Sustainable Functional  Materials Lab

Our research program focuses on understanding function-structure relationships and using this understanding to design and synthesize sustainable functional molecules and materials for applications in advanced materials engineering. Currently, novel porous materials containing chitosan and porphyrin motifs are studied to apply them to the field of CCU (Carbon Capture and Utilization), which refers to methods and technologies to remove CO2 from flue gas and the atmosphere, followed by recycling the CO2 for utilization. We also explore the design, synthesis, and characterization of both monomers and macromolecules to generate Biomass-based polyurethanes and new functional chitosan derivatives. The Functional materials under study include colorimetric gas sensors, agro-waste extracts, and antimicrobial dyes. In addition, we are actively researching Cosmetics, including bio-based emulsions, hair dyes, and photochromic contact lenses. Other themes of our research include organic/inorganic hybridized nanocomposite flame retardants, textile dyeings, and color physics for quality control.

  We collaborate with theoretical, physical, and analytical chemists, optical scientists, and biologists providing researchers a multidisciplinary training.