Zhang Xu

Basic Information

Name：Zhang Xu

Department: College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology

Position: Professor, PhD Supervisor

Research Direction: Efficient Conversion and Utilization of Biomass Resources

E-mail: 2005500007@mail.buct.edu.cn

Brief Introduction

Professor, PhD Supervisor. He received his Bachelor’s degree from East China University of Science and Technology, Master’s degree from the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Qingdao), and Doctoral degree from the Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He has served as a visiting scholar at the State University of New York and Washington State University in the United States. He has won First Prize of Technology Invention awarded by the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation and Second Prize of Beijing Science and Technology Progress Award.

He has published more than 60 SCI papers as the first or corresponding author in renowned journals including Bioresource Technology, Journal of Cleaner Production, Renewable Energy and Journal of Biological Macromolecules; filed 16 invention patents, among which 9 have been authorized, and 1 technology has been industrialized. He has presided over more than 10 scientific research projects (9 national-level projects included), and delivered more than 20 academic reports at domestic and international conferences (over 10 invited reports included).

He holds various academic positions, such as Editorial Board Member of Journal of Biobased Materials and Bioenergy and Journal of Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Deputy Secretary-General of the Special Committee on Bioenergy and Biochemical Engineering of China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, Member of the Biomass Energy Committee of China Renewable Energy Society, and Member of the Grease Expert Committee of the Petroleum Refining Branch of China Petroleum Institute.

Educational Experience

Work Experience

Research Fields

His research focuses on the efficient conversion of biomass resources, mainly committed to the sustainable production of biomass fuels, bulk chemicals, biodegradable materials and low-carbon foods using C1 gases and cellulose-based biomass as raw materials through biocatalysis and photoelectrochemical conversion. The specific research directions are as follows:

1. Directional depolymerization and efficiency-enhancing pretreatment technology of cellulosic biomass for alcohol production

Study the mechanism of removing anti-degradation barriers and differential disassembly strategies of multi-component cellulosic biomass, establish low-carbon, high-efficiency and clean pretreatment technologies, construct a high-value utilization technical system for disassembly by-products, and reduce the production cost of alcohol fuels.

2. Efficient production and conversion technology of microbial lipids

Cultivate oleaginous microorganisms with wastewater and extract lipids with high efficiency and low cost. Targeting the molecular structure limitations of microbial lipids, design bioenzymes and chemical catalysts directionally to realize the green and efficient conversion of bulk chemicals such as biodegradable lubricating oils and bio-jet fuels.

3. Biological, chemical and photoelectric-assisted conversion technology of C1 gases

Using biomass syngas, biomethane, carbon dioxide and other C1 gases as raw materials, study biological, chemical and photoelectric-assisted conversion technologies, open up the conversion pathway for the one-pot synthesis of multi-carbon platform compounds, and realize carbon capture and catalytic conversion.

Undergraduate Courses

Postgraduate Courses

Research Projects

Vertical Projects

1. Lignin-preferred and bio-friendly pretreatment technology for herbaceous raw materials, National Key R&D Program of China, 2022-12-01 to 2026-11-30

2. Preparation of lignin materials based on DES separation, National Key R&D Program of China, 2021-08-01 to 2024-07-31

3. China-Canada Joint Research and Innovation Center for Biomass Energy, Science and Technology Project of Provincial/Municipal Autonomous Region, 2018-08-31 to 2019-08-31

4. Green biorefinery driven by renewable energy, Other Projects, 2018-01-01 to 2019-12-31

5. Technology of bioenzyme-catalyzed production of base oil, National Key R&D Program of China, 2017-07-01 to 2021-06-30

6. Key technology for biodiesel production from microalgae cultured in desert environment, National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program), 2013-04-01 to 2016-12-01

7. Research on key technologies for low-energy production of fuel ethanol from cassava, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, 2013-01-01 to 2015-12-31

8. Key technologies for lignocellulose conversion and co-production of cellulosic ethanol, National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program), 2012-01-01 to 2015-12-31

9. Open Fund of Zhongguancun Open Laboratory, Other Projects, 2011-01-01 to 2012-12-31

10. Research on simultaneous hydrolysis technology of cellulosic biomass, Commissioned Science and Technology Project by Enterprises/Institutions, 2010-10-01 to 2012-06-30

11. New technology for biodiesel production from microbial lipids and comprehensive utilization of residues, Other Projects, 2010-01-01 to 2012-12-31

12. Development of key technologies for ultra-low emission of monosodium glutamate wastewater with an annual treatment capacity of 1.5 million tons, Other Projects, 2009-05-01 to 2010-12-31

13. Biodiesel production from starch industrial wastewater, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, 2009-01-01 to 2011-12-31

14. Immobilization technology of lipase and its application, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, 2006-12-01 to 2010-12-31

Horizontal Projects

1. Technical service contract for research on vegetable oil blending, modification and degradation, Commissioned Science and Technology Project by Enterprises/Institutions, 2024-11-18 to 2025-08-31

2. Biodegradation test of bio-composite ester synthetic lubricating oil, Commissioned Science and Technology Project by Enterprises/Institutions, 2018-10-10 to 2018-10-31

3. Research on production of vehicle fuel ethanol from energy plants pretreated with non-neutral salts, 2015-09-01 to 2017-09-01

4. Laboratory technology for oleaginous microorganism harvesting, lipid extraction and biodiesel preparation, 2013-09-01 to 2014-09-01

5. Screening of future energy plant varieties and construction of evaluation system, 2012-05-26 to 2013-05-31

6. Analysis and detection of cellulosic fuel ethanol mash from corn stover, 2012-01-05 to 2012-03-15

7. Research on biodegradability and ecotoxicity of lubricating oil, 2008-05-30 to 2008-08-31

Published Papers

2023

1. Zhao, X., Wu, Y., Zhang, L., Xin, J., Li, C., & Zhang, X. (2023). Zr0.1/(Fe–Ce) as highly efficient catalyst for direct synthesis of diethyl carbonate from ethanol with fermentation tail gas as CO2 raw material. Fuel Processing Technology.

2. Yan, Y., He, C., Zhang, L., Dong, H., & Zhang, X. (2023). Freeze-resistant, rapidly polymerizable, ionic conductive hydrogel induced by Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) after lignocellulose pretreatment for flexible sensors. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.

Before 2023

3. Zhang, L., Zhao, X., Chen, L., & Zhang, X. (2022). Pretreatment with fermentable and recyclable deep eutectic solvent (DES) for improving resource utilization of biomass. Industrial Crops and Products.

4. He, C., Guo, Z., Deng, Z., Li, S., & Zhang, X. (2022). Enzyme-catalyzed preparation of polyol ester lubricants and performance research-based on pelargonic acid, oleic acid and trimethylolpropane. Biochemical Engineering Journal.

5. Zhang, L., Zhao, X., Zhang, C., Li, C., He, C., & Zhang, X. (2022). Improving Lipid Production By Rhodotorula Glutinis For Renewable Fuel Production Based on Machine Learning. SSRN.

6. Li, C., Wu, Y., Fu, M., Zhao, X., Zhai, S., Yan, Y., Zhang, L., & Zhang, X. (2022). Preparation of Fe/N Double Doped Carbon Nanotubes from Lignin in Pennisetum as Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalysts for Zinc-Air Batteries. ACS Applied Energy Materials.

7. Zhang, C., Si, Z., Zhang, L., Li, G., Wen, J., Su, C., Wu, Y., Zhang, X., Cai, D., & Qin, P. (2022). Reusing the acetone-butanol-ethanol separated broth as the lignocellulose pretreatment liquor for fresh corn stalk biorefinery. Renewable Energy.

8. Yan, Y., Zhang, L., Zhao, X., Zhai, S., Wang, Q., Li, C., & Zhang, X. (2022). Utilization of lignin upon successive fractionation and esterification in polylactic acid (PLA)/lignin biocomposite. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.

9. Zhang, C., Si, Z., Zhang, L., Wen, J., Su, C., Chen, H., Zhao, J., Cai, D., Zhang, X., & Qin, P. (2022). Reduction wastewater discharge in second-generation acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation process by adsorptive removal of organic acids toward the broth recycling system. Journal of Cleaner Production.

10. Zhai, S., Zhang, L., Zhao, X., Wang, Q., Yan, Y., Li, C., & Zhang, X. (2021). Enzyme-catalyzed synthesis of novel solid–liquid phase change energy storage materials based on levulinic acid and 1,4 butanediol. ResearchSquare.

11. Ullah, S., Khan, S. S., Ren, Y., Zhang, X., Qin, M., Xiong, X., Krastev, R., Jan, A. U., Liu, L., & Yuan, Q. (2021). Near-infrared laser 808-nm excitable palladium nano-dots loaded on graphene oxide hybrid for the antibacterial activity. Applied Organometallic Chemistry.

12. Zhang, L., Song, Y., Wang, Q., & Zhang, X. (2021). Culturing rhodotorula glutinis in fermentation-friendly deep eutectic solvent extraction liquor of lignin for producing microbial lipid. Bioresource Technology.

13. Ma, X., Zhang, Y., Song, Z., Yu, K., He, C., & Zhang, X. (2021). Enzyme-catalyzed synthesis and properties of polyol ester biolubricant produced from Rhodotorula glutinis lipid. Biochemical Engineering Journal.

14. Gong, G., Zhang, Y., Wang, Z., Liu, L., Shi, S., Siewers, V., Yuan, Q., Nielsen, J., Zhang, X., & Liu, Z. (2021). GTR 2.0: gRNA-tRNA Array and Cas9-NG Based Genome Disruption and Single-Nucleotide Conversion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. ACS Synthetic Biology.

15. Yin, P., Yu, T., Liu, J., & Zhang, X. (2021). Harvesting of Rhodotorula glutinis via Polyaluminum Chloride or Cationic Polyacrylamide Using the Extended DLVO Theory. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology.

16. Yu, T., Yin, P., Zhang, W., Song, Y., & Zhang, X. (2021). A compounding-model comprising back propagation neural network and genetic algorithm for performance prediction of bio-based lubricant blending with functional additives. Industrial Lubrication and Tribology.

17. Song, Y., Chandra, R. P., Zhang, X., & Saddler, J. N. (2020). Non-productive celluase binding onto deep eutectic solvent (DES) extracted lignin from willow and corn stover with inhibitory effects on enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose. Carbohydrate Polymers.

18. Zhang, W., Ji, H., Song, Y., Ma, S., Xiong, W., Chen, C., Chen, B., & Zhang, X. (2020). Green preparation of branched biolubricant by chemically modifying waste cooking oil with lipase and ionic liquid. Journal of Cleaner Production.

19. Song, Y., Ji, H., Shi, X., Yang, X., & Zhang, X. (2020). Successive organic solvent fractionation and structural characterization of lignin extracted from hybrid poplar by deep eutectic solvent for improving the homogeneity and isolating narrow fractions. Renewable Energy.

20. Song, Y., Shi, X., Ma, S., Yang, X., & Zhang, X. (2020). A novel aqueous gallic acid-based natural deep eutectic solvent for delignification of hybrid poplar and enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis of treated pulp. Cellulose.

21. Zhang, W., Wu, J., Yu, S., Shen, Y., Wu, Y., Chen, B., Nie, K., & Zhang, X. (2020). Modification and synthesis of low pour point plant-based lubricants with ionic liquid catalysis. Renewable Energy.

22. Yang, X., Song, Y., Ma, S., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2020). Using gamma-valerolactone and toluenesulfonic acid to extract lignin efficiently with a combined hydrolysis factor and structure characteristics analysis of lignin. Cellulose.

23. Zhang, L., Chao, B., & Zhang, X. (2020). Modeling and optimization of microbial lipid fermentation from cellulosic ethanol wastewater by Rhodotorula glutinis based on the support vector machine. Bioresource Technology.

24. Ma, S., Yang, X., Guo, Z., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2020). Co-production of additive manufacturing composites with solid residue from enzymatic hydrolysis of reed. Journal of Cleaner Production.

25. Ma, S., Kou, L., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2020). Energy grass/polylactic acid composites and pretreatments for additive manufacturing. Cellulose.

26. Song, Y., Shi, X., Yang, X., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2020). Successive Organic Solvent Fractionation and Characterization of Heterogeneous Lignin Extracted by p-Toluenesulfonic Acid from Hybrid Poplar. Energy & Fuels.

27. Gong, G., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2020). Simultaneously enhanced intracellular lipogenesis and beta-carotene biosynthesis of Rhodotorula glutinis by light exposure with sodium acetate as the substrate. Bioresource Technology.

28. Zhang, J., Qu, X., Zhu, G., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2019). An optimum combined hydrolysis factor enhances hybrid Pennisetum pretreatment in bio-conversion. Cellulose.

29. Gong, G., Liu, L., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2019). Comparative evaluation of different carbon sources supply on simultaneous production of lipid and carotene of Rhodotorula glutinis with irradiation and the assessment of key gene transcription. Bioresource Technology.

30. Zhang, J., Liu, J., Kou, L., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2019). Bioethanol production from cellulose obtained from the catalytic hydro-deoxygenation (lignin-first refined to aviation fuel) of apple wood. Fuel.

31. Song, Y., Chandra, R. P., Zhang, X., Tan, T., & Saddler, J. N. (2019). Comparing a deep eutectic solvent (DES) to a hydrotrope for their ability to enhance the fractionation and enzymatic hydrolysis of willow and corn stover. Sustainable Energy & Fuels.

32. Gong, G., Liu, L., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2019). Multi-omics metabolism analysis on irradiation-induced oxidative stress to Rhodotorula glutinis. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology.

33. Zhang, X., Liu, M., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2018). Microbial lipid production and organic matters removal from cellulosic ethanol wastewater through coupling oleaginous yeasts and activated sludge biological method. Bioresource Technology.

34. Zhang, M., Song, Y., Tao, H., Yan, C., Masa, J., Liu, Y., Shi, X., Liu, S., Zhang, X., & Sun, Z. (2018). Lignosulfonate biomass derived N and S co-doped porous carbon for efficient oxygen reduction reaction. Sustainable Energy & Fuels.

35. Zhao, W., Duan, M., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2018). A mild extraction and separation procedure of polysaccharide, lipid, chlorophyll and protein from Chlorella spp. Renewable Energy.

36. Zhao, W., & Zhang, X. (2017). A mild extraction and separation procedure of polysaccharide, lipid, chlorophyll and protein from Chlorella spp. Renewable Energy.

37. Chao, B., Liu, R., Zhang, X., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2017). Tannin extraction pretreatment and very high gravity fermentation of acorn starch for bioethanol production. Bioresource Technology.

38. Kou, L., Song, Y., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2017). Comparison of four types of energy grasses as lignocellulosic feedstock for the production of bio-ethanol. Bioresource Technology.

39. Ji, H., Song, Y., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2017). Using a combined hydrolysis factor to balance enzymatic saccharification and the structural characteristics of lignin during pretreatment of Hybrid poplar with a fully recyclable solid acid. Bioresource Technology.

40. Ji, H., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2017). Preparation of a Water-Based Lubricant from Lignocellulosic Biomass and Its Tribological Properties. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research.

41. Zhang, X., Gong, G., & Tan, T. (2017). Biodiesel preparation from microalgae lipid by two-step lipase catalysis. Biocatalysis and Biotransformation.

42. Liu, J., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2016). Mechanistically harvesting of Chlorella vulgaris and Rhodotorula glutinis via modified montmorillonoid. Bioresource Technology.

43. Liu, M., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2016). The effect of amino acids on lipid production and nutrient removal by Rhodotorula glutinis cultivation in starch wastewater. Bioresource Technology.

44. Zhang, J., Song, Y., Wang, B., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2016). Biomass to bio-ethanol: The evaluation of hybrid Pennisetum used as raw material for bio-ethanol production compared with corn stalk by steam explosion joint use of mild chemicals. Renewable Energy.

45. Gong, G., Guo, G., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2016). Effect of ammonium-N on malic enzyme and lipid production in Rhodotorula glutinis grown on monosodium glutamate wastewater. Biocatalysis and Biotransformation.

46. Zhang, K., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2016). The production of bio-jet fuel from Botryococcus braunii liquid over a Ru/CeO2 catalyst. RSC Advances.

47. Zhang, K., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2016). The production of bio-jet fuel from Botryococcus braunii liquid over a Ru/CeO2 catalyst. RSC Advances.

48. Zhang, Y., Li, Y., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2015). Biodiesel production by direct transesterification of microalgal biomass with co-solvent. Bioresource Technology.

49. Song, Y., Zhang, J., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2015). The correlation between cellulose allomorphs (I and II) and conversion after removal of hemicellulose and lignin of lignocellulose. Bioresource Technology.

50. Chen, Y., Lou, S., Fan, L., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2015). Control of ATP concentration in Escherichia coli using synthetic small regulatory RNAs for enhanced S-adenosylmethionine production. FEMS Microbiology Letters.

51. Li, Z., Li, Y., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2015). Lipid extraction from non-broken and high water content microalgae Chlorella spp. by three-phase partitioning. Algal Research-Biomass Biofuels and Bioproducts.

52. Yong, Z., Dong, Y., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2015). Anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and straw for biogas production. Renewable Energy.

53. Yong, Z., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2015). Effects of furfural on growth and lipid accumulation of Rhodotorula glutinis. Chinese Journal of Biotechnology.

54. Ji, H., Wang, B., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2015). Synthesis of levulinic acid-based polyol ester and its influence on tribological behavior as a potential lubricant. RSC Advances.

55. Chen, Y., Xu, D., Fan, L., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2015). Manipulating multi-system of NADPH regulation in Escherichia coli for enhanced S-adenosylmethionine production. RSC Advances.

56. Zhang, Z., Ji, H., Gong, G., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2014). Synergistic effects of oleaginous yeast Rhodotorula glutinis and microalga Chlorella vulgaris for enhancement of biomass and lipid yields. Bioresource Technology.

57. Zhang, Z., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2014). Lipid and carotenoid production by Rhodotorula glutinis under irradiation/high-temperature and dark/low-temperature cultivation. Bioresource Technology.

58. Yang, T., Zhang, Z., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2014). Comparison of flocculation sedimentation and air flotation for harvesting Rhodotorula glutinis. Journal of Beijing University of Chemical Technology (Natural Science Edition).

59. Li, Z., Jiang, F., Li, Y., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2013). Simultaneously concentrating and pretreating of microalgae Chlorella spp. by three-phase partitioning. Bioresource Technology.

60. Han, J., Wang, Y., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2013). Screening of high lipid-producing strains and optimization of fermentation process using citric acid wastewater. China Brewing.

61. Li, C., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2013). Study on pyrolysis characteristics of biomass/sludge mixture. China Brewing.

62. Wan, J., Xue, S., Cong, W., & Zhang, X. (2013). Improvement of low-cost medium for Scenedesmus dimorphus based on cellular elements. The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering.

63. Zhong, N., Zhang, Z., Zhang, H., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2013). Acclimatization and screening of high lipid-producing Rhodotorula glutinis tolerant to high COD starch wastewater. Journal of Beijing University of Chemical Technology (Natural Science Edition).

64. Ji, H., Yu, J., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2012). Characteristics of an Immobilized Yeast Cell System Using Very High Gravity for the Fermentation of Ethanol. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology.

65. Zhao, G., Yu, J., Jiang, F., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2012). The effect of different trophic modes on lipid accumulation of Scenedesmus quadricauda. Bioresource Technology.

66. Guo, G., Yu, J., Yu, Y., Zhang, X., & Wang, F. (2011). The Effects of High Ammonium Sulfate Concentrations on the Growth and Fatty Acid Composition of Rhodotorula glutinis. Journal of Biobased Materials and Bioenergy.

67. Ma, X., Yue, G., Yu, J., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2011). Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Cassava Bagasse with High Solid Loading. Journal of Biobased Materials and Bioenergy.

68. Zhang, J., Ma, X., Yu, J., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2011). The effects of four different pretreatments on enzymatic hydrolysis of sweet sorghum bagasse. Bioresource Technology.

69. Li, Q., Liang, L., Xue, F., Zhang, X., & Tan, T. (2010). The Utilization of Xylose by Oleaginous Yeast Rhodotorula glutinis. Journal of Biobased Materials and Bioenergy.

Invention Patents

1. A separation method for high-value utilization of oleaginous microbial energy microalgae

2. A method for lipid production by mixed culture of yeast and algae

3. A preparation method of microbial lipids

4. A biogas fermentation method

5. A method for treating industrial waste by microorganisms, a method for fermenting and producing microbial lipids and a special strain thereof

6. A fuel preparation method using hydrocarbon-containing biomass

7. A system for producing calcium carbide from biomass fuel

8. A method for enrichment and harvesting of oleaginous microorganisms

9. A method for extracting microbial lipids

10. A method for preparing polyol ester using levulinic acid

11. An immobilization method of yeast cells

12. A method and system for producing calcium carbide from biomass fuel

13. A coupling method for tannin extraction from Quercus acorns and high-gravity fermentation of starch

14. A method for preparing low pour point bio-lubricating oil from green modified plant-based derived oil

15. A method for extracting lipids from oleaginous microorganisms

16. A method for producing calcium carbide from biomass fuel

17. A method for preparing biodiesel by direct transesterification using oleaginous microorganisms

18. A diesel oil oxygenate and its preparation method

19. A method for preparing biodiesel using oleaginous microorganisms

20. A method for preparing medium and short chain fatty acids and their derivatives by catalytic oxidative cracking of natural lipids with tungsten-based catalyst

21. A method for catalytic synthesis of diethyl carbonate using cerium-zirconium oxide/molecular sieve

22. A method for preparing water-based lubricating oil using levulinic acid

23. A method for enzymatic synthesis of mixed fatty acid polyol esters with short, medium and long chains

Honors and Awards

1. Research and Application of Fermentation Process Optimization Based on Marker Metabolite Control, Provincial and Ministerial Science and Technology Award, Second Prize, 2014-12-01

2. Fermentation Process Optimization Method Combining Marker Metabolite Control and Computational Fluid Dynamics, Social Science and Technology Award, First Prize