Research

Structure, Bonding, and Redox properties of Rare-Earth Metal Complexes

Our central focus will be on the study of the fundamental understanding of the structure, bonding, and electrochemical properties of rare-earth metal-based complexes. Incorporation of new ligand scaffolds to enhance f-orbital contributions to bonding and electron correlation will be explored.

Emergent Molecular Materials

Synthesis of functional molecular materials with rare-earth metals will be explored to harness emergent quantum properties, such as superconductivity, transport properties, and unusal magnetic ordering, for advanced technological development. The properties of RE, such as strong spin-orbit coupling, f-orbital shielding, and large magnetic anisotropy, are well-suited to the design and synthesis of such molecular materials. The rich quantum states based on the principles of quantum coherence and strong electron correlation can be accessed by incorporating these rare-earth metals.

Photophysical and (Photo)catalytic behavior of Rare-Earth Metals

The uniquie and versatile photoluminescent properties of rare-earth metal complexes will be exploited for applications in biomedical areas as sensors and medical probes for sensing and imaging. Further, the photophysical properties, such as long lifetimes and the highly reducing nature of RE complexes via tuning ligand environments, make them highly reducing photosensitizers applicable in photocatalysis.

Small Molecule Activation

Activation of small molecules like nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen is a very important yet difficult process. However, isolation and stabilization of highly active and electronically rich, low-valent rare-earth metal complexes will be one of the pathways to achieve such small-molecule activation. The proton-coupled multi-electron transfer processes via multimetallic and/or metal-ligand cooperativity will be used for small-molecule activation and value-added chemical transformations.

Separation and Recovery Methods for Rare Earths (RE)

The separation and recovery of RE are essential due to their critical role in modern technologies, clean energy systems, and global supply dependence on certain countries. Their similar chemistry makes separation challenging, requiring advanced methods such as efficient solvent extraction, with emerging sustainable approaches, including electronic waste recycling, bioleaching, and selective ligand design based on hard and soft acids and bases. One of the goals of our research group is to develop sustainable processes for the separation and recycling of RE.

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