Technical Interests

  • Synthesis, processing and application development of biobased polymer materials; Polymer toughening and reinforcing; Structure and properties of polymer blends and composites; Polymer foaming and fiber spinning technologies

Education

  • Ph.D., Polymer Science, 1997 – University of Massachusetts Lowell, MA
  • M.Eng., Technology of Fine Chemicals, 1991 – Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
  • B.Eng., Dyeing & Finishing, 1984 – Suzhou Institute of Silk Textile Technology, Suzhou, China

Professional Experience

  • 2004 – present, Faculty, Composite Materials & Engineering Center, WSU
  • 2004 – present, Faculty, Materials Science Program, WSU
  • 2009 – present, Affiliate Faculty, Department of Chemistry, WSU
  • 2005 – present, Affiliate Faculty, School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering., WSU
  • 2000 – 2003, Research Associate, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • 1997 – 1999, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
  • 1997 – 1997, Consulting Chemist, Bio-Crystals Corporation, Boston, MA

Publications

  • Ma, R., M. Guo, K.T. Lin, V.R. Hebert, J. Zhang, M.P. Wolcott, M. Quintero, K.K Ramasamy, X. Chen, and X. Zhang. 2016. Peracetic acid depolymerization of biorefinery lignin for production of selective monomeric phenolic compounds. Chemistry-A European Journal. DOI: 10.1002/chem.201600546. 22(31):10884-10891.
  • Guo, X., J. Xin, M.P. Wolcott and J. Zhang. 2016. Mechanochemical oleation of lignin through ball milling and properties of its blends with PLA. Chemistry Select. DOI: 10.1002/slct.201600633. 1(13):3449-3454.
  • Xin, J., M. Li, R. Li, M.P. Wolcott, and J. Zhang.  2016.  Green epoxy resin system based on lignin and tung oil and its application in epoxy asphalt.  ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.  DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.6b00256.  4(5):2754-2761.
  • Xin, J., P. Zhang, K. Huang and J. Zhang. 2014.  Developing Vegetable Oil-Based High Performance Thermosetting Resins.  In Soy-Based Chemicals and Materials, Chapter 13, ACS Symposium Series, Vol 1178; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC.  Chapter DOI: 10.1021/bk-2014-1178.ch013. pp. 299–313.
  • Brito, G.F., J. Xin, P. Zhang, T.J.A. Mélo and J. Zhang.  2014. Enhanced melt free radical grafting efficiency of polyethylene using a novel redox initiation method. RSC Advances, 4(5):26425-26433.
  • Xin, J., P. Zhang, K. Huang and J. Zhang.  2014. Study of green epoxy resins derived from renewable cinnamic acid and dipentene: synthesis, curing and properties. RSC Advances, 4:8525-8532.
  • Huang, K., Z. Liu, J. Zhang, S. Li, M. Li, X. Xia and Y. Zhou. 2014. Epoxy monomers derived from tung oil fatty acids and its regulable thermosets cured in two synergistic ways. BioMacromolecules, 15:837–843.
  • Zhang, P., J. Xin and J. Zhang. 2014. Effects of catalyst type and reaction parameters on one-step acrylation of soybean oil. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, DOI: 10.1021/sc400206t. 2(2):181–187.
  • Deng, S., J. Cheng, X. Guo, L. Jiang and J. Zhang. 2014. Fiber spinning of polyacrylonitrile grafted soy protein in an ionic liquid/DMSO mixture solvent. Journal of Polymer and the Environment, 22:17-26.
  • Huang, K., P. Zhang, J. Zhang, S. Li, J. Xia and Y. Zhou. 2013. Preparation of biobased epoxies using tung oil fatty acid-derived C21 diacid and C22 triacid and study of properties. Green Chemistry, 15:2466–2475.
  • Huang, K., J. Zhang, M. Li, J. Xia and Y. Zhou. 2013. Exploration of the complementary properties of biobased epoxies derived from rosin diacid and dimerized fatty acid for balanced performance. Industrial Crops & Products, 49:497–506.
  • Liu, H., X. Guo, W. Song and J. Zhang. 2013. Effects of Metal Ion Type on Ionomer-Assisted Reactive PLA Toughening. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 52:4787–4793.
  • Zhang, P. and J. Zhang. 2013. One-step acrylation of soybean oil (SO) for the preparation of SO-based macromonomers. Green Chemistry, 5:641-645.
  • Liu, B , G.Z. Guevara, J. Zhang and L. Liu. 2013. Performance enhancement of poly(lactic acid)/soy protein concentrate blends by promoting formation of network structure. Green Materials, 1:176-185.
  • Fu, Y., J. Zhang, H. Liu, W.C. Hiscox and Y. Gu. 2013. Ionic liquid-assisted exfoliation of graphite oxide for simultaneous reduction and functionalization to graphenes with improved properties. Journal of Material Chemistry A, 1:2663–2674.
  • Zhu, R., H. Liu and J. Zhang. 2012. Effects of functionality and concentration of maleated poly(lactic acid) (PLA) on morphology and properties of PLA/soy protein composites. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 51:7786–7792.
  • Liu, B., L. Jiang and J. Zhang. 2011. Extrusion foaming of poly (lactic acid)/soy protein concentrate blends. Macromolecular Materials & Engineering, 296:835-842.
  • Xin, J., P. Zhang, M.P. Wolcott, X. Zhang, and J. Zhang. 2014. Partial depolymerization of enzymolysis lignin via mild hydrogenolysis over Raney Nickel. Bioresource Technology. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2013.12.092. 155:422-426
  • Song, W., H. Liu, F. Chen, and J. Zhang. 2013. Effects of ionomer characteristics on reactions and properties of poly(lactic acid) ternary blends prepared by reactive blending. Polymer. 53:2476–2484.
  • Qin, J., H. Liu, P. Zhang, M.P. Wolcott and J. Zhang.  2014.  Use of eugenol and rosin as feedstocks for biobased epoxy resins and study of curing and performance properties.  Polymer International. DOI: 10.1002/pi.4588. 63(4):760–765
  • Qin, J., M. Wolcott and J. Zhang.  2014.  Use of polycarboxylic acid derived from partially depolymerized lignin as a curing agent for epoxy application.  ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. DOI: 10.1021/sc400227v. 2(2):188–193.
  • Liu, X.Q. and J.W. Zhang. 2010.  High performance biobased epoxy derived from rosin. Polymer International. 59:607–609.
  • Liu, B., L. Jiang, H.Z. Liu, L.L. Sun and J.W. Zhang. 2010. Different Effects of Water and Glycerol on Morphology and Properties of Poly(lactic acid)/Soy Protein Concentrate Blends. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering. 295(2):123-129.
  • Liu, X., Y. Wang, Y. Cao, V. Yadama, M. Xian and J. Zhang. 2011. Study of dextrin-derived curing agent for waterborne epoxy adhesive. Carbohydrate Polymers. 83(3):1180-1184.
  • Liu, B., J. Zhang, L. Liu, and A.T. Hotchkiss. 2011. Preparation and properties of water and glycerol-plasticized sugar beet pulp materials. Journal of Polymer and the Environment. 19, 559–567.
  • Liu, H., L. Guo, X. Guo, and J. Zhang. 2012. Effects of reactive blending temperature on impact toughness of poly(lactic acid) ternary blends. Polymer. 53:272–276.
  • Chen, F. and J.W. Zhang. 2010. In-situ poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/soy protein concentrate composites: Effects of compatibilization and composition on properties. Polymer. 51(8):1812-1819.
  • Anderson, S., J. Zhang and M.P. Wolcott.  2013.  Effect of interfacial modifiers on mechanical and physical properties of the PHB composite with high wood flour content.  Journal of Polymers and the Environment.  21(3)631-639.
  • Jiang, L., F. Chen, J. Qian, J.J. Huang, M. Wolcott, L.S. Liu and J. Zhang. 2010. Reinforcing and toughening effects of bamboo pulp fiber on Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) fiber composites. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research.  49(2):572-577.
  • Brown, E.E., J. Zhang, and M.P. Laborie. 2011. Never-dried bacterial cellulose/fibrin composites: preparation and basic morphological and mechanical properties. Cellulose. 18:631–641.
  • Brown, E.E., M.P. Laborie, and J. Zhang. 2012. Glutaraldehyde treatment of bacterial cellulose/fibrin composites: impact on morphology, tensile and viscoelastic properties. Cellulose. 19:127–137.

Projects