chemical engineering, polymer reaction engineering, catalytic polymerization of olefins, free radical polymerization of acrylics and vinyls, kinetic modeling, process digitalization, smart polymers
471
Scopus Publications
25474
Scholar Citations
86
Scholar h-index
370
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Metallocene-catalyzed long-chain branched POE: Kinetic mechanism and structure–property relationships Feng Li, Weifeng Liu, Shiping Zhu, Yin‐Ning Zhou, Xueqing Qiu Aiche Journal, 2026 Polyolefin elastomer (POE) is widely used in photovoltaic encapsulation films but suffers from low melt strength, high extrusion energy consumption, and slow cross‐linking during melt processing. Incorporating long chain branches (LCBs) offers a promising solution for these issues. In this study, a trace amount of 1,9‐decadiene was incorporated into the ethylene/1‐octene copolymerization system catalyzed by a metallocene zirconium catalyst, significantly increasing the weight‐average molecular ( M w ) from 28.5 to 105.8 kDa. Rheological analyses confirmed enhanced zero‐shear viscosity and a pronounced decrease in viscosity with increasing frequency, indicating successful LCB formation. The long‐chain branch frequency reached 0.0667/1000C, as determined by triple‐detection gel permeation chromatography. A kinetic model was established, proposing that the insertion of 1,9‐decadiene generated macromonomers with pendant double bonds, which reinserted into ethylene‐terminated active sites and continued propagating to form LCBs. The strong consistency agreement between the experimental data and model predictions validated this mechanism.
Fluoride-Free Adhesives for Low Surface Energy Fluorinated Substrates Siqi Zheng, Yifeng Sheng, Shiqian Tan, Yuxuan Sun, Linling Li, He Zhu, Qi Zhang, Shiping Zhu Advanced Functional Materials, 2026 Designing high‐performance adhesives for fluorinated substrates, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), remains a persistent challenge due to their ultra‐low surface energy and chemical inertness. Traditionally, strong adhesion to these surfaces has relied on fluorinated additives and per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), raising serious environmental and health concerns due to their persistence and toxicity. In response to increasing regulatory scrutiny and the rising demand for sustainable materials, a universal, fluoride‐free adhesive strategy based on copolymers featuring tertiary amine and amide functionalities is introduced. By leveraging strong dipole–dipole interactions afforded by carefully selected polar monomers, robust interfacial adhesion is achieved without the use of fluorinated components. The optimized copolymers, synthesized from 2‐(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate and N,N‐dimethylacrylamide, demonstrate a record lap shear strength of 4.91 MPa on PTFE, significantly surpassing both commercial adhesives and previously reported systems. This work not only establishes a versatile and effective platform for fluoride‐free adhesion to challenging substrates but also advances the field toward next‐generation, environmentally responsible adhesive technologies.
Anti-Creep Adhesive Tapes via Trapped-Entanglement-Regulated Topological Networks Le Yao, Yi Huang, Guoqing Chen, Ziqian Zhou, He Zhu, Qi Zhang, Shiping Zhu Advanced Materials, 2026 Adhesive tapes with high adhesion strength are critical in applications from structural bonding, biomedical devices, to flexible electronics. However, their performance is fundamentally limited by creep—time‐dependent deformation under sustained stress—which leads to irreversible failure in long‐term applications. While transient non‐covalent interactions are widely engineered to enhance short‐term energy dissipation, they inherently compromise creep resistance due to their dynamic reversibility. Herein, this persistent challenge is addressed by designing anti‐creep adhesive tapes through precise topological regulation of polymer networks. By systematically comparing linear, covalent‐crosslink, and trapped‐entanglement‐dominated architectures, the entanglement‐stabilized networks are demonstrated to achieve a three‐orders‐of‐magnitude reduction in creep rate while maintaining strong interfacial adhesion. The unique combination of long‐chain entanglements and spare crosslinks enables efficient elastic energy storage without sacrificing tackiness, resolving the trade‐off between dynamic dissipation and permanent mechanical integrity. This work provides both a mechanistic framework for understanding creep in adhesive materials and a scalable strategy for developing durable, high‐performance polymer adhesives.
Supramolecular Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Network for Robust Underwater Adhesion Yi Huang, Wenlian Qiu, Zerong Li, Xinye Liu, He Zhu, Shiping Zhu, Qi Zhang ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 2026 Achieving efficient underwater adhesion has been a long-standing challenge, as the surface hydration layer impedes the adhesive contact with substrates. To address this issue, we have developed a supramolecular semi-interpenetrating polymer network (SsIPN) for pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) applications. The SsIPN combines poly(butyl acrylate)-based copolymers as both linear polymer chains and a cross-linked network. The linear polymer, acting as a fluid, effectively diffuses to repel the hydration layer, while the cross-linked network provides cohesion through chain entanglement and structural integrity. Both components feature hydrogen bonding, which not only enhances intermolecular interactions with substrates but also acts as sacrificial bonds within the gels. As a result, SsIPN tapes demonstrate outstanding water-repellent properties and underwater adhesion, achieving an adhesion strength of over 2000 N/m on glass substrates. Moreover, even after 72 h of underwater storage, the adhesive retains a peel strength of 1243 N/m due to its hydrophobic nature. This simple, robust method for producing SsIPN offers a promising approach to developing high-performance underwater adhesives.
Record-High Adhesion on Low-Surface-Energy Substrates Through Dipole–Dipole Interactions and Frictional Energy Dissipation in Fluorinated Copolymers Xinying Jing, Le Yao, Yifeng Sheng, He Lou, He Zhu, Qi Zhang, Shiping Zhu Advanced Functional Materials, 2025 Low‐surface‐energy (LSE) materials, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), are widely used in industrial applications, due to their exceptional hydrophobicity and chemical inertness. However, achieving strong adhesion to these materials has long posed a significant challenge. In this study, a high‐performance adhesive is introduced that successfully overcomes this barrier, achieving an unprecedented bonding strength of up to 3.22 MPa on LSE substrates, the highest reported to date. This breakthrough is attributed to the synergistic effects of dipole–dipole interactions and frictional energy dissipation from the polymer side chains. By employing monomers with pendant side chains, such as poly(propylene glycol) methacrylate (PPGMA), both adhesion and toughness are enhanced without requiring any surface treatments. This adhesive exhibits remarkable versatility, effectively bonding to a variety of substrates, including PTFE, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), glass, ceramics, and steel. With a simple formulation, straightforward polymerization process, and high optical clarity, this adhesive presents a cost‐effective solution with significant potential for diverse industrial applications.
Digital Strategies to Improve the Product Quality and Production Efficiency of Fluorinated Polymers: 3. AI-Assisted Modeling of Industrial Dispersion Polymerization of TFE/PPVE/HFP Xiaohui Li, Lihong Su, Jing Ru, Liyang Zhou, Shuhua Wang, Jinghui Wang, Shiping Zhu Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 2025 Modeling and simulation have provided a platform for virtual industrial production process optimization with reduced cost and time. Artificial intelligence (AI), combined with modeling and simulation, could help accelerate model development and improve model prediction capability. This work first reports kinetic modeling of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) with perfluoropropyl Vinyl Ether (PPVE), and hexafluoropropylene (HFP) in a dispersion polymerization system at an industrial scale. Furthermore, AI tools with reasoning functions are utilized for model development. The model parameters, such as critical chain lengths, partition coefficients, and Henry coefficients, are estimated by AI, which significantly reduces unknown parameters for model validation with industrial data and improves model prediction capability. The model can provide deep insight into the production process and predict the key product properties such as monomer conversion, composition, and molecular weight.
Ultra-Strong Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives via Fluorinated Monomer–Ionic Liquid Synergy for Low-Surface-Energy Substrates Tianyue Tan, Le Yao, Xiwei Guo, He Zhu, Qi Zhang, Shiping Zhu ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 2025 Low-surface-energy (LSE) materials, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), are extensively used in advanced technologies like 5G chip production and base station filters, due to their hydrophobicity, chemical resistance, low friction, and excellent dielectric properties. However, their inherent chemical inertness and nonwetting nature pose significant challenges to achieving strong adhesion. In this work, we present a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape composed of fluorinated monomers and hydrophobic ionic liquids, synthesized through a one-step, scalable process. This adhesive demonstrates an impressive bond strength of 1700 N/m on PTFE, significantly outperforming existing adhesives for LSE substrates. The enhancement arises from the strategic incorporation of ion-dipole interactions between the polar –CF3 groups in the fluorinated monomers and the ionic liquid cations, which create sacrificial bonds to improve cohesion and energy dissipation. Remarkably, this adhesive requires no surface pretreatment, maintains high transparency, and demonstrates stable adhesion even under high humidity. This work addresses a critical gap in adhesion technology for LSE materials, offering a scalable and versatile solution with diverse applications in advanced electronics, aerospace, and other industries demanding high-performance adhesives.
Tandem catalysis: A prospective method for producing ethylene/α-olefin copolymers from ethylene stock Catalysis and Reaction Engineering Division 2014 Core Programming Area at the 2014 Aiche Annual Meeting, 2014
Tandem catalysis: A prospective method for producing ethylene/α-olefin copolymers from ethylene stock Materials Engineering and Sciences Division 2014 Core Programming Area at the 2014 Aiche Annual Meeting, 2014
Reversibly coagulatable and re-dispersable polystyrene latex prepared by emulsion polymerization of styrene containing switchable amidine Materials Engineering and Sciences Division Core Programming Topic at the 2011 Aiche Annual Meeting, 2011
Protein-resistant polyurethane prepared by surface initiated ATRP of oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (OEGMA): Effects of main chain length and side chain length of graft 8th World Biomaterials Congress 2008, 2008
Radical observation and diffusion-controlled deactivation in atom-transfer radical polymerization American Chemical Society Polymer Preprints Division of Polymer Chemistry, 2002
Investigation of the adiabatic free radical copolymerization of MMA/EGDMA Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering Proceedings of the ACS Division of Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering, 1988
Chain length dependent termination for nonisothermal free radical polymerization Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering Proceedings of the ACS Division of Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering, 1988
Isobaric vapor-liquid equilibrium of isobutene-isoprene-chloromethane system at 1.03 MPa Journal of Chemical Industry and Engineering China English Edition, 1988
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Metallocene‐catalyzed long‐chain branched POE: Kinetic mechanism and structure–property relationships F Li, W Liu, S Zhu, YN Zhou, X Qiu AIChE Journal 72 (4), e70214 , 2026 2026
Fluoride‐Free Adhesives for Low Surface Energy Fluorinated Substrates S Zheng, Y Sheng, S Tan, Y Sun, L Li, H Zhu, Q Zhang, S Zhu Advanced Functional Materials 36 (25), e23689 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Anti‐Creep Adhesive Tapes via Trapped‐Entanglement‐Regulated Topological Networks L Yao, Y Huang, G Chen, Z Zhou, H Zhu, Q Zhang, S Zhu Advanced Materials 38 (7), e13105 , 2026 2026 Citations: 6
Supramolecular Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Network for Robust Underwater Adhesion Y Huang, W Qiu, Z Li, X Liu, H Zhu, S Zhu, Q Zhang ACS Applied Polymer Materials , 2026 2026
Electrodeposited thermally activated amorphous MOFs for efficient water oxidation J Yang, Y Wu, D Zhang, X Jing, Q Zhang, H Zhu, S Zhu International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 187, 151988 , 2025 2025
Record‐High Adhesion on Low‐Surface‐Energy Substrates Through Dipole–Dipole Interactions and Frictional Energy Dissipation in Fluorinated Copolymers X Jing, L Yao, Y Sheng, H Lou, H Zhu, Q Zhang, S Zhu Advanced Functional Materials 35 (48), 2507232 , 2025 2025 Citations: 6
Digital Strategies to Improve the Product Quality and Production Efficiency of Fluorinated Polymers: 3. AI-Assisted Modeling of Industrial Dispersion Polymerization of TFE/PPVE/HFP X Li, L Su, J Ru, L Zhou, S Wang, J Wang, S Zhu Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 64 (40), 19359-19373 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
AI-assisted derivation of random chain scission degradation theory for linear polymers having an arbitrary molecular weight distribution E Mastan, Z Zeng, S Zhu Polymer 334, 128731 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Ultra-Strong Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives via Fluorinated Monomer–Ionic Liquid Synergy for Low-Surface-Energy Substrates T Tan, L Yao, X Guo, H Zhu, Q Zhang, S Zhu ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 17 (37), 52993-53002 , 2025 2025
Ni3S2/NiFe-MOF heterostructure for efficient water/seawater oxidation Z Wang, X Jing, Q Zhang, H Zhu, S Zhu Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 138601 , 2025 2025 Citations: 6
Direct, uniform, and rapid Joule heating of hydrogels using alternating current Z Li, L Zhong, W Liao, B Li, S Zhu, L Shi Materials & Design 256, 114317 , 2025 2025
High‐Performance Elastomer with Excellent Resistance to Low Temperature, Aging and Solvent X Guo, R Brown, Y Dong, H Feng, Y Xiang, D Wang, Q Zhang, H Zhu, ... Advanced Functional Materials 35 (33), 2501171 , 2025 2025 Citations: 27
Hierarchically porous Mg-MOF-74 monolith with high MOF loading for carbon dioxide capture and separation J Yang, D Zhang, L Yang, Q Zhang, H Zhu, S Zhu Separation and Purification Technology 358, 130386 , 2025 2025 Citations: 15
Armored polymer-fluid gels with integrated damping and impact protection across broad temperatures G Chen, J Wu, Z Wang, H Zhu, S Zhu, Q Zhang Science Advances 11 (15), eadv5292 , 2025 2025 Citations: 28
Ionogel adhesives: from structural design to emerging applications Y Huang, H Zhu, Q Zhang, S Zhu Macromolecular Rapid Communications 46 (8), 2400973 , 2025 2025 Citations: 13
Force-indicating smart adhesives enabled by mechanochromic elastomer Y Xiang, B Zhang, C Zhang, H Zhu, Q Zhang, S Zhu Chemical Engineering Journal 508, 160875 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Ultra‐Strong Ionogel Adhesives via in situ Microphase Separation Y Huang, X Ming, Z Tang, G Chen, X Duan, H Zhu, S Zhu, Q Zhang Advanced Functional Materials 35 (11), 2417011 , 2025 2025 Citations: 22
Linkage engineering of covalent-organic frameworks for CO2 capture H Chen, J Qin, X Ruan, Q Zhang, H Zhu, S Zhu Separation and Purification Technology 354, 129378 , 2025 2025 Citations: 14
Digital strategies to improve the product quality and production efficiency of fluorinated polymers: 2. Heat removal performance of reactor with internal and external cooling … XB Zhang, YN Zhou, H Chen, ZH Luo, L Zhou, G Yu, W Liu, S Zhu Reaction Chemistry & Engineering 10 (1), 106-118 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Fracture‐resistant stretchable materials: an overview from methodology to applications X Guo, Y Dong, J Qin, Q Zhang, H Zhu, S Zhu Advanced Materials 37 (2), 2312816 , 2025 2025 Citations: 38
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Lignin: a nature-inspired sun blocker for broad-spectrum sunscreens Y Qian, X Qiu, S Zhu Green Chemistry 17 (1), 320-324 , 2015 2015 Citations: 570
Flexible and porous nanocellulose aerogels with high loadings of metal-organic framework particles for separations applications H Zhu, X Yang, E Cranston, S Zhu 2016 Citations: 495
Adsorption of fibrinogen and lysozyme on silicon grafted with poly (2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization W Feng, S Zhu, K Ishihara, JL Brash Langmuir 21 (13), 5980-5987 , 2005 2005 Citations: 456
Low-temperature, solution-processed, high-mobility polymer semiconductors for thin-film transistors H Pan, Y Li, Y Wu, P Liu, BS Ong, S Zhu, G Xu Journal of the American Chemical Society 129 (14), 4112-4113 , 2007 2007 Citations: 443
Non-biofouling materials prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization grafting of 2-methacryloloxyethyl phosphorylcholine: Separate effects of graft density and chain … W Feng, JL Brash, S Zhu Biomaterials 27 (6), 847-855 , 2006 2006 Citations: 406
Effect of long chain branching on rheological properties of metallocene polyethylene D Yan, WJ Wang, S Zhu Polymer 40 (7), 1737-1744 , 1999 1999 Citations: 326
Reversible water transportation diode: temperature‐adaptive smart Janus textile for moisture/thermal management Y Wang, X Liang, H Zhu, JH Xin, Q Zhang, S Zhu Advanced Functional Materials 30 (6), 1907851 , 2020 2020 Citations: 254
Sunscreen performance of lignin from different technical resources and their general synergistic effect with synthetic sunscreens Y Qian, X Qiu, S Zhu ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 4 (7), 4029-4035 , 2016 2016 Citations: 254
Radical trapping and termination in free-radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate S Zhu, Y Tian, AE Hamielec, DR Eaton Macromolecules 23 (4), 1144-1150 , 1990 1990 Citations: 235
CO 2-responsive diethylaminoethyl-modified lignin nanoparticles and their application as surfactants for CO 2/N 2-switchable Pickering emulsions Y Qian, Q Zhang, X Qiu, S Zhu Green chemistry 16 (12), 4963-4968 , 2014 2014 Citations: 227
Method of moments: A versatile tool for deterministic modeling of polymerization kinetics E Mastan, S Zhu European Polymer Journal 68, 139-160 , 2015 2015 Citations: 225
Atom‐transfer radical grafting polymerization of 2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine from silicon wafer surfaces W Feng, J Brash, S Zhu Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry 42 (12), 2931-2942 , 2004 2004 Citations: 219
Controlled orientation of liquid-crystalline polythiophene semiconductors for high-performance organic thin-film transistors Y Wu, P Liu, BS Ong, T Srikumar, N Zhao, G Botton, S Zhu Applied Physics Letters 86 (14) , 2005 2005 Citations: 210
Zwitterionic polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membrane with superior antifouling property Q Shi, Y Su, W Zhao, C Li, Y Hu, Z Jiang, S Zhu Journal of Membrane Science 319 (1-2), 271-278 , 2008 2008 Citations: 209
Let spiropyran help polymers feel force! M Li, Q Zhang, YN Zhou, S Zhu Progress in Polymer Science 79, 26-39 , 2018 2018 Citations: 203
A facile method for synthesis of pegylated polyethersulfone and its application in fabrication of antifouling ultrafiltration membrane Q Shi, Y Su, S Zhu, C Li, Y Zhao, Z Jiang Journal of Membrane Science 303 (1-2), 204-212 , 2007 2007 Citations: 201
Alginate Hydrogel: A Shapeable and Versatile Platform for in Situ Preparation of Metal–Organic Framework–Polymer Composites H Zhu, Q Zhang, S Zhu ACS applied materials & interfaces 8 (27), 17395-17401 , 2016 2016 Citations: 193
Radical concentrations in free radical copolymerization of MMA/EGDMA S Zhu, Y Tian, AE Hamielec, DR Eaton Polymer 31 (1), 154-159 , 1990 1990 Citations: 190
Protein resistant surfaces: Comparison of acrylate graft polymers bearing oligo-ethylene oxide and phosphorylcholine side chains W Feng, S Zhu, K Ishihara, JL Brash Biointerphases 1 (1), 50-60 , 2006 2006 Citations: 185
Direct synthesis of well-defined quaternized homopolymers and diblock copolymers via ATRP in protic media Y Li, SP Armes, X Jin, S Zhu Macromolecules 36 (22), 8268-8275 , 2003 2003 Citations: 182