Prof. Zhang received his Ph.D. degree in 2019 from Zhejiang University, then he joined Prof. Dan Zhao's group at the National University of Singapore for postdoctoral research. He was promoted to Senior researcher in 2023. In 2024, he embarked on a new journey as an independent Principal Investigator at the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University. His research focuses on the critical needs in high-purity electronic chemical production and advanced energy storage devices, focusing on the precise design and construction of novel functional and confinement materials and their applications in chemical separation engineering, energy storage, and other low-carbon chemical processes.

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• Feb. 2024 – Present   School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University

• Jul. 2019 – Jan. 2024  Senior Researcher, National University of Singapore

  
  

• Mar. 2019 – Jul. 2019  Research Assistant, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University

Design, Synthesis, and Applications of Novel Functional and Confinement Materials in Separation Engineering, Process Intensification, and Advanced Energy Devices

Novel functional porous materials — MOFs, COFs, and zeolites — and their scale-up production.

Adsorptive separation and Membrane separation.

Isotopic enrichment and high-purity chemical production.

Ionogel composite materials and their applications in energy storage, sensing, and related electrochemical devices.

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https://www.x-mol.com/groups/zhaoqiang_NJU/publications

2025

1. Jiali Fu,† Qingxue Hui,† Yu-Hao Gu,† Qi Ding,* Haoning Xu, Biao Yang, Chengyu Huangfu, Qingqing Wang, Xin-Li Liu, Xin-Yi Wang, Youting Wu, Xingbang Hu, Shuai Yuan, and Zhaoqiang Zhang*. Microporous Metal-containing Hydrogen-bonded Organic Frameworks with Benchmark C2H2 Storage Density for Efficient C2H2/C2H4 and C2H2/CO2 Separations. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, DOI: anie.202514417.

2. Qingxue Hui, Xuannuo Yi, Yu-Hao Gu, Chaoyue Fang, Jiali Fu, Chengyu Huangfu, Zheng Zhou, Wei Wang, Qi Ding,* Shuai Yuan, Zhaoqiang Zhang*. Regeneration and Purification of Xenon from Exhaled Anesthetic Gas via Molecular Sieving in Ultra-microporous Materials. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2025, DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202524473.

3. Tianhao Zhu, Bohui Lyu, Peiyue Wu, Chenyi Fang, Guangcheng Wang, Guangtai Zheng, Zhaoqiang Zhang*, Sui Zhang*. A Responsive 3D Covalent Organic Framework Membrane with Tunable Pore Sizes for Molecular Sieving, Adv. Fuct. Mater. 2025, DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202505907.

4. W. Huang, Y. Li, X. Li,* Z. Zhang,* Y. Lu, M. Peng, X. Wang, Y. Zhou. Recent progress on customizable multi-dimensional carbon-supported metal–organic frameworks (Cx/MOFs) composites for efficient adsorption of gases and vapors. Sep. Purif. Technol. 2025, 363, 132203.

5. Qi Ding, Yulong Liu, Jiu Liu, Jingyue Cheng, Zhaoqiang Zhang, Kungang Chai, Sui Zhang. Ultrafast synthesis and binder-free fabrication of a monolithic metal-organic framework for efficient carbon capture. AIChE J. 2025, 71, e18673.

6. Qixing Liu, Junyu Ren, Zhaoqiang Zhang, He Li, Nengxiu Zhu, and Dan Zhao*. Mobile Constituent-Boosted Dynamic Separation of C2H2/C2H4/CO2 Ternary Mixtures in Metal–Organic Frameworks. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2025, DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c15141.

7. Qingxue Hui, Jiali Fu, Haoning Xu, Canran Wang, Qi Ding,* Wancheng Zhu, Jinhe Sun, Zheng Zhou, Youting Wu, Xingbang Hu, Zhaoqiang Zhang*. Metal-Organic Frameworks for CO2 Capture: Challenges and Efforts from Laboratory Research to Industrial Applications. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2025. DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.4c04997

8. Xiansong Shi, Qixing Liu, Haipei Shao, Chengjun Kang, He Li, Wen-Hua Li, Anwesha Mukherjee, Junyu Ren, Nengxiu Zhu, Wei Zhao, Dongchen Shi, Zhaoqiang Zhang, Yong Wang, Ming Lin, and Dan Zhao*. Polyhedral Crystal Films of Covalent Organic Frameworks. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2025, DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c07737

2024

1. Zhaoqiang Zhang, Dan Zhao. Deciphering mechanisms of CO2-selective recognition over acetylene within porous materials. Chem Bio Eng. 2024, 1, 366-380.

2. Xiansong Shi, He Li, Ting Chen, Yidan Duan, Dongchen Shi, Chengjun Kang, Zhaoqiang Zhang, Dan Zhao. Selective liquid-phase molecular sieving via thin metal-organic framework membranes with topological defects. Nature Chemical Engineering, 2024, 1, 483-439.

3. Jiyu Cui, Zhaoqiang Zhang, Lifeng Yang, Jianbo Hu, Anye Jin, Zhenglu Yang, Yue Zhao, Biao Meng, Yu Zhou, Jun Wang, Yun Su, Jun Wang, Xili Cui, Huabin Xing. A molecular sieve with ultrafast adsorption kinetics for propylene separation. Science, 2024, 383(6679), 179-183.

4. Zhensong Qiu, Jiyu Cui, Lifeng Yang, Zhaoqiang Zhang, Xian Suo, Xili Cui, Huabin Xing. Sulfonate functional ultramicroporous materials with suitable pore size and layer-stacked structure for C4 olefins purification. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 9939-9946.

5. Xiansong Shi, He Li, Ting Chen, Junyu Chen, Wei Zhao, Bidhan Chandra Patra, Chengjun Kang, Zhaoqiang Zhang, Dan Zhao. Precise separation of complex ultrafine molecules through solvating two-dimensional covalent organic framework membranes. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, DOI: 10.1002/anie.202421661.

Prior to Nanjing University

1. J. Cui, Z. Zhang, L. Yang, J. Hu, A. Jin, Z. Yang, Y. Zhao, B. Meng, Y. Zhou, J. Wang, Y. Su, J. Wang, X. Cui, H. Xing*. A molecular sieve with ultrafast adsorption kinetics for propylene separation. Science 2024, 383, 179.

2. C. Kang, Z. Zhang (Co-first author), S. Kusaka, K. Negita, A. Usadi, D. Calabro, L. Baugh, Y. Wang, X. Zou, Z. Huang*, R. Matsuda*, D. Zhao*. Covalent organic framework atropisomers with multiple gas-triggered structural flexibilities. Nat. Mater. 2023, 22, 636-643.

3. Z. Zhang#, Z. Deng#, H. Evans, D. Mullangi, C. Kang, S. Peh, Y. Wang, C. Brown, J. Wang, P. Canepa*, A. Cheetham*, D. Zhao*. Exclusive recognition of CO2 from hydrocarbons by aluminum formate with hydrogen-confined pore cavities. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145(21), 11643-11649.

4. Z. Zhang#, Y. Chen#, K. Chai, C. Kang, S. Peh, H Li, J. Ren, X. Shi, X. Han, C. Dejoie, S. Day, S. Yang*, D. Zhao*. Temperature-dependent rearrangement of gas molecules in ultramicroporous materials for tunable adsorption of CO2 and C2H2. Nat. Commun. 2023, 14, 3789.

5. Z. Zhang, C. Kang, S. Peh, D. Shi, F. Yang, Q. Liu, D. Zhao*. Efficient adsorption of acetylene over CO2 in bioinspired covalent organic frameworks. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144(33), 14992.

6. Z. Zhang, S. Peh, C. Kang, K. Yu, D. Zhao*. Efficient splitting of alkane isomers by a bismuth-based metal-organic framework with auxetic reentrant pore structures. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, 61, e202211808.

7. Z. Zhang, S. Peh, R. Krishna, C. Kang, K. Chai, Y. Wang, D. Shi, D. Zhao*. Optimal pore chemistry in an ultramicroporous metal-organic framework for benchmark inverse CO2/C2H2 separation. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.2021, 60, 17198-17204.

8. Z. Zhang, S. Peh, Y. Wang, C. Kang, W. Fan, D. Zhao*. Efficient trapping of trace acetylene from ethylene in an ultramicroporous metal-organic framework: Synergistic effect of high-density open metal and electronegative Sites. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.2020, 59, 18927-18932.

9. Z. Zhang#, Q. Yang#, X. Cui, L. Yang, Z. Bao, Q. Ren, H. Xing*. Sorting of C4 olefins with interpenetrated hybrid ultramicroporous materials by combining molecular recognition and size-sieving.Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 129, 16500-16505.

10. Q. Ding#, Z. Zhang#, Y. Liu, K. Chai, R. Krishna, S. Zhang*. One-step ethylene purification from ternary mixtures in a metal–organic framework with customized pore chemistry and shape. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.2022, 61, e202208134.

11. Z. Huang, K. Chai, C. Kang, R. Krishna*, Z. Zhang*. Commensurate stacking within confined ultramicropores boosting acetylene storage capacity and separation efficiency. Nano Res. 2023, 16, 7742-7748.

12. Z. Zhao, S. Liang, C. Kang, Z. Zhang*, L. Zhou, Z. Zhao, X. Qin, Y. Pang, H. Ji, C. Chai*. Reversing adsorption and separation of 1-phenylethanol and acetophenone in organic phase via β-ketoenamine-linked covalent organic frameworks. Chem. Eng. J. 2023, 454, 140531.

13. Z. Zhang, X. Cui, X. Jiang, Q. Ding, J. Cui, Y. Zhang, Y. Belmabkhout, K. Adil, M. Eddaoudi, H. Xing*. Efficient splitting of trans-/cis-olefins using an anion-pillared ultramicroporous metal-organic framework with guest-adaptive pore channels. Engineering 2022, 11(4), 80-86.

14. Z. Duan, Z. Zhang*, L. Zhou, Y. Zhang, Z. Zhao, F. Shen, X. Qin, K. Chai*, H. Ji. A core-shell structure of β-cyclodextrin polyisocyanate boosts selective recovery of acetophenone from petrochemical by-products. Chem. Eng. J. 2022, 442, 136191.

15. D. Li, Z. Zhang*, L. Zhou, Y. Zhang, Z. Zhao, F. Shen, X. Qin, K. Chai*, H. Ji*. From normal crosslinking to core-shell structure: improved performance of β-cyclodextrin based adsorbent toward efficient separation of acetophenone and 1-phenylethanol. Sep. Purif. Technol. 2022, 292, 120955.

16. Q. Ding#, Z. Zhang#, P. Zhang, J. Wang, X. Cui, C. He, S. Deng, H. Xing*. Control of intercrystalline diffusion in a bilayered metal−organic framework for efficient kinetic separation of propylene from propane. Chem. Eng. J. 2022, 434, 134784.

17. Z. Huang, P. Hu, J. Liu, F. Shen, Y. Zhang, K. Chai*, Y. Ying, C. Kang, Z. Zhang*, H. Ji*. Enhancing CH4/N2 separation performance within aluminum-based metal-organic frameworks: Influence of the pore structure and linker polarity. Sep. Purif. Technol. 2022, 286, 120446.

18. Z. Tan, X. Xu, Y. Wan, C. Kang, Z. Zhang*, Z. Zhao, F. Shen, K. Chai*, H. Ji. Efficient recovery of aromatic compounds from the wastewater of styrene monomer and propylene oxide co-production plant via hypercrosslinked aryl-rich starch-β-cyclodextrin polymeric sorbent. Chin. J. Chem. Eng. 2022, 49, 150-160.

19. J. Cui#, Z. Zhang#, J. Hu, L. Yang, Y. Li, L. Chen, X. Cui, H. Xing*. Geometry control of adsorption sites in sulfonate-pillared hybrid ultramicroporous materials for efficient C4 olefin separations. Chem. Eng. J. 2021, 425, 130580.

20. Z. Zhang, S. Peh, C. Kang, K. Chai, D. Zhao*. Metal-organic frameworks for C6-C8 hydrocarbon separations. EnergyChem, 2021, 3, 100057. (Review)

21. Z. Zhang, Q. Ding, J. Cui, X. Cui*, H. Xing. High and selective capture of low-concentration CO2 with an anion-functionalized ultramicroporous metal-organic framework. Sci. China Mater.2021, 64, 691-697.

22. Z. Zhang, Q. Ding, J. Cui, X. Cui*, H. Xing. Fine-tuning pore dimension in hybrid ultramicroporous materials boosting simultaneous trapping of trace alkynes from alkenes. Small2020, 16, 2005360.

23. Z. Zhang, Q. Ding, X. Cui, X. Jiang, H. Xing*. Fine-tuning and selective-binding within an anion-functionalized ultramicroporous metal-organic framework for efficient olefin/paraffin separation. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces2020, 12, 40229-40235.

24. Z. Zhang, Q. Ding, S. Peh, D. Zhao, J. Cui, X. Cui*, H. Xing. Mechano-assisted synthesis of an ultramicroporous metal-organic framework for trace CO2 capture. Chem. Commun.2020, 56, 7726-7729. (Hot Paper)

25. Z. Zhang, B. Tan, P. Wang, X. Cui, H. Xing*. Highly efficient separation of linear and branched C4 isomers with a tailor‐made metal–organic framework. AIChE J.2020, 66, e16236.

26. J. Cui, Z. Zhang*, B. Tan, Y. Zhang, P. Wang, X. Cui, H. Xing*. Efficient separation of n-butene and iso-butene by flexible ultramicroporous metal-organic frameworks with pocket-like cavities. Chem. Asian J.2019, 14, 3572-3576.

27. Y. Belmabkhout#, Z. Zhang#, K. Adil, P. Bhatt, A. Cadiau, V. Solovyeva, H. Xing, M. Eddaoudi*. Hydrocarbon recovery using ultra-microporous fluorinated MOF platform with and without uncoordinated metal sites: I- Structure properties relationships for C2H2/C2H4 and CO2/C2H2 separation. Chem. Eng. J. 2019, 359, 32-36.

28. Z. Zhang,X. Cui, L. Yang, J. Cui, Z. Bao, Q. Yang, H. Xing*. Hexafluorogermanate (GeFSIX) anion-functionalized hybrid ultramicroporous materials for efficiently trapping acetylene from ethylene. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.2018, 57, 7266-7274.

29. Z. Zhang, H. Zhang*, L. Zhu, Q. Zhang, W. Zhu*. Hierarchical porous Ca(BO2)2 microspheres: Hydrothermal-thermal conversion synthesis and their applications in heavy metal ions adsorption and solvent-free oxidation of benzyl alcohol. Chem. Eng. J. 2016, 283, 1273-1284.

30. Z. Zhang, W. Zhu*, R. Wang, L. Zhang, L. Zhu, Q. Zhang. Ionothermal confined self-organization for hierarchical porous magnesium borate superstructures as highly efficient adsorbents for dye removal. J. Mater. Chem. A. 2014, 2, 19167-19179. (Inside front cover)

31. Z. Zhang, W. Zhu*. 一维纳米硼酸盐研究进展：从基础热力学到工程实践（综述）. 化工学报 2014, 65, 2588-2619.

Other Papers

1. C. Kang, Z. Zhang, S. Xi, H. Li, A. Usadi, D. Calabro, L. Baugh, Y. Wang, D. Zhao*. Insertion of CO2 in metal ion-doped two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks. PNAS 2023, 120, e2217081120.

2. C. Kang, Z. Zhang, A. Usadi, D. Calabro, L. Baugh, K. Chai, Y. Wang, D. Zhao*. Tunable interlayer-shifting in two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks triggered by CO2 Sorption. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 20363-20371.

3. C. Kang, Z. Zhang, A. Usadi, D. Calabro, L. Baugh, K. Yu, Y. Wang, D. Zhao*. Aggregated structures of two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 3192-3199.

4. Q. Ding, Z. Zhang, C. Yu, P. Zhang, J. Wang, X. Cui, C. He, S. Deng, H. Xing*. Exploiting equilibrium-kinetic synergetic effect for separation of ethylene and ethane in a microporous metal-organic framework. Sci. Adv.2020, 6, eaaz4322.

5. C. Kang, Z. Zhang, V. Wee, A. Usadi, D. Calabro, L. Baugh, S. Wang, Y. Wang, D. Zhao*. interlayer shifting in two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2020, 142, 12995-13002.

6. C. Kang, K. Yang, Z. Zhang, A. Usadi, D. Calabro, L. Baugh, Y. Wang, J. Jiang, X. Zou, Z. Huang, D. Zhao*. Growing single crystals of two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks enabled by intermediate tracing study. Nat. Commun. 2022, 13, 1370.

7. Q. Yang, Z. Zhang, X. Sun, Y. Hu, H. Xing*, S. Dai*. Ionic liquids and derived materials for lithium batteries and sodium batteries, Chem. Soc. Rev. 2018, 47, 2020-2064.

8. L. Yang, X. Cui, Z. Zhang, Q. Yang, Z. Bao, Q. Ren, H. Xing*. An Asymmetric Anion-Pillared Metal-Organic Framework as a Multisite Adsorbent Enables Simultaneous Removal of Propyne and Propadiene from Propylene. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.2018, 57, 13145-13149.

9. W. Fan, S. Peh, Z. Zhang, H. Yuan, Z. Yang, Y. Wang, K. Chai, D. Sun, D. Zhao*. Tetrazole‐functionalized zirconium metal−organic cages for efficient C2H2/C2H4 and C2H2/CO2 separations. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.2021, 60, 17338-17343.

10. Q. Ding, Z. Zhang, C. Yu, P. Zhang, J. Wang, L. Kong, X. Cui, C. He, S. Deng, H. Xing*. Separation of propylene and propane with a microporous metal–organic framework via equilibrium‐kinetic synergetic effect. AIChE J.2021, 67, e17094.

11. Q. Wang, J. Hu, L. Yang, Z. Zhang, T. Ke, X. Cui*, H. Xing*. One-step removal of alkynes and propadiene from cracking gases using a multi-functional molecular separator. Nat. Commun. 2022, 13, 2955.

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