589, 122589. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2023.122589

Tuning flow-through cu-based hollow fiber gas-diffusion electrode for high-efficiency carbon monoxide (CO) electroreduction to C2+products

2023

Journal Article

A path forward: understanding and mitigating defects in polycrystalline membranes

Dorosti, Fatereh, Ge, Lei, Wang, Hao and Zhu, Zhonghua (2023). A path forward: understanding and mitigating defects in polycrystalline membranes. Progress in Materials Science, 137 101123, 101123. doi: 10.1016/j.pmatsci.2023.101123

A path forward: understanding and mitigating defects in polycrystalline membranes

2023

Journal Article

Facile and eco-friendly approach to produce confined metal cluster catalysts

Yan, Penghui, Xi, Shibo, Peng, Hong, Mitchell, David R. G., Harvey, Luke, Drewery, Matthew, Kennedy, Eric M., Zhu, Zhonghua, Sankar, Gopinathan and Stockenhuber, Michael (2023). Facile and eco-friendly approach to produce confined metal cluster catalysts. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 145 (17), 9718-9728. doi: 10.1021/jacs.3c01304

Facile and eco-friendly approach to produce confined metal cluster catalysts

2023

Journal Article

Plant‐like tropisms in artificial muscles

Aziz, Shazed, Zhang, Xi, Naficy, Sina, Salahuddin, Bidita, Jager, Edwin W. H. and Zhu, Zhonghua (2023). Plant‐like tropisms in artificial muscles. Advanced Materials, 35 (51) e2212046, e2212046. doi: 10.1002/adma.202212046

Plant‐like tropisms in artificial muscles

2023

Journal Article

Rational construction of ultrahigh thermal stable MOF for efficient separation of MTO products and natural gas

Wang, Gang-Ding, Krishna, Rajamani, Li, Yong-Zhi, Ma, Yao-Yu, Hou, Lei, Wang, Yao-Yu and Zhu, Zhonghua (2023). Rational construction of ultrahigh thermal stable MOF for efficient separation of MTO products and natural gas. ACS Materials Letters, 5 (4), 1091-1099. doi: 10.1021/acsmaterialslett.3c00096

Rational construction of ultrahigh thermal stable MOF for efficient separation of MTO products and natural gas

2023

Journal Article

A new operando surface restructuring pathway via ion-pairing of catalyst and electrolyte for water oxidation

Zhuang, Linzhou, Li, Zhiheng, Li, Mengran, Tao, Haolan, Mao, Xin, Lian, Cheng, Ge, Lei, Du, Aijun, Xu, Zhi, Shao, Zongping and Zhu, Zhonghua (2023). A new operando surface restructuring pathway via ion-pairing of catalyst and electrolyte for water oxidation. Chemical Engineering Journal, 454 (Part 1) 140071, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.140071

A new operando surface restructuring pathway via ion-pairing of catalyst and electrolyte for water oxidation

2023

Journal Article

A novel C2H2-selective microporous Cd-MOF for C2H2/C2H4 and C2H2/CO2 separation

Li, Yong-Zhi, Krishna, Rajamani, Xu, Fan, Zhang, Wan-Fang, Sui, Yanwei, Hou, Lei, Wang, Yao-Yu and Zhu, Zhonghua (2023). A novel C2H2-selective microporous Cd-MOF for C2H2/C2H4 and C2H2/CO2 separation. Separation and Purification Technology, 306 122678, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.seppur.2022.122678

A novel C2H2-selective microporous Cd-MOF for C2H2/C2H4 and C2H2/CO2 separation

2023

Journal Article

Synthesis of zeolite from low-cost feeds and its sustainable environmental applications

Gao, Shuai, Peng, Hong, Song, Bing, Zhang, Jinxuan, Wu, Weixi, Vaughan, James, Zardo, Peter, Vogrin, John, Tulloch, Sylvia and Zhu, Zhonghua (2023). Synthesis of zeolite from low-cost feeds and its sustainable environmental applications. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 11 (1) 108995, 1-18. doi: 10.1016/j.jece.2022.108995

Synthesis of zeolite from low-cost feeds and its sustainable environmental applications

2023

Journal Article

Extraordinary separation of acetylene-containing mixtures in a honeycomb calcium-based MOF with multiple active sites

Ma, Li-Na, Wang, Zi-Han, Zhang, Lin, Hou, Lei, Wang, Yao-Yu and Zhu, Zhonghua (2023). Extraordinary separation of acetylene-containing mixtures in a honeycomb calcium-based MOF with multiple active sites. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 15 (2), 2971-2978. doi: 10.1021/acsami.2c19321

Extraordinary separation of acetylene-containing mixtures in a honeycomb calcium-based MOF with multiple active sites

2023

Journal Article

A new honeycomb MOF for C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub> purification and C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>6</sub> enrichment by separating methanol to olefin products

Zhang, Lin, Ma, Li-Na, Wang, Gang-Ding, Hou, Lei, Zhu, Zhonghua and Wang, Yao-Yu (2023). A new honeycomb MOF for C2H4 purification and C3H6 enrichment by separating methanol to olefin products. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 11 (5), 2343-2348. doi: 10.1039/d2ta08977g

A new honeycomb MOF for C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub> purification and C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>6</sub> enrichment by separating methanol to olefin products

2023

Journal Article

Dative B←N bonds based crystalline organic framework with permanent porosity for acetylene storage and separation

Wang, Weize, Wang, Linxia, Du, Fei, Wang, Gang-Ding, Hou, Lei, Zhu, Zhonghua, Liu, Bo and Wang, Yao-Yu (2023). Dative B←N bonds based crystalline organic framework with permanent porosity for acetylene storage and separation. Chemical Science, 14 (3), 533-539. doi: 10.1039/d2sc06016g

Dative B←N bonds based crystalline organic framework with permanent porosity for acetylene storage and separation

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 - 2025
    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 - 2014
    Carbon nanofiber reinforced polymer composites for automotive utilities
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    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
  • 2007 - 2010
    Development of Superflux Carbon Nanotube Membranes for Gas Separation
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2009
    CSIRO Flagship - National Hydrogen Materials Alliance Collaboration
    CSIRO Flagships Collaboration Fund
    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

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Engineering Thermoresponsive Hydrogel Actuators with Enhanced Strength and Response Speed

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Shazed Aziz

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of electrode materials for direct ammonia protonic ceramic fuel cells

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Lei Ge

  • Doctor Philosophy

    High performance adsorbents for CO2 capture

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Lei Ge

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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