Hongcai Zhou

Dr. Hongcai Zhou is a Professor of Chemistry and Materials Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University, holding the Robert A. Welch Chair in Chemistry. He specializes in the synthesis and application of porous materials such as Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), Porous Polymer Networks (PPNs), and Coordination Cages. His research focuses on advancing gas storage, catalysis, drug delivery, and environmental remediation technologies.

Education:

• Ph.D., Texas A&M University (2000)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard University (2000–2002)

Research Interests:

Dr. Zhou’s work integrates chemistry, biochemistry, and materials science to engineer porous materials with tailored properties. Key areas include MOF stability, photocatalysis, and biomedical applications like targeted drug delivery using nanocages. His group has pioneered strategies for hierarchical MOF synthesis and functionalization.

Publications:

Recent work spans light-responsive MOFs for energy transfer, MOF-derived carbon materials, and enzyme immobilization frameworks. These studies highlight advancements in sustainable materials for energy and healthcare.

Awards & Honors:

• AAAS, ACS, and RSC Fellowships (2016)
• Highly Cited Researcher (2014–2018)
• Humboldt Foundation’s Carl Friedrich Von Siemens Award (2022)

Grants & Collaborations:

His lab has secured NSF, DOE, and industry funding for projects on PFAS adsorption, carbon capture, and biomaterials. Collaborations span academia and industry, including founding the company Framergy to commercialize MOF storage technologies.

Labs & Teams:

The Zhou Group includes ~20 researchers, emphasizing interdisciplinary training. Current efforts focus on MOF-based nanomedicine, scalable MOF synthesis, and environmental applications like PFAS degradation.