目前，他主要從事表面材料科學的研究工作，主要研究方向為微納米材料的設計、開發及應用。他的研究工作涉及材料化學、無機化學、高分子化學、表面化學、摩擦化學、材料物理等多學科的交叉；他主要致力於能源材料特殊微納米結構與性能之間的關系及器件組裝等方面的研究，最終目的是旨在材料合成、組裝及材料改性兩個層面上解決新能源材料研制過程中的關鍵性問題，在節能的基礎上進壹步提高新能源材料的利用效率。堅持不懈的潛心研究已經取得了階段性成果，近年來***發表SCI源期刊論文40 余篇，分別發表在《J.Am. Chem. Soc.》、《Chem. Commun.》、《Chem. Eur. J.》、《J. Mater. Chem.》、《J. Phys. Chem. C 》、《Cryst. Growth Des.》、《Chem. Mater.》《Appl. Phys. Lett.》等國際著名化學、材料和物理類雜誌上，其中影響因子大於5.0的有7篇，影響因子大於4.0的有22篇，總的引用次數近200次，其中他引160多次；研究論文《新型硼酸酯潤滑油添加劑的合成、水解穩定性及摩擦學特性研究》和《由超高熱質子碰撞引發的表面吸附有機小分子的交聯反應及超薄聚合物薄膜的形成》曾兩次（第七和第九屆）獲得河南省自然科學優秀學術論文壹等獎；《原位生長由完美六角形單晶組成的碘化鉛薄膜》等7篇研究論文獲得河南省教育廳優秀科技論文壹等獎；曾參加第壹屆亞洲摩擦學大會並作會議報告；三次參加香港化學年會，並在2002年的年會上代表香港中文大學博士研究生作大會報告。
1、低能量離子束對表面材料的改性；
2、無機微納米材料的制備及表征；
3、有機、無機及其雜化半導體薄膜的制備及在能源材料等領域的應用；
4、仿生合成的研究及其在相轉變材料（PCM）等領域中的應用 近年來代表性論文（影響因子3.0以上）及專利：
9. D.P. Li,Z. Zheng*,Z.Y. Shui,M.Q. Long,J. Yu,K.W. Wong,L. Yang,L.Z. Zhang,W.M. Lau，“Using Elemental Se and Ag to Grow Pure Ag2Se Dendrites/ Dendritic- Films of Highly Oriented (001） Nanocrystals” J. Phys. Chem. C 112,2845 （2008）.
8. Z. Zheng*,A.R. Liu,S.M. Wang,B.J. Huang,X.T. Zhang,K.W. Wong,W.M. Lau，“Growth of highly oriented （110） CuI films with sharp exiton band” J. Mater. Chem. 18,852 （2008）. (impact factor: 4.3）.
7. Z. Zheng*,B. J. Huang,H. Q. Ma,X. P. Zhang,Z. Liu,K. W. Wong,W.M. Lau，“Biomimetic growth of biomorphic CaCO3 with hierarchically ordered cellulosic structures” Cryst. Growth Des. 7,1912 （2007）. (impact factor: 4.3）.
6. Z. Zheng,K.W. Wong,W.C. Lau,R.W.M. Kwok,W.M. Lau，“Unusual kinematics-driven chemistry: cleaving C-H but not COO-H bonds with hyperthermal protons to synthesize tailor-made molecular films” Chem. Eur. J. 13,3187 （2007）. (impact factor: 5.0).
5. H.X. Zhao,Z. Zheng*,K.W. Wong,S.M. Wang,B.J. Huang,D.P. Li，“Fabrication and electrochemical performance of nickel ferrite nanoparticles as anode material in lithium-ion batteries” Electrochem. Comm. 9,2606 （2007）. (impact factor: 3.4）.
4. Z. Zheng,R.W.M. Kwok,W.M. Lau，“A new cross-linking route via the unusual collision kinematics of hyperthermal proton in unsaturated hydrocarbon: the case of poly(trans-isoprene）” Chem. Comm. 3122,（2006）. (impact factor: 4.5）.
3. Z. Zheng*,A.R. Liu,S.M. Wang,Y. Wang,Z.S. Li,W.M. Lau,L.Z. Zhang，“In situ growth of epitaxial lead iodide films composed of hexagonal single crystals” J. Mater. Chem. 15,4555 （2005）. (impact factor: 4.3）.
2. Z. Zheng,X.D. Xu,X.L. Fan,W.M. Lau R.W.M. Kwok，“Ultrathin polymer film formation by collision-induced cross-Linking of adsorbed organic molecules with hyperthermal protons” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 126,12336 （2004）. (impact factor:7.7）.
1. J.C. Yu,L.Z. Zhang,Z. Zheng,J.C. Zhao，“Synthesis and characterization of phosphated mesoporous Titanium dioxide with high photocatalytic activity”，Chem. Mater. 15,2280 （2003）. (impact factor: 5.1）.
Full Publication list:
2008
35. C. Y. Choi,Z. Zheng,K. W. Wong,Z. L. Du,W. M. Lau,R. X. Du,Fabrication of cross-linked multi-walled carbon nanotube coatings with improved adhesion and intrinsic strength by a two-step synthesis: electrochemical deposition and hyperthermal proton bombardment,Appl. Phys. A,accepted.
34. J.M. Gong,X.L. Hu,K.W. Wong,Z. Zheng,L. Yang,W.M. Lau,and R.X. Du，“Chitosan Nanostructures with Controllable Morphology by a Non-aqueous Electrochemical Approach” Adv. Mater.,（2008）,In press.
33. D.P. Li,Z. Zheng*,Z.Y. Shui,M.Q. Long,J. Yu,K.W. Wong,L. Yang,L.Z. Zhang,W.M. Lau，“Using Elemental Se and Ag to Grow Pure Ag2Se Dendrites/ Dendritic- Films of Highly Oriented (001） Nanocrystals” J. Phys. Chem. C 112,2845 （2008）.
32. Z. Zheng*,A.R. Liu,S.M. Wang,B.J. Huang,X.T. Zhang,K.W. Wong,W.M. Lau，“Growth of highly oriented （110） CuI films with sharp exiton band” J. Mater. Chem. 18,852 （2008）. (impact factor: 4.3）.
31. Z. Zheng*,A. R. Liu,S. M. Wang,B. J. Huang,X. M. Ma,H. X. Zhao,D. P. Li,L. Z. Zhang，“In-situ fabrication of AgI films on various substrates” Mater. Res. Bull. doi:10.1016/j. materresbull.2007.09.017. (impact factor: 1.4）.
2007
30. L.W. Mi,M.L. Han,D.P. Li,W.H. Chen,and Zhi Zheng*，“A novel two-dimensional cadmium polymeric aminonaphthalene sulfonate and its application in the synthesis of CdS materials” Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 373,（2008）,(impact factor: 1.2）.
29. Z. Zheng*,S. M. Wang,D. P. Li,A. R. Liu,B. J. Huang,H. X. Zhao,Z. L. Zhang，“Morphology-controlled synthesis of lead iodide compounds from lead foils and iodine” J. Cryst. Growth 308,398（2007）,(impact factor: 1.8）.
28. N. S. Lam,K. W. Wong,Q. Li,Z. Zheng and W. M. Lau Controllable size reduction of CdSe nanowires through intermediate formation of Se-coated CdSe nanowires by using acid and thermal treatment Nanotechnology,18,415607 （2007）. (impact factor: 3.0).
27. Z. Zheng*,B. J. Huang,H. Q. Ma,X. P. Zhang,Z. Liu,K. W. Wong,W.M. Lau，“Biomimetic growth of biomorphic CaCO3 with hierarchically ordered cellulosic structures” Cryst. Growth Des. 7,1912 （2007）. (impact factor: 4.3）.
26. H. X. Zhao,Z. Zheng*,K. W. Wong,S.M. Wang,B.J. Huang,D.P. Li，“Fabrication and electrochemical performance of nickel ferrite nanoparticles as anode material in lithium-ion batteries” Electrochem. Comm. 9,2606 （2007）. (impact factor: 3.4）.
25. L. Xi,Z. Zheng,N-S. Lam,O. Grizzi,W.M. Lau,Effects of hyperthermal proton bombardment on alkanethiol self-assembled monolayer on Au （1 1 1）,Appl. Surf. Sci. 254,113 （2007）. (impact factor: 1.4）.
24. W.M. Lau,Z. Zheng,Y. H. Wang,Y. Luo,L. Xi,K. W. Wong,and K. Y. Wong，“Cross-linking organic semiconducting molecules by preferential C-H cleavage via “chemistry with a tiny hammer” Can. J. Chem. 85,859 （2007）. (impact factor: 1.3）.
23. J. Rafique,J. Yu,J.L. Yu,G. Fang,K. W. Wong,Z. Zheng,C. H. Ong,and W. M. Lau，“Electrospinning highly aligned long polymer nanofibers on large scale by using a tip collector” Appl. Phys. Lett. 90,63126 （2007）. (impact factor: 4.0).
22. X. T. Zhang,Z. Liu,Z. Zheng,S. K. Harka，“Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of well-aligned Ga-doped N-rich SiOxNy nanowire bundles”，Appl. Phys. Lett. 90,183110 （2007）. (impact factor: 4.0).
21. Z. Zheng,K.W. Wong,W.C. Lau,R.W.M. Kwok,W.M. Lau，“Unusual kinematics-driven chemistry: cleaving C-H but not COO-H bonds with hyperthermal protons to synthesize tailor-made molecular films” Chem. Eur. J. 13,3187 （2007）. (impact factor: 5.1）.
20. L.R. Lu,Z.H. Ai,J.P. Li,Z. Zheng,Q. Li,L.Z. Zhang，“Synthesis and Characterization of Fe-Fe2O3 Core-Shell Nanowires and Nanonecklaces” Cryst. Growth Des. 7,459 （2007）. (impact factor: 4.3）.
2006
19. J. Yu,Z. Zheng,H. C. Ong,K. Y. Wong,W. M. Lau,S. Matsumoto，“Thermal stability of cubic boron nitride films deposited by chemical vapor deposition” J. Phys. Chem. B 110,21073 （2006）. (impact factor: 4.0).
18. Y. Huang,Z. Zheng,Z. H. Ai,L. Z. Zhang,X. X. Fang,and Z.G. Zou， “Core-Shell Microspherical Ti1-xZrxO2 Solid Solutions Photocatalysts Directly from Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis” J. Phys. Chem. B 110,19323 （2006）. (impact factor: 4.0)
17. Z. Zheng,R.W.M. Kwok,W.M. Lau，“A New Cross-linking Route via the Unusual Collision Kinematics of Hyperthermal Proton in Unsaturated Hydrocarbon: the Case of Poly(trans-isoprene）” Chem. Comm. 3122,（2006）. (impact factor: 4.5）.
16. H. Qiao,X. Zhu,Z. Zheng,L. Liu,l.Z. Zhang，“Synthesis of V3O7.H2O nanobelts as cathode materials for lithium–ion batteries” Electrochemistry Comm. 8,21 （2006）,(impact factor: 3.4）
15. J.C. Yu,X. L. Hu,Q. Li,Z.Zheng,Y. M. Xu，“Synthesis and Characterization of Core-Shell Selenium/Carbon Colloids and Hollow Carbon Capsules” Chem. A Eur. J. 12,548 （2006） (impact factor,5.0).
14. A.R. Liu,S.M. Wang,Y.R. Zhao,Z.Zheng，“Low-temperature preparation of nanocrystalline TiO2 photocatalyst with a very large specific surface area” Mater. Chem. Phy. 99,131 （2006）. (impact factor: 1.1）
2004-2005
13. Z. Zheng*,A.R. Liu,S. M. Wang,Y. Wang,Z. S. Li,W. M. Lau,and L. Z. Zhang，“In situ growth of epitaxial lead iodide films composed of hexagonal single crystals” J. Mater. Chem. 15,4555 （2005）. (impact factor,4.3）.
12. L. Z. Zhang,J.C. Yu,Z. Zheng,and C. W. Leung，“Fabrication of hierarchical porous iron oxide films utilizing the Kirkendall effect” Chem. Comm. 21,2683 （2005）. (impact factor,4.5）.
11. Z. Zheng,X.D. Xu,X.L. Fan,W.M. Lau and R.W.M. Kwok，“Ultrathin Polymer Film Formation by Collision-Induced Cross-Linking of Adsorbed Organic Molecules with Hyperthermal Protons” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 126,12336 （2004）,(impact factor,7.7）.
2000-2003
10. J.C. Yu,L.Z. Zhang,Z. Zheng,and J. Zhao，“Synthesis and characterization of phosphated mesoporous Titanium dioxide with high photocatalytic activity”，Chemistry Material 15,2280 （2003），（impact factor,5.1）.
9. J.G. Yu,J.C. Yu,B. Cheng,X.J. Zhao,Z. Zheng,and A.S.K. Li，“Atomic force microscopic studies of porous TiO2 thin films prepared by the Sol-Gel method”，J. Sol-Gel Sci. And Tech. 24,229 （2002）. (impact factor: 1.2）
8. Z. Zheng,R.W.M. Kwok，“Surface modification of docosanoic acid thin film using low energy hydrogen beam” Ninth Symposium on chemistry in HK,Oral-7 （2002）.
7. G.Q. Shen,Z. Zheng,Y. Wan,X.D. Xu,and L.L. Cao,Synergistic lubricating effects of borate ester with heterocyclic compound,Wear 246,55 （2000). (impact factor: 1.4）
1998-1999
6. G.Q. Shen,Z. Zheng,Y. Wan,and L.L. Cao Hydrolytic stability and triboligical properties of organic borate esters as lubricant additives”，Journal of Tsinghua University 39,（1999）.
5. X.H. Wu,J.Y. Liu,X.Q. Qiu,Y. liang,Z. Zheng,C.W. Liu,and Q.M. Zhu，“Properties of the ultra-thin Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst obtained by oxalate colloid method”，Chemical Engineering of natural gas 24,（1999）.
4. Z. Zheng,G.Q. Shen,Y. Yong,X.D. Xu,L.L. Cao,T.J. Sun,and Q.X. Yue,Synthesis,hydrolytic stability and tribological properties of novel borate esters containing nitrogen as lubricant additives,Wear 222,135 （1998）. (impact factor: 1.4）
3. X.D. Xu,Y. Wan,L.L. Cao,Z. Zheng,and G.Q. Shen,Synthesis and tribological characteristics of S-（1H-benzimidazo-2-yl) methyl,N,N-dioctyldithiocarbamate as novel lubricant additives,Proceedings of ASIATRB'98,151 （1998）.
2. Y. Wan,X.D. Xu,Z. Zheng,and L.L. Cao,Performance evaluation of 2-mercaptobenzole derivatives as potential lubricant additives,Proceedings of ASIATRB'98,182 （1998）.
1. Z. Zheng,G.Q. Shen,Y. Yong,X.D. Xu,L.L. Cao,T.J. Sun,and Q.X. Yue,New types of borate esters containing nitrogen as lubricant additives: synthesis,hydrolytic stability,friction reducing and anti-wear properties,Proceedings of ASIATRB'98,Vol 1,159 （1998）. 《實用化學》副主編；1998年9月，陜西師大出版社，ISBN7-5613-1901-0。
三、專利：
1. 鄭直等，“壹種制備納米金屬碘化物薄膜的化學方法” 專利申請號：200610146056.3（第壹發明人）
2. 鄭直等，“壹種制備交聯聚合物薄膜的化學方法”，專利申請號：200610107389.5（第壹發明人）
3. 杜如虛,黃家偉，鄭直等，“制備特殊微納米結構水合鹽相轉變材料的化學方法”，專利申請號：200610107390.8.
4. 鄭直等，“樹枝狀硒化銀納米晶薄膜材料及制備方法”，專利申請號：200710052721.7（第壹發明 1、以低能氫離子束為引發劑制備表面功能性可控的交聯聚合物薄膜的研究（國家自然科學基金[20574058]，2005，25萬元，主持人）
2、納米單晶碘化物薄膜材料的原位生長及表征 （河南省自然科學基金[611021900],2006年，2萬元，主持人）。
3、醌基（線型或樹狀）分子器件的分子設計、合成及性質研究（首屆河南省高校新世紀優秀人才支持計劃[2005HANCET-17]，2005,20萬元，主要合作人）
4、聚合物表面碳主鏈接技COOH (香港政府科學研究基金： 4106/98P,1999，主要完成人）
2.鄭直，原名王宗周。研究員。河南滎陽人。北京大學肄業。1951年赴蘇聯學習。1956年獲莫斯科地質勘探學院地質礦物學副博士學位。歷任地質礦產部礦床地質研究所研究室主任、副所長，中國海洋學會、中國湖沼學會理事。對粘土、磷礦和鉀鹽礦產地質進行了研究，並取得成果。合撰有《中國高嶺土礦床》、《中國磷礦形成分布的規律圾今後需要研究的問題》、《中國南方風化殼礦床的地質特征》等論文。