Xiangwu Zhang

Xiangwu Zhang is the Samuel S. Walker Distinguished Professor in Textile Innovation and the Associate Dean for Research in the Wilson College of Textiles at North Carolina State University. He is also an Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor and an Inaugural University Faculty Scholar at North Carolina State University.

Research

Zhang has published two books, ten book chapters, and more than 200 peer-reviewed journal articles. Zhang has also delivered over 200 presentations in international and national conferences. Zhang’s research interests focus on nanostructured and multifunctional polymer, composite, fiber, and textile materials with an emphasis on practical applications: i) energy storage and conversion, ii) chemical and biological protection,  iii) composites, and iv) nanofinishing. His research encompasses both fundamental materials studies such as synthesis and physical characterization, as well as system design and fabrication. Zhang has received over seven million dollars of research funding from the US government, foundation, and industry. Following are examples of recent research projects:

• Lithium-Ion Batteries
• Lithium-Air Batteries
• Lithium-Sulfur Batteries
• Sodium-Ion Batteries
• Supercapacitors
• Fuel Cells
• Chemical and Biological Protection Fabrics
• Nano-Finishing of Textile Fabrics
• Functional Textile Materials
• Advanced Electrospinning Systems
• Advanced Centrifugal Spinning Systems

Academic Degrees

• Postdoctoral Associate Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, 2006
• Postdoctoral Associate Center for Electrochemical Systems and Hydrogen Research, Texas A&M University, 2002
• Ph.D Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, 2001
• Dissertation Preparation and Properties of Polymeric Composites Filled with Low-Melting-Point Alloy, ,
• B.S. Polymer Materials and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, 1997
• Minor Computer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, 1997

Publications

Electrospun Nanofibers Enabled Advanced Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Zhu, J., Cheng, H., Zhu, P., Li, Y., Gao, Q., & Zhang, X. (2022), Accounts of Materials Research. https://doi.org/10.1021/accountsmr.1c00198

Fe2O3-encapsulated and Fe-Nx-containing hierarchical porous carbon spheres as efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

Gan, R., Wang, Y., Ma, W., Dirican, M., Zhao, S., Song, Y., … Shi, J. (2022), International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 47(4), 2103–2113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.10.157

Interconnected cathode-electrolyte double-layer enabling continuous Li-ion conduction throughout solid-state Li-S battery

Yan, C., Zhou, Y., Cheng, H., Orenstein, R., Zhu, P., Yildiz, O., … Zhang, X. (2022), ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS, 1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensm.2021.10.014

A liquid metal assisted dendrite-free anode for high-performance Zn-ion batteries

Jia, H., Wang, Z., Dirican, M., Qiu, S., Chan, C. Y., Fu, S., … Zhang, X. (2021), JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A, 9(9), 5597–5605. https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA11828A

Advanced Zinc Anode with Nitrogen-Doping Interface Induced by Plasma Surface Treatment

Jia, H., Qiu, M., Lan, C., Liu, H., Dirican, M., Fu, S., & Zhang, X. (2021, November 26), ADVANCED SCIENCE, Vol. 11, p. 2103952. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202103952

Carbon black-based porous sub-micron carbon fibers for flexible supercapacitors

Ma, C., Wu, L., Dirican, M., Cheng, H., Li, J., Song, Y., … Zhang, X. (2021), APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE, 537. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2020.147914

Developments of Advanced Electrospinning Techniques: A Critical Review

Li, Y., Zhu, J., Cheng, H., Li, G., Cho, H., Jiang, M., … Zhang, X. (2021, July 14), ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES, Vol. 7. https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.202100410

Disintegrable, transparent and mechanically robust high-performance antimony tin oxide/nanocellulose/polyvinyl alcohol thermal insulation films

Fang, D., Yu, H., Dirican, M., Tian, Y., Xie, J., Jia, D., … Tao, J. (2021), CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS, 8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118175

Fabrication, structure and supercapacitance of flexible porous carbon nanobelt webs with enhanced inter-fiber connection

Ma, C., Cao, E., Dirican, M., Subjalearndee, N., Cheng, H., Li, J., … Zhang, X. (2021), APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE, 543. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2020.148783

Fe3O4/Fe2O3/Fe nanoparticles anchored on N-doped hierarchically porous carbon nanospheres as a high-efficiency ORR electrocatalyst for rechargeable Zn-air batteries

Wang, Y., Gan, R., Liu, H., Dirican, M., Wei, C., Ma, C., … Zhang, X. (2021), JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A, 9(5), 2764–2774. https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA10205A

View All Publications

Organizations

• Journal of Energy Storage and Conversion - Editor-in-Chief
• Journal of textile Science and Engineering - Editorial Board Member
• Intenational Journal of Nano Science, Nano Engineering and Nanotechnology - Editorial Board Member
• Journal of Membrane Science & Technology - Editorial Board Member
• Global Journal of Physical Chemistry - Editorial Board Member
• Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society - Full Member
• The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) - Affiliate Member and Textile and Composites Engineering Technical Committee Member
• The Electrochemical Society (ECS) - Active Member
• The American Chemical Society (ACS) - Full Member
• Materials Research Society (MRS) - Full Member
• The Fiber Society - Full Member
• American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) - Member

Additional Information

Research Group Members

https://sites.textiles.ncsu.edu/zhang-research-group/