1. Fundamental Polymer Chemistry: We develop new catalysts and initiators for heterocycle polymerization. Currently, we are focused on aluminum based compounds to polymerize epoxides to make functional polyethers. Our polymerizations are relatively sustainable as aluminum is Earth-abundant and polymerizations are done without solvent and at mild temperatures. We investigate catalyst structure - polymerization kinetics relationships through experiment and theory (with Prof. Jose Mendoza-Cortes). Publications coming soon involving other heterocycles!
Researcher: Niloofar Safaie
Collaborators: Prof. Kohji Ohno (Kyoto University), Prof. Jose Mendoza-Cortes (MSU)
Publications: Niloofar Safaieα, Bandana Rawalγ, Kohji Ohno, Robert C. Ferrier, Jr.†, Aluminum-based Initiators from Thiols for Epoxide Polymerizations, Macromolecules, 2020, 53 (19), pp 8181–8191
2. Charged and Ion Containing Polymers for Energy and Environment: We synthesize new charged and ion containing polyethers and investigate composition - property relationships.
Researchers: Gouree Kumbhar, Shaylynn Crum, Danielle DeJonge
Collaborators: Prof. Shiwang Cheng (MSU)
3. Polyether-based Separation Membranes: We make functional polyether-based membranes for gas and liquid separations.
Researchers: Dr. Geetanjali Shukla, Gouree Kumbhar
4. Polymers for Biomedical Applications
Researchers: Mayson Whipple