Our Research
Our research group is interested in research topics across multiple domains. Scroll down to explore each facet of our current research and interests.
Conjugated polymer Grafted from Cellulose Nanocrystals
Cellulose nanocrystals have fascinating properties like high aspect ratio, mechanical strength, and liquid crystalline behavior while being a bio-sourced and sustainable material. However, their insolubility and low dispersibility in most solvents make their processing challenging. In our group, we take advantage of CNCs’ ability to form stable emulsions (Pickering emulsions) at an oil/water boundary to open up more synthetic pathways to modify their surface and broaden the applications beyond packaging and mechanical reinforcement and into fields like electronics, sensing, and molecular delivery systems.
Oxidized Cellulose Nanocrystal particles modified with Eosin Y and their application as Organophotoredoxcatalyst
This research is focused on advancing a well-known photoredox catalyst, Eosin Y. Utilizing Hobt/PyBOP peptide coupling, we graft this catalyst onto oxidized nanocellulose (grafted: a, ox CNC: b). The primary objective of this work is to make strides in sustainable photoredox chemistry, particularly in the realm of heterocatalysis. This innovative approach aims to facilitate the efficient recovery of the catalyst, a crucial aspect given the challenges posed by the toxicity of Eosin Y. Currently, the research is in the phase of thorough characterization, systematic testing, and practical applications of the grafted cellulose, aiming to further explore and comprehend the promising potentials of this approach.
Cellulose Nanocrystal Thin Films for Antifogging
Current practices to promote antifogging on various transparent materials require heavy use of perfluoroalkyl compounds or extensive surface modification. Our aim is to take advantage of the numerous hydroxyl groups on nanocellulose and investigate this material as a potential alternative to induce antifogging properties on different materials. Using a variety of surface techniques including AFM, contact angle goniometry, and haze meter, we have been investigating the structure-property relationships of CNC with various solvents and their effects on obtaining transparent coatings and quantifying how CNCs are able to achieve antifogging.
Nanocellulose Aerogels for CO2 Capture
The progressively increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration has caused enough alarm to spur research focused on reducing global CO2 output. The overall goal of this research project is to create a new technology platform that can cheaply and effectively remove CO from industrial waste streams (i.e. smokestacks). To accomplish this goal, we propose an interdisciplinary approach encompassing expertise in the fields of polymer chemistry, material science, and engineering, as outlined in the four specific objectives below. The core of the proposed materials is nanocellulose, an abundant, but currently underutilized biomass. Our project represents the creation of an entirely new process to produce value-added products, namely nanocellulose aerogels for CO2 capture. When combined with simple amino acids these aerogel materials have extraordinary CO2 capture capacity. This project will allow us to make, test and begin to examine commercial feasibility of these new materials.