DR. YU ZHU
Assistant Professor of Polymer Science
Nanomaterials, Polymers, Energy Storage, Flexible Electronics
Research Interests:
We are interested in the controlled synthesis and assembly of
nanomaterials, including graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNT),
metal organic framworks, metal nanowire and nanoparticles.
Those nanomaterials exhibit exceptional intrinsic properties and
are highly desired for future energy storage and electronics
applications. We are also interested in the synthesis of novel
polymers, which are suitable as active or passive materials in a
wide range of applications such as lithium ion batteries, solid
electrolytes, organic semiconductors and flexible electronics.
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Application Focus:
Department of
Polymer Science
The University of Akron, OH
330-972-5945
[email protected]
http://nano.uakron.edu/
Biography: Dr. Yu Zhu obtained his
Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at the
University of Cologne, Germany in
2007. After his post-doctoral training
in Professor James Tour’s lab at Rice
University, Dr. Zhu joined the
Department of Polymer Science at
The University of Akron as an
Assistant Professor in 2012. Dr Zhu’s
research areas comprise synthesis
and assembly of carbon nanomaterials and polymers; the use of
those novel materials in energy
storage devices, nano-electronics and
organic electronics.
Awards/Accomplishments:
• NSF CAREER Award, 2015
• ACS PRF Young Investigator Award,
• Ohio Third Frontier TVSF Award, 2014
• Ohio COE PRESIDES, Team Leader
Energy – Rechargeable lithium battery electrode
materials, Advanced battery binder/membrane, Solid state
electrolytes, Supercapacitors
Electronics – Transparent conductor, Organic field effect
transistors, Electrochromic materials, Polymer solar cell,
Polymer templates
Polymer Composites – Nanomaterial polymer composites
Unique Capabilities:
Synthesis and characterization of nanomaterial such as
graphene and carbon nanotubes. Fabrication and test of
electrochemical energy storage devices.
Recent Publications/Patents:
1. Zou F. & Zhu Y. et. al. Metal Organic Frameworks
Derived Hierarchical Hollow NiO/Ni/Graphene
Composites for Lithium and Sodium Storage ACS Nano,
2016, 10 (1), 377–386
2. Yang, K, Zhu, Y. et. al. Patternable Conjugated Polymers
with Latent Hydrogen-Bonding on the Main Chain,
Macromolecules, ASAP, 2014
3. Tianda He & Zhu, Y. et. al. A Tough and HighPerformance Transparent Electrode from a Scalable and
Transfer-Free Method, ACS Nano 2014, 8 (5), 4782–4789
4.
Conductive film and method of making same, WO
2015,109137 A1
5.
Crosslinked polymer binders for electrochemical energy
storage devices, USPTO S/N 62/262,989
6. Transparent electrodes based on graphene and grid hybrid
structures, WO 2011112589 2011
7. Graphene-based thin films in heat circuits and methods
of making the same, WO 2012100178 and US
20120208008 2012