Rick Wang

Dr. Wang received his B.S. degree in 2000 from Peking University (China). He then went on to pursue his graduate studies at the University of South Florida (Tampa) and received his PhD degree in Inorganic Chemistry in 2006. He did his postdoctoral work at U.C. San Diego before joining the chemistry department at the U in July, 2010.

Inorganic Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Supramolecular/Materials Chemistry, Chemical Literature, General Chemistry Laboratory, Organic Chemistry Laboratory

The overarching goal of our research concerns with rational design of supramolecular container molecules with unique nanoporous architectures for a variety of important applications relevant to energy, environment, and biomedicine. In particular, we have utilized sulfonylcalix[4]arenes, a family of cup-shaped molecular containers, as building blocks to construct a new class of receptor molecules we termed metal-organic supercontainers (MOSCs). These MOSCs feature highly novel multi-pore architectures and exhibit remarkably tunable structure and molecular recognition capability, which have led to a range of applications in areas including supramolecular catalysis, selective ion recognition, neurobiology, and biomedicine.

Moscequest - Addressing a Critical Barrier to Drug Abuse Research, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), (2020 - 2021)
MRI: Acquisition of a Dual-Source Single-Crystal X-ray Diffractomter, National Science Foundation, (2019 - 2022)
Harnessing Nanoscale Supercontainers to Mitigate Psychostimulant Toxicity, USD Center for Brain & Behavior Research, (2019 - 2020)
IUCRC Planning Grant: Center for Solid-State Green Electric Power Generation and Storage (CEPS), National Science Foundation, (2019 - 2019)
Ultra-robust plasmonic biochips for detection of bone turnover markers in astronaut’s urine, SD NASA EPSCoR, (2019 - 2019)
Harnessing Nanoscale Supercontainers to Mitigate Psychostimulant Toxicity, Research Enhancement Pilot Grant Program , (2019 - Present)
REU Site: Undergraduate Research in Fluorine Chemistry, National Science Foundation, (2018 - 2021)
Rapid response on-chip sensors for food production and ECLSS monitoring for International Space Station , SD NASA EPSCoR Office, (2018 - 2018)
Proof of Concept Proposal for Patent Funding: Devices, Systems and Methods for Use of Electrical Ion Sensors Based on Metal-Organic Supercontainers (MOSCs), South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development, (2017 - 2018)
CAREER: Biomimetic Metal-Organic Super-Containers; Supplement Award, National Science Foundation, (2016 - 2019)
Manipulation of Neurotransmitter Signaling using Nano-Scale “Supercontainers", USD Center for Brain & Behavior Research, (2015 - 2016)
CAREER: Biomimetic Metal-Organic Super-Containers, National Science Foundation, (2014 - 2019)
Mimicking Protein-Ligand Binding in Synthetic Supercontainers, SD BOR, (2014 - 2015)
Structural Thermal Insulation Composites, NASA-EPSCoR, (2011 - 2016)
REU Site: Molecules Meet Materials, National Science Foundation

Citations listed below are presented in a standardized, modified format for display purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the preferred style and conventions of the faculty member or discipline.

Fan, Ya-Wen, Shi, Meng-Xue, Wang, Zhenqiang, Dai, Feng-Rong, and Chen, Zhong-Ning. Biomedical Applications of Sulfonylcalix[4]arene-Based Metal–Organic Supercontainers, 1220. Vol. 29 Molecules, 2024. (DOI: 10.3390/molecules29061220)
Sheng, Tian-Pu , Wei, Ying, Jampani, Parvathi, Li, Chang, Huang, Shuping, Wang, Zhenqiang, Dai, Feng-Rong, and Chen, Zhong-Ning. Coordination Cage with Structural ‘Defects’ and Open Metal Sites Catalyzes Selective Oxidation of Primary Alcohols, 1714–1721. Vol. 66, Iss. 6 Science China Chemistry, 2023. (DOI: 10.1007/s11426-023-1584-y)
Liu, Jin-Yan, Sheng, Tian-Pu , Li, Chang, Wang, Zhenqiang, Dai, Feng-Rong, and Chen, Zhong-Ning. Iodine Adsorption via Porous Molecular Solids Based on Coordination Containers Derived from Naphthalene-1,8-dicarboxylate, 3182-3189. Vol. 22, Iss. 5 Crystal Growth & Design, 2022. (DOI: 10.1021/acs.cgd.2c00039)
Sheng, Tian-Pu , Wei, Ying, Jampani, Parvathi, Li, Chang, Huang, Shuping, Wang, Zhenqiang, Dai, Feng-Rong, and Chen, Zhong-Ning. Mitochondria-targeted supramolecular coordination container encapsulated with exogenous itaconate for synergistic therapy of joint inflammation, 3251-3272. Vol. 12, Iss. 7 Theranostics, 2022. (DOI: 10.7150/thno.70623)
He, Can, Chen, Xuzhuo , Sun, Chengzhe, Zhang, Li-Yi, Xu, Weifeng, Zhang, Shanyong , Wang, Zhenqiang, and Dai, Feng-Rong. Decahexanuclear Zinc(II) Coordination Container Featuring a Flexible Tetracarboxylate Ligand: A Self-Assembly Supermolecule for Highly Efficient Drug Delivery of Anti-Inflammatory Agents, 33812−33820. Vol. 13 ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2021. (DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c06311)
Sheng, Tian-Pu , He, Can, Wang, Zhenqiang, Zheng, Guo-Zong, Dai, Feng-Rong, and Chen, Zhong-Ning. Precise Assembly and Supramolecular Catalysis of Tetragonal- and Trigonal-Elongated Octahedral Coordination Containers, 1098–1107. Vol. 4 CCS Chem., 2021. (DOI: 10.31635/ccschem.021.202100987)
Hu, Qitao, Chen, Si, Wang, Zhenqiang, and Zhang, Zhen. Improving selectivity of ion-sensitive membrane by polyethylene glycol doping, 128955. Vol. 328 Sensors and Actuators: B. Chemical, 2020. (DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2020.128955)
Rahman, Md T., Kabir, Md F., Gurung, Ashim, Reza, Khan M., Pathak, Rajesh, Ghimire, Nabin, Baride, Aravind, Wang, Zhenqiang, Kurnar, Mahesh, and Qiao, Qiquan. Graphene Oxide-Silver Nanowire Nanocomposites for Enhanced Sensing of Hg2+, 4842-4851. Vol. 2, Iss. 8 ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS, 2019. (DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.9b00789)
Sun, Cheng-Zhe, Cheng, Li-Ji, Qiao, Yupu, Chen, Zhong-Ning, Lin, Wei, Dai, Feng-Rong, and Wang, Zhenqiang. Stimuli-responsive metal-organic supercontainers as synthetic proton receptors, 10256-10263. Vol. 47, Iss. 30 Dalton Trans., 2018. (DOI: 10.1039/c8dt01900b)
Chen, Xi, Hu, Qitao, Chen, Si, Netzer, Nathan L., Wang, Zhenqiang, Zhang, Shi-Li, and . Multiplexed analysis of molecular and elemental ions using nanowire transistor sensors, 89-96. Vol. 270 Sensor Actuat. B-Chem., 2018. (DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2018.05.018)
Netzer, Nathan L., Must, Indrek , Qiao, Yupu, Zhang, Shili, Wang, Zhenqiang, and Zhang, Zhen. Biomimetic supercontainers for size-selective electrochemical sensing of molecular ions, 45786. Vol. 7 Scientific Reports, 2017. (DOI: 10.1038/srep45786)
Cheng, Li-Ji , Fan, Xin-Xia , Li, Yi-Peng, Wei, Qiao-Hua, Dai, Feng-Rong , Chen, Zhong-Ning , and Wang, Zhenqiang. Engineering solid-state porosity of synthetic supercontainers via modification of exo-cavities, 61-64. Vol. 78 Inorg. Chem. Commun., 2017. (DOI: 10.1016/j.inoche.2017.03.005)
Sapp, Wendi, Gifford, Brendan, Wang, Zhenqiang, and Kilin, Dmitri. Mathematical modeling of gas desorption from a metal-organic supercontainer cavity filled with stored N2 gas at critical limits, 11180-11190. Vol. 7 RSC Advances, 2017. (DOI: 10.1039/c6ra21876h)
Qiao, Yupu, Zhang, Long, Li, Jia, Lin, Wei, and Wang, Zhenqiang. Switching on Supramolecular Catalysis via Cavity Mediation and Electrostatic Regulation, 12778-12782. Vol. 55 Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2016. (DOI: 10.1002/anie.201606847)
Sapp, Wendi, , Wang, Zhenqiang, and Kilin, Dmitri. Electronic and spectral properties of a metal-organic super container molecule by, 394-399. MOLECULAR PHYSICS, 2016. (DOI: 10.1080/00268976.2015.1076899)
Dai, Feng-Rong, , and Wang, Zhenqiang. Designing structurally tunable and functionally versatile synthetic supercontainers, 243-249. Vol. 3 Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers, 2016. (DOI: 10.1039/c5qi00212e)
Jia, Li, Sun, Hao-Ling, and Wang, Zhenqiang. Crystal structures and luminescent properties of new lanthanide(III) complexes derived from 2-phenyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylate, 96855–96861. Vol. 5, Iss. 117 RSC Advances, 2015. (DOI: 10.1039/c5ra21607a)
Netzer, Nathan L., Dai, Feng-Rong, Wang, Zhenqiang, and Jiang, Chaoyang. pH-Modulated Molecular Assemblies and Surface Properties of Metal–Organic Supercontainers at the Air–Water Interface, 10965-10969. Vol. 53, Iss. 41 Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2014. (DOI: 10.1002/anie.201406733)
Dai, Feng-Rong, Dustin, Dustin C., and Wang, Zhenqiang. Modulating guest binding in sulfonylcalixarene-based metal–organic supercontainers, 5385-5387. Vol. 50 Chemical Communications, 2014. (DOI: 10.1039/c3cc47420h)
Li, Jia, Hui, Yan-Chun, Li, Zongsheng, Sun, Hao-Ling, and Wang, Zhenqiang. Luminescent lanthanide-2-phenylpyrimidinecarboxylate, 6483-6490. Vol. 16 CrystEngComm , 2014. (DOI: 10.1039/C4CE00360H )
Dai, Feng-Rong, Sambasivam, Uma, Hammerstrom, Alex J., and Wang, Zhenqiang. Synthetic Supercontainers Exhibit Distinct Solution versus Solid State Guest-Binding Behavior , 7480-7491. Vol. 136 Journal of American Chemical Society, 2014. (DOI: 10.1021/ja502839b)
Sun, Hao-Ling , Yin, Dan-Dan , Chen, Qi , and Wang, Zhenqiang. Europium Pyrimidine-4,6-dicarboxylate Framework with a Single-, 3582-3584. Vol. 52 Inorganic Chemistry, 2013. (DOI: 10.1021/ic302556r)
Wu, Chia-Ming, Rathi, Monika, Ahrenkiel, S. P., Koodali, Ranjit T., and Wang, Zhenqiang. Facile synthesis of MOF-5 confined in SBA-15 hybrid material with enhanced hydrostability, 1223-1225. Vol. 49 Chemical Communications, 2013. (DOI: 10.1039/c2cc38366g)
Patel, VB, Clarke, NE, Wang, Zhenqiang, Putko, B, Parajuli, Nirmal, Lo, J, Turner, AJ, and Oudit, GY. Angiotensin II induced proteolytic cleavage of angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 Is Mediated Via the Tnf-Alpha Converting Enzyme (TACE/ADAM-17): A Positive feedback mechanism in the renin angiotensin system, S115. Vol. 29, Iss. 10 Canadian journal of cardiology, 2013.
Dai, Feng-Rong, and Wang, Zhenqiang. Modular Assembly of Metal-Organic Super-Containers Incorporating Sulfonylcalixarenes, 8002-8005. Vol. 134 Journal of The American Chemical Society, 2012. (DOI: 10.1021/ja300095j)
Garibay, Sergio J., Wang, Zhenqiang, and Cohen, Seth M.. Evaluation of Heterogeneous Metal-Organic Framework Organocatalysts Prepared by Postsynthetic Modification, 8086-8091. Vol. 49, Iss. 17 Inorganic Chemistry , 2010.
Wang, Zhenqiang, Tanabe, Kristine K., and Cohen, Seth M.. Tuning Hydrogen Sorption Properties of Metal-Organic Frameworks by Postsynthetic Covalent Modification, 212-217. Vol. 16, Iss. 1 Chemistry--A European Journal, 2010.

A&S Research and Creative Scholarship Expansion Award , College of Arts & Sciences, 2024
2023 Diversity and Outreach Award, American Chemical Society Sioux Valley Section, 2023
Professor of the Game, University of South Dakota, 2022
President’s Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University of South Dakota, 2020
South Dakota NASA EPSCoR Research Initiation Grant, South Dakota NASA EPSCoR , 2019
Center for Brain and Behavior Research (CBBRe) Research Enhancement Pilot Grant , USD CBBRe, 2019
Planning IUCRC: Center for Solid-State Green Electric Power Generation and Storage (CEPS), NSF, 2019
Electrostatic Regulation of Cavity-Mediated Catalysis, National Science Foundation, 2018
NASA EPSCoR Preproposal: Rapid response on-chip sensors for food production and ECLSS monitoring for International Space Station, South Dakota NASA EPSCoR, 2018
Size-Selective Electrochemical Sensing via Metal-Organic Supercontainers, National Science Foundation, 2017
Devices, Systems and Methods for Use of Electrical Ion Sensors Based on Metal-, South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development: Proof of Concept Proposal for, 2017
Center for Fluorinated Functional Materials: from Discovery to Commercialization (co-PI; PI: Prof. Haoran Sun), South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development, 2017
NSF CAREER Supplement Award, National Science Foundation, 2016
President’s Award for Research Excellence: New-Mid Career Faculty , University of South Dakota, 2015
Manipulation of Neurotransmitter Signaling using Nano-Scale ‘Supercontainers’, USD Center for Brain and Behavior Research (CBBRe) , 2015
Competitive Research Grant award, South Dakota Board of Regents , 2014
NSF CAREER Award, National Science Foundation, 2014
Structural Thermal Insulation Composites, NASA EPSCoR, 2011

Wang, Zhenqiang, Metal-Organic Supercontainers and Their Application in Supramolecular Catalysis. Presented at the Invited Seminar (Virtual), Norfolk, VA. (November 17, 2021)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Biomimetic Metal-Organic Supercontainers And Their Applications. Presented at the Invited Seminar (Virtual), Yankton, SD. (February 10, 2021)
Wang, Zhenqiang, McFadden, Lisa, Bertsch, Greg, Shepherd, Jewel, and Lambeth, Beth, Novel Potential Emergency Drug Intervention for Methamphetamine Overdose. Presented at the Mission: Possible │ Reducing the Impact of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness in Our Communities, Virtual Conference. (August 19, 2020)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Nanostructured metal-organic supercontainers as a new therapeutic approach to treat methamphetamine addiction. Presented at the 2019 CBBre Research Symposium, USD. (August 15, 2019)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Ion-Regulated, Cavity-Mediated Supramolecular Catalysis. Presented at the Invited Seminar, Tallahassee, FL. (March 28, 2019)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Ion-Regulated, Cavity-Mediated Supramolecular Catalysis. Presented at the Invited Seminar, Brookings, SD. (February 27, 2019)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Cavity‐Mediated, Ion‐Regulated Catalysis. Presented at the 6th International Conference on Metal-Organic Frameworks & Open Framework Compounds (MOF 2018), Auckland, NZ. (December 12, 2018)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Ion-Regulated, Cavity-Mediated Catalysis. Presented at the Invited Seminar, Potsdam, NY. (September 28, 2018)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Electrostatic Regulation of Cavity-Mediated Catalysis . Presented at the 2018 Gordon Research Conference - Catalysis, New London, NH. (June 24, 2018)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Ion-Regulated, Cavity-Mediated Catalysis. Presented at the Invited Seminar, Pullman, WA. (February 12, 2018)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Cavity-Mediated Catalysis via Metal-Organic Supercontainers . Presented at the 2017 ACS Midwest Regional Meeting, Lawrance, KS. (October 18, 2017)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Chemistry of Metal-Organic Supercontainers Inspired by Biology. Presented at the Invited Seminar, Omaha, NE. (October 09, 2017)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Metal-Organic Supercontainers and Their Applications. Presented at the Invited Seminar, Uppsala, Sweden. (May 22, 2017)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Cavity-Mediated Catalysis via Synthetic Supercontainers. Presented at the Invited Seminar, Madrid, Spain. (May 17, 2017)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Chemistry of Metal-Organic Supercontainers Inspired by Biology. Presented at the Invited Seminar, Marshall, MN. (February 23, 2017)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Cavity-Mediated Catalysis in Metal-Organic Supercontainers . Presented at the Invited Seminar, Albuquerque, NM. (October 28, 2016)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Cavity-Mediated Catalysis in Metal-Organic Supercontainers . Presented at the Invited Seminar, New Orleans, LA. (October 10, 2016)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Cavity-Mediated Catalysis in Meta-Organic Supercontainers. Presented at the 5th International Conference on Metal-Organic Frameworks & Open Framework Compounds (MOF 2016), Long Beach, CA. (September 13, 2016)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Cavity-Mediated Catalysis via Meta-Organic Supercontainers. Presented at the The 66th Annual Meeting of the American Crystallographic Association, Denver, CO. (July 25, 2016)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Cavity-Mediated Catalysis via Synthetic Supercontainers. Presented at the Invited Seminar, College Park, MD. (April 21, 2016)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Cavity-Mediated Catalysis via Synthetic Supercontainers. Presented at the Invited Seminar, Baltimore, MD. (April 19, 2016)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Materials Chemistry Research at the University of South Dakota. Presented at the Nebraska Materials, Manufacturing, and Nanotech Workshop, Lincoln, NE. (March 22, 2016)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Allosteric Modulation of Supramolecular Catalysis in Synthetic Supercontainers. Presented at the 2015 International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies, Molecular Containers Symposium, Honolulu, Hawaii. (December 17, 2015)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Regulating molecular recognition in synthetic supercontainers. Presented at the 249th American Chemical Society National Meeting, Molecular Recognition and Self-Assembly, Division of Organic Chemistry, Denver, CO. (March 23, 2015)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Modulating Molecular Recognition in Synthetic Supercontainers. Presented at the Invited Seminar, Richardson, Dallas. (November 14, 2014)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Tuning Solid-State Porosity of Molecular Solids for Selective Gas Adsorption. Presented at the 4th International Conference on Metal-Organic Frameworks Open Framework Compounds, Kobe, Japan. (September 28, 2014)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Tuning Solid-State Porosity of Molecular Solids for Selective Gas Adsorption. Presented at the 2nd MOF Young Investigators Symposium, Kyoto, Japan. (September 26, 2014)
Sapp, Wendi, Erck, Adam, Wang, Zhenqiang, and Kilin, Dmitri, Comparison of computational and experimental approaches to understanding MOSC structural properties and host-guest interaction. Presented at the 54th Sanibel Symposium, St. George Island, GA. (February 15, 2014)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Metal-Organic Super-Containers: ‘Molecular’ MOFs for Selective Adsorption of Small Molecules. Presented at the ACS Symposium on Porous Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage, Indianapolis, IN. (September 08, 2013)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Molecular MOFs: Modular Assembly of Metal-Organic Super-Containers (MOSCs). Presented at the Invited Seminar, Beijing, China. (May 20, 2013)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Molecular MOFs: Modular Assembly of Metal-Organic Super-Containers (MOSCs). Presented at the Invited Seminar, Hangzhou, China. (May 17, 2013)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Modular Assembly of Metal-Organic Super-Containers (MOSCs). Presented at the Invited Seminar, Shanghai, China. (May 15, 2013)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Molecular MOFs: Modular Assembly of Metal-Organic Super-Containers (MOSCs). Presented at the 2013 MOF young investigators symposium, Shanghai, China. (May 12, 2013)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Metal-Organic Super-Containers (MOSCs): A New Family of Microporous Materials. Presented at the ACS Symposium on Metal Organic Frameworks for Energy Applications, 244th American Chemical Society National Meeting, Philadelphia, PA. (August 20, 2012)
Wang, Zhenqiang, Azo-Containing, Stimuli-Responsive Porous Coordination Solids for Selective Gas Adsorption. Presented at the ACS Symposium on CO2 Capture, Conversion and Utilization, 243rd American Chemical Society National Meeting, San Diego, CA. (March 27, 2012)

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