Patents by Inventor Hong-Cai Zhou

Hong-Cai Zhou has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11535703
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to synthesis of porous polymer networks and applications of such materials. The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating of a porous polymer network comprising: (a) providing: (i) a first reactant comprising a plurality of compounds comprising at least one acetyl group, said plurality of compounds comprising at least one compound type, and (ii) a second reactant comprising an alkylsulfonic acid, and (b) creating a solution of said reactants, (c) casting said solution in a form, and (d) treating said solution under such conditions so as to produce a porous polymer network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
    Inventors: Lei Fang, Zi-Hao Guo, Chenxu Wang, Qiang Zhang, Hong-Cai Zhou
  • Publication number: 20210230359
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to synthesis of porous polymer networks and applications of such materials. The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating of a porous polymer network comprising: (a) providing: (i) a first reactant comprising a plurality of compounds comprising at least one acetyl group, said plurality of compounds comprising at least one compound type, and (ii) a second reactant comprising an alkylsulfonic acid, and (b) creating a solution of said reactants, (c) casting said solution in a form, and (d) treating said solution under such conditions so as to produce a porous polymer network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Lei Fang, Zi-Hao Guo, Chenxu Wang, Qiang Zhang, Hong-Cai Zhou
  • Patent number: 10934389
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to synthesis of porous polymer networks and applications of such materials. The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating of a porous polymer network comprising: (a) providing: (i) a first reactant comprising a plurality of compounds comprising at least one acetyl group, said plurality of compounds comprising at least one compound type, and (ii) a second reactant comprising an alkylsulfonic acid, and (b) creating a solution of said reactants, (c) casting said solution in a form, and (d) treating said solution under such conditions so as to produce a porous polymer network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Lei Fang, Zi-Hao Guo, Chenxu Wang, Qiang Zhang, Hong-Cai Zhou
  • Publication number: 20200148812
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to synthesis of porous polymer networks and applications of such materials. The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating of a porous polymer network comprising: (a) providing: (i) a first reactant comprising a plurality of compounds comprising at least one acetyl group, said plurality of compounds comprising at least one compound type, and (ii) a second reactant comprising an alkylsulfonic acid, and (b) creating a solution of said reactants, (c) casting said solution in a form, and (d) treating said solution under such conditions so as to produce a porous polymer network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Lei Fang, Zi-Hao Guo, Chenxu Wang, Qiang Zhang, Hong-Cai Zhou
  • Patent number: 10584201
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to synthesis of porous polymer networks and applications of such materials. The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating of a porous polymer network comprising: (a) providing: (i) a first reactant comprising a plurality of compounds comprising at least one acetyl group, said plurality of compounds comprising at least one compound type, and (ii) a second reactant comprising an alkylsulfonic acid, and (b) creating a solution of said reactants, (c) casting said solution in a form, and (d) treating said solution under such conditions so as to produce a porous polymer network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Lei Fang, Zi-Hao Guo, Chenxu Wang, Qiang Zhang, Hong-Cai Zhou
  • Publication number: 20180194891
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to synthesis of porous polymer networks and applications of such materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Lei Fang, Zi-Hao Guo, Chenxu Wang, Qiang Zhang, Hong-Cai Zhou
  • Patent number: 9951095
    Abstract: The present invention relates to monocrystalline metal organic frameworks comprising chromium ions and carboxylate ligands and the use of the same, for example their use for storing a gas. The invention also relates to methods for preparing metal organic frameworks comprising chromium, titanium or iron ions and carboxylate ligands. The methods of the invention allow such metal organic frameworks to be prepared in monocrystalline or polycrystalline forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Hong-Cai Zhou, Tian-Fu Liu, Xizhen Lian, Lanfang Zou, Dawei Feng
  • Patent number: 9724668
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for preparing metal-organic framework materials, metal-organic frameworks obtainable by such processes, methods using the same, and the use thereof. The process of the invention provides an improved process for preparing metal-organic frameworks in particular monocrystalline metal-organic frameworks having large crystal sizes. The invention also relates to metal organic frameworks comprising iron or titanium, and their uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Hong-Cai Zhou, Dawei Feng, Kecheng Wang
  • Publication number: 20170050995
    Abstract: The present invention relates to monocrystalline metal organic frameworks comprising chromium ions and carboxylate ligands and the use of the same, for example their use for storing a gas. The invention also relates to methods for preparing metal organic frameworks comprising chromium, titanium or iron ions and carboxylate ligands. The methods of the invention allow such metal organic frameworks to be prepared in monocrystalline or polycrystalline forms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Hong-Cai ZHOU, Tian-Fu LIU, Xizhen LIAN, Langfang ZOU, Dawei FENG
  • Publication number: 20160346759
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for preparing metal-organic framework materials, metal-organic frameworks obtainable by such processes, methods using the same, and the use thereof. The process of the invention provides an improved process for preparing metal-organic frameworks in particular monocrystalline metal-organic frameworks having large crystal sizes. The invention also relates to metal organic frameworks comprising iron or titanium, and their uses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Hong-Cai Zhou, Dawei Feng, Kecheng Wang
  • Patent number: 9421514
    Abstract: Provided herein are porous single-molecule trap materials with fixed pore sizes that are capable of trapping one molecule per cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Hong-Cai Zhou, Mario Wriedt, Julian Sculley, Jian-Rong Li
  • Patent number: 9409116
    Abstract: Functionalized Porous Polymer Networks (PPNs) exhibiting favourable characteristics such as high surface area? and gas uptake properties are disclosed, including methods of making such networks. A method of preparing a porous polymer network, comprising: (a) a step of homo-coupling a monomer in the presence of 2,2?-bipyridyl, 1,5-cycloocta-1,5-diene, a mixed solvent of DMF/THF and a compound or mixture selected from the group consisting of bis(1,5-cydoocta-1,5-diene)nickel(0), Ni(PPH3) 4, and Zn/NiCI2/NaBr/PPH3 at a temperature in the range of 20 to 40° C. These stable PPNs may be useful in the context of carbon capture, gas storage and separation, and as supports for catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Hong-Cai Zhou, Julian Sculley, Weigang Lu
  • Patent number: 9102691
    Abstract: The invention relates to monocrystalline single crystals of metal-organic framework materials comprising at least one aluminum metal ion, processes for preparing the same, methods for employing the same, and the use thereof. The invention also relates to monocrystalline aluminum metal-organic frameworks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Hong-Cai Zhou, Dawei Feng, Kecheng Wang
  • Publication number: 20150182903
    Abstract: Functionalized Porous Polymer Networks (PPNs) exhibiting favourable characteristics such as high surface area? and gas uptake properties are disclosed, including methods of making such networks. A method of preparing a porous polymer network, comprising: (a) a step of homo-coupling a monomer in the presence of 2,2?-bipyridyl, 1,5-cycloocta-1,5-diene, a mixed solvent of DMF/THF and a compound or mixture selected from the group consisting of bis(1,5-cydoocta-1,5-diene)nickel(o), Ni(PPH3) 4, and Zn/NiCI2/NaBr/PPH3 at a temperature in the range of 20 to 40° C. These stable PPNs may be useful in the context of carbon capture, gas storage and separation, and as supports for catalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Hong-Cai Zhou, Julian Sculley, Weigang Lu
  • Publication number: 20150152123
    Abstract: The invention relates to monocrystalline single crystals of metal-organic framework materials comprising at least one aluminium metal ion, processes for preparing the same, methods for employing the same, and the use thereof. The invention also relates to monocrystalline aluminium metal-organic frameworks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Hong-Cai Zhou, Dawei Feng, Kecheng Wang
  • Publication number: 20150071845
    Abstract: Provided herein are porous single-molecule trap materials with fixed pore sizes that are capable of trapping one molecule per cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
    Inventors: Hong-Cai Zhou, Mario Wriedt, Julian Sculley, Jian-Rong Li
  • Patent number: 8337591
    Abstract: A metal-organic framework-based mesh-adjustable molecular sieve (MAMS) exhibiting a temperature-dependent mesh size. The MAMS comprises a plurality of metal clusters bound with a plurality of amphiphilic ligands, each ligand comprising a hydrophobic moiety and a functionalized hydrophilic moiety, and wherein the metal clusters and amphiphilic ligand functionalized hydrophilic moieties form a metal cluster layer, the metal cluster layer forming at least one hydrophilic pore. On each side of the metal cluster layer, a plurality of associated amphiphilic ligand hydrophobic moieties cooperate with the metal cluster layer to form a tri-layer and a plurality of tri-layers are packed in a facing-spaced apart relationship to form at least one hydrophobic pore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Miami University
    Inventors: Hong-Cai Zhou, Shengqian Ma
  • Patent number: 7789943
    Abstract: Temperature-adjustable pore size molecular sieves comprise a plurality of metal clusters bound with a plurality of amphiphilic ligands, each ligand comprising a functionalized hydrophobic moiety and a functionalized hydrophilic moiety, and wherein the metal clusters and amphiphilic ligand hydrophilic moieties form a metal cluster layer, the metal cluster layer forming at least one hydrophilic pore. On each side of the metal cluster layer, a plurality of associated amphiphilic ligand hydrophobic moieties cooperate with the metal cluster layer to form a tri-layer and a plurality of tri-layers are held in proximity with each other to form at least one hydrophobic chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Miami University
    Inventors: Hong-Cai Zhou, Shengqian Ma
  • Publication number: 20100170393
    Abstract: A metal-organic framework-based mesh-adjustable molecular sieve (MAMS) exhibiting a temperature-dependent mesh size. The MAMS comprises a plurality of metal clusters bound with a plurality of amphiphilic ligands, each ligand comprising a hydrophobic moiety and a functionalized hydrophilic moiety, and wherein the metal clusters and amphiphilic ligand functionalized hydrophilic moieties form a metal cluster layer, the metal cluster layer forming at least one hydrophilic pore. On each side of the metal cluster layer, a plurality of associated amphiphilic ligand hydrophobic moieties cooperate with the metal cluster layer to form a tri-layer and a plurality of tri-layers are packed in a facing-spaced apart relationship to form at least one hydrophobic pore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: MIAMI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hong-Cai Zhou, Shengqian MA
  • Patent number: 7687432
    Abstract: A metal-organic framework-based mesh-adjustable molecular sieve (MAMS) exhibiting a temperature-dependent mesh size. The MAMS comprises a plurality of metal clusters bound with a plurality of amphiphilic ligands, each ligand comprising a hydrophobic moiety and a functionalized hydrophilic moiety, and wherein the metal clusters and amphiphilic ligand functionalized hydrophilic moieties form a metal cluster layer, the metal cluster layer forming at least one hydrophilic pore. On each side of the metal cluster layer, a plurality of associated amphiphilic ligand hydrophobic moieties cooperate with the metal cluster layer to form a tri-layer and a plurality of tri-layers are packed in a facing-spaced apart relationship to form at least one hydrophobic pore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Miami University
    Inventors: Hong-Cai Zhou, Shengqian Ma