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)

181 - 200 of 452 works

2016

Journal Article

Activated carbon monoliths with hierarchical pore structure from tar pitch and coal powder for the adsorption of CO2, CH4 and N2

Arami Niya, Arash, Rufford, Thomas and Zhu, Zhonghua (2016). Activated carbon monoliths with hierarchical pore structure from tar pitch and coal powder for the adsorption of CO2, CH4 and N2. Carbon, 103, 115-124. doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2016.02.098

Activated carbon monoliths with hierarchical pore structure from tar pitch and coal powder for the adsorption of CO2, CH4 and N2

2016

Journal Article

Activated carbon becomes active for oxygen reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions

Yan, Xuecheng, Jia, Yi, Odedairo, Taiwo, Zhao, Xiaojun, Jin, Zhao, Zhu, Zhonghua and Yao, Xiangdong (2016). Activated carbon becomes active for oxygen reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions. Chemical Communications, 52 (52), 8156-8159. doi: 10.1039/c6cc03687b

Activated carbon becomes active for oxygen reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions

2016

Journal Article

Amphiphobic PVDF composite membranes for anti-fouling direct contact membrane distillation

Lu, Xuemei, Peng, Yuelian, Ge, Lei, Lin, Rijia, Zhu, Zhonghua and Liu, Shaomin (2016). Amphiphobic PVDF composite membranes for anti-fouling direct contact membrane distillation. Journal of Membrane Science, 505, 61-69. doi: 10.1016/j.memsci.2015.12.042

Amphiphobic PVDF composite membranes for anti-fouling direct contact membrane distillation

2016

Journal Article

Mn2+-ion site distribution of zeolite Y (FAU, Si/Al = 1.56) depending on the ion-exchange ratio

Seo, Sung Man, Moon, Dae Jun, Suh, Jeong Min, Zhu, John and Lim, Woo Taik (2016). Mn2+-ion site distribution of zeolite Y (FAU, Si/Al = 1.56) depending on the ion-exchange ratio. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 16 (5), 4523-4533. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2016.11007

Mn2+-ion site distribution of zeolite Y (FAU, Si/Al = 1.56) depending on the ion-exchange ratio

2016

Journal Article

Preface to the special issue on "2016 Curtin-UQ Workshop on Nanostructured Electromaterials for Energy"

Jiang, San Ping, Zhu, John and Yao, Hong Mei (2016). Preface to the special issue on "2016 Curtin-UQ Workshop on Nanostructured Electromaterials for Energy". Asia-Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering, 11 (3), 326-326. doi: 10.1002/apj.2012

Preface to the special issue on "2016 Curtin-UQ Workshop on Nanostructured Electromaterials for Energy"

2016

Journal Article

Recent development on perovskite-type cathode materials based on SrCoO3-δ parent oxide for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Li, Mengran, Zhou, Wei and Zhu, Zhonghua (2016). Recent development on perovskite-type cathode materials based on SrCoO3-δ parent oxide for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. Asia-Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering, 11 (3), 370-381. doi: 10.1002/apj.2009

Recent development on perovskite-type cathode materials based on SrCoO3-δ parent oxide for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

2016

Journal Article

Propylene/propane selective mixed matrix membranes with grape-branched MOF/CNT filler

Lin, Rijia, Ge, Lei, Diao, Hui, Rudolph, Victor and Zhu, Zhonghua (2016). Propylene/propane selective mixed matrix membranes with grape-branched MOF/CNT filler. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 4 (16), 6084-6090. doi: 10.1039/c5ta10553f

Propylene/propane selective mixed matrix membranes with grape-branched MOF/CNT filler

2016

Journal Article

Uncommon pyrazoyl-carboxyl bifunctional ligand-based microporous lanthanide systems: sorption and luminescent sensing properties

Li, Gao-Peng, Liu, Ge, Li, Yong-Zhi, Hou, Lei, Wang, Yao-Yu and Zhu, Zhonghua (2016). Uncommon pyrazoyl-carboxyl bifunctional ligand-based microporous lanthanide systems: sorption and luminescent sensing properties. Inorganic Chemistry, 55 (8), 3952-3959. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6b00217

Uncommon pyrazoyl-carboxyl bifunctional ligand-based microporous lanthanide systems: sorption and luminescent sensing properties

2016

Journal Article

MnO-Co composite modified Ni-SDC anode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Zhao, Jie, Xu, Xiaoyong, Zhou, Wei and Zhu, Zhonghua (2016). MnO-Co composite modified Ni-SDC anode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells. Fuel Processing Technology, 161, 241-247. doi: 10.1016/j.fuproc.2016.08.024

MnO-Co composite modified Ni-SDC anode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

2016

Journal Article

Influences of doping Cr/Fe/Ta on the performance of Ni/CeO2 catalyst under microwave irradiation in dry reforming of CH4

Odedairo, Taiwo, Ma, Jun, Chen, Jiuling, Wang, Shaobin and Zhu, Zhonghua (2016). Influences of doping Cr/Fe/Ta on the performance of Ni/CeO2 catalyst under microwave irradiation in dry reforming of CH4. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 233, 166-177. doi: 10.1016/j.jssc.2015.10.025

Influences of doping Cr/Fe/Ta on the performance of Ni/CeO2 catalyst under microwave irradiation in dry reforming of CH4

2016

Conference Publication

Effect of hydrogen peroxide oxidation of carbon nanotube additives on the microstructure of pitch-derived activated carbon foam

Gao, Shuai, Villacorta Hernandez, Byron, Ge, Lei, Rufford, Thomas and Zhu, Zhonghua (2016). Effect of hydrogen peroxide oxidation of carbon nanotube additives on the microstructure of pitch-derived activated carbon foam. Carbon 2016, Penn State University, 10-15 July 2016.

Effect of hydrogen peroxide oxidation of carbon nanotube additives on the microstructure of pitch-derived activated carbon foam

2016

Conference Publication

CO2 adsorption on banana-peel derived hierarchical porous carbon foams

Arash Arami Niya, Zhu, Zhonghua and Rufford, Thomas (2016). CO2 adsorption on banana-peel derived hierarchical porous carbon foams. Carbon 2016, Penn State University, 10-15 July 2016.

CO2 adsorption on banana-peel derived hierarchical porous carbon foams

2016

Journal Article

A perovskite electrocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction

Xu, Xiaomin, Chen, Yubo, Zhou, Wei, Zhu, Zhonghua, Su, Chao, Liu, Meilin and Shao, Zongping (2016). A perovskite electrocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction. Advanced Materials, 28 (30), 6442-6448. doi: 10.1002/adma.201600005

A perovskite electrocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction

2016

Conference Publication

Equilibrium capacity of He, N2 and CO2 on Ga-rich PST-1 zeolite at 303 K and pressures up to 5000 kPa

Niya, Arash Arami, Rufford, Thomas, Birkett, Greg and Zhu, Zhonghua (2016). Equilibrium capacity of He, N2 and CO2 on Ga-rich PST-1 zeolite at 303 K and pressures up to 5000 kPa. 12th International Conference on the Fundamentals of Adsorption (FOA12), Friedrichshafen, Germany, 29 May-3 June 2016.

Equilibrium capacity of He, N2 and CO2 on Ga-rich PST-1 zeolite at 303 K and pressures up to 5000 kPa

2015

Journal Article

A Cationic MOF with High Uptake and Selectivity for CO2 due to Multiple CO2-Philic Sites

Wang, Hai-Hua, Shi, Wen-Juan, Hou, Lei, Li, Gao-Peng, Zhu, Zhonghua and Wang, Yao- Yu (2015). A Cationic MOF with High Uptake and Selectivity for CO2 due to Multiple CO2-Philic Sites. Chemistry - A European Journal, 21 (46), 16525-16531. doi: 10.1002/chem.201502532

A Cationic MOF with High Uptake and Selectivity for CO2 due to Multiple CO2-Philic Sites

2015

Journal Article

Nanosheets Co<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf> Interleaved with Graphene for Highly Efficient Oxygen Reduction

Odedairo, Taiwo, Yan, Xuecheng, Ma, Jun, Jiao, Yalong, Yao, Xiangdong, Du, Aijun and Zhu, Zhonghua (2015). Nanosheets Co3O4 Interleaved with Graphene for Highly Efficient Oxygen Reduction. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 7 (38), 21373-21380. doi: 10.1021/acsami.5b06063

Nanosheets Co<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf> Interleaved with Graphene for Highly Efficient Oxygen Reduction

2015

Journal Article

Comparative studies of SrCo1-xTaxO3-δ (x=0.05-0.4) oxides as cathodes for low-temperature solid-oxide fuel cells

Li, Mengran, Zhou, Wei and Zhu, Zhonghua (2015). Comparative studies of SrCo1-xTaxO3-δ (x=0.05-0.4) oxides as cathodes for low-temperature solid-oxide fuel cells. ChemElectroChem, 2 (9), 1331-1338. doi: 10.1002/celc.201500157

Comparative studies of SrCo1-xTaxO3-δ (x=0.05-0.4) oxides as cathodes for low-temperature solid-oxide fuel cells

2015

Journal Article

High activity and durability of novel perovskite electrocatalysts for water oxidation

Zhou, Wei, Zhao, Mingwen, Liang, Fengli, Smith, Sean C. and Zhu, Zhonghua (2015). High activity and durability of novel perovskite electrocatalysts for water oxidation. Materials Horizons, 2 (5), 495-501. doi: 10.1039/c5mh00096c

High activity and durability of novel perovskite electrocatalysts for water oxidation

2015

Journal Article

Structural sensitivity of mesoporous alumina for copper catalyst loading used for NO reduction in presence of CO

Patel, Archana, Shukla, Pradeep, Chen, Jiuling, Rufford, Thomas E., Wang, Shaobin, Rudolph, Victor and Zhu, Zhonghua (2015). Structural sensitivity of mesoporous alumina for copper catalyst loading used for NO reduction in presence of CO. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 101, 27-43. doi: 10.1016/j.cherd.2015.03.027

Structural sensitivity of mesoporous alumina for copper catalyst loading used for NO reduction in presence of CO

2015

Journal Article

Mixed-matrix membranes with metal-organic framework-decorated CNT fillers for efficient CO2 separation

Lin, Rijia, Ge, Lei, Liu, Shaomin, Rudolph, Victor and Zhu, Zhonghua (2015). Mixed-matrix membranes with metal-organic framework-decorated CNT fillers for efficient CO2 separation. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 7 (27), 14750-14757. doi: 10.1021/acsami.5b02680

Mixed-matrix membranes with metal-organic framework-decorated CNT fillers for efficient CO2 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 - 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

    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

  • 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

Completed supervision

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