Yanfeng Zhang
Boulder, Colorado 80302
Tel: 303-735-0266, E-mail: zhyf313[at]gmail.com

Core Strengths

Comprehensive training in chemical engineering, chemistry and material science
Expertise in zeolite membrane and mixed-matrix membrane
Hands-on experience on the synthesis and characterization of porous materials
Solid background in membrane based gas separation and filtration


Education

The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas GPA:4.0
Ph D in Chemistry, Mixed-matrix membrane for gas separation Aug 2007.
The East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China 1996-1999
Master of Science in Industrial Catalysis GPA:86/100
The East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China 1992-1996
Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering, GPA:83/100


Experience

The University of Colorado at Boulder, Chem&Bio Engineering Department
(Advisor: Rich Noble, John Falconer)
Synthesis and scale-up of high performance SAPO-34 membrane for natural gas separation and CO2 capture. Milestone achieved,
At 0.14 MPa, CO2 permeance of 6 106 mol/(m2 s Pa) (or 17,500 GPU) and CO2/CH4 selectivity >200.
At 4.6 MPa, CO2 permeance of 8.2 107 mol/(m2 s Pa) (or 2,400 GPU) and CO2/CH4 selectivity =55.
Comprehensively evaluated existing experiment techniques on the SAPO-34 membrane synthesis and developed new procedures which greatly improved membrane performance and lowered the cost.
Developed novel soaking treatment which greatly improved SAPO-34 membrane performance and reproducibility (selectivity increased by 400%, permmeance doubled).
Demonstrated that low seed density is the key factor in determining membrane quality.
Improved the permeance of SAPO-34 membranes by calcining the membrane in vacuum or inert gas (permeance doubled). Calcination in inert gas prevents the formation of coke in SAPO-34 crystals and leads to complete template removal.
Blocked the defects of SAPO-34 membrane with cyclodextrin. At 4.6 MPa, CO2/CH4 selectivity increased 30-150% at the cost of 10-20% loss of permeance.
Solved concentration polarization issue of SAPO-34 membrane by using spacer. CO2/CH4 selectivity increased by 160% and the CO2 flux increased by 80% when using Teflon spacers.
Successfully scaled up SAPO-34 membranes from 5 cm to 25 cm.
Investigated the crystal expansion in SAPO-34, A, and MFI membranes.
Characterization of defects in SAPO-34 membranes using permporosimetry.

The University of Texas at Dallas, Chemistry Department
Synthesized and characterized various nanoporous materials, mesoporous zeolites, periodic mesoporous organosilicas, carbon aerogels, carbon aerogel+zeolite composites, metal-organic frameworks and single-walled carbon nanotubes.
Developed a novel technique to produce defect-free mixed-matrix membranes based on materials with both micropores and mesopores. Studied polymer chains penetration into the mesopores and interfacial contact between the two phases.
Incorporated two novel metal-organic frameworks into Matrimid.
Single-walled carbon nanotubes were shortened, functionalized and incorporated into Matrimid membrane. Investigated gas diffusivity in the SWNT. Gas permeability was increased by 50%.
Novel periodic mesoporous organosilicas with different organic frameworks were prepared and characterized. The organic frameworks provide better interfacial contact.

The University of Texas at Dallas, Chemistry Department Sep 2002 to Sep 2004
Synthesis of new extra-large pore zeolites using aza-crown ether as template.
Synthesized aza-crown ether with different function groups. Zeolite synthesis using hydrothermal and microwave-assisted syntheses method.
Developed novel co-template of crown ether with quaternary ammonium salts for extra-large pore zeolite synthesis. Three new large pore zeolites were obtained.
Synthesized cucurbituril and investigated its templating effect in the synthesis of aluminosilicate and aluminophosphate.

China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, Shanghai Research Institute of Petrochemical Technology (SRIPT), Chemical Engineer in R&D Department July 1999 to July 2002

Oversaw the membrane research project, designed and executed the research plan, including proposal writing, cost scheduling, experiment design and project evaluation.
Developed and characterized defect-free mordenite membrane by using template-free synthesis. High water/alcohol selectivity for pervaporization separation of alcohol-water mixture was obtained.
Developed novel extraction method to remove the template in AlPO4-5 zeolite membrane, minimized the formation of defects.
Performed preliminary scale-up operation of ZSM-5 membrane reactor for the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene.

Qualifications & Skills

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
X-Ray Diffraction, XRF, Surface area and pore size analyzer.
Calorimetry, Thermogravimetric Analysis, Dynamic-mechanical Testing.
FTIR, UV-Vis, Raman, NMR, GC, HPLC, MS.

Professional Associations
American Chemical Society, North American Membranes Society.

Honors and Awards
2005 North American Membrane Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting Travel Award (Providence, RI)

Selected Publications
1. Yanfeng Zhang, Adolfo M. Avila, Hans H. Funke, John L. Falconer, Richard D. Noble, Synthesis and characterization of SAPO-34 membranes, in preparation.
2. Adolfo M. Avila, Begum Tokay, Yanfeng Zhang, John L. Falconer, Richard D. Noble, Characterization of SAPO-34 membranes with CF4 permeation, in preparation.
3. Yanfeng Zhang, Adolfo M. Avila, Hans H. Funke, John L. Falconer, Richard D. Noble, Blocking Defects in SAPO-34 Membranes with Cyclodextrin, J. Membr. Sci, 2010, 358, 7-12.
4. Yanfeng Zhang, Begum Tokay, Adolfo M. Avila, John L. Falconer, Richard D. Noble, High flux SAPO-34 membrane for CO2/CH4 separation, in preparation.
5. Yanfeng Zhang, Begum Tokay, John L. Falconer, Richard D. Noble, Template Removal from SAPO-34 Crystals and Membranes, J. Membr. Sci. in press.
6. W. Gibbons, Yanfeng Zhang, John L. Falconer, Richard D. Noble, Inhibiting crystal swelling in MFI zeolite membrane, J. Membr. Sci, 2010, 357, 54-61.

7. Shiguang Li, Moises A. Carreon, Yanfeng Zhang, Hans F. Funke, Richard D. Noble, John L. Falconer, Scale-up of SAPO-34 Membranes for CO2/CH4 Separation, J. Membr. Sci. 2010, 352, 7-13.
8. Yeny C. Hudiono, Trevor K. Carlisle, Jason E. Bara, Yanfeng Zhang, Douglas L. Gin, Richard D. Noble, A three-component mixed-matrix membrane with enhanced CO2 separation properties based on zeolites and ionic liquid materials, J. Membr. Sci. 2010, 350,117-123.
9. Adolfo M. Avila, Hans H. Funke, Yanfeng Zhang, John L. Falconer, Richard D. Noble, Concentration polarization in SAPO-34 membranes at high pressures, J. Membr. Sci. 2009, 335, 32-36.
10. Yanfeng Zhang, K. J. Balkus, I. H. Musselman, J. P. Ferraris, Mixed Matrix Membranes Composed of Matrimid and Mesoporous ZSM-5 Nanoparticles, J. Membr. Sci, 2008, 325(1), 28-39.
11. Yanfeng Zhang, K. J. Balkus, I. H. Musselman, J. P. Ferraris, Gas Permeability Properties of Mixed Matrix Matrimid Membranes Containing a Carbon Aerogel : a Material with Both Micropores and Mesopores, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res, 2008, 47(8), 2794-2802.
12.Yanfeng Zhang, K. J. Balkus, I. H. Musselman, J. P. Ferraris, Gas Permeability Properties of Matrimid Membranes Containing the Metal-Organic Framework-Cu-BPY-HFS, J. Membr. Sci, 2008, 313, 170-181.
13. K. J. Balkus, T. Pisklak,G. Hundt, J. Sibert, Yangfeng Zhang, Photoluminescent and redox active periodic mesoporous organosilicas based on 2,7-diazapyrene, Micropor. Mesopor. Mater. 2008, 112, 1-13.
14. Yanfeng Zhang, K. J. Balkus, I. H. Musselman, J. P. Ferraris, Mixed matrix membranes composed of matrimid and carbon aerogel and carbon aerogel+zeolite composite nanoparticles. PMSE Preprints, 2006, 95, 812-814
15. Yanfeng Zhang, Zhongqiang Xu, Qingling Chen, Synthesis of small crystal polycrystalline mordenite membrane, Journal of Membrane Science, 2002, 210, 361-368.
16. Yanfeng Zhang, Zhongqiang Xu, Qingling Chen, Preparation of high permselective mordenite membrane and its use for separation of alcohol/water mixture, Chinese Journal of Catalysis , 2002, 23, 235-244.
17. Yanfeng Zhang, Zhongqiang Xu, Qingling Chen, In-situ synthesis of mordenite membrane on alumina tube by hydrothermal method, Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 2001, 4, 402-404.
18. Yanfeng Zhang, Guanzhong Lu, Zhongqiang Xu, Qingling Chen, Synthesis and characterization of MFI zeolite membrane, Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 2000, 5, 447-450.

Patents
1. Yanfeng Zhang, Begum Tokay, John L. Falconer, Richard D. Noble, Novel defect blocking method for SAPO-34 membrane , in preparation.
2. Yanfeng Zhang, Adolfo M. Avila, John L. Falconer, Richard D. Noble, A simple post-treatment method to block defects in zeolite membranes , US patent, pending.
3. Yanfeng Zhang, Begum Tokay, Adolfo M. Avila, John L. Falconer, Richard D. Noble, High flux SAPO-34 membrane for CO2/CH4 separation, US patent, pending.
4. Yanfeng Zhang, Begum Tokay, John L. Falconer, Richard D. Noble, High flux SAPO-34 membranes prepared by novel calcination method, US patent pending.
5. Qingling Chen, Yanfeng Zhang, Zhongqiang Xu, Guanzhong Lu, Evaluation method for strength of molecular sieve membrane, Faming Zhuanli Shenqing Gongkai Shuomingshu (China Patent), 2003, 12 pp.
6. Qingling Chen, Yanfeng Zhang, Zhongqiang Xu, Manufacture of a mordenite membrane supported on a porous material, Faming Zhuanli Shenqing Gongkai Shuomingshu (China Patent), 2003, 11 pp.
7. Qingling Chen, Yanfeng Zhang, Zhongqiang Xu, Mordenite membrane supported on a porous material, Faming Zhuanli Shenqing Gongkai Shuomingshu (China Patent), 2003, 11 pp.