Research

We focus on the rational design and synthesis of organic, short- and long-chain polymeric, and metal–organic hybrid molecules for the development of functional materials with precisely tuned structural and physicochemical characteristics.

Our research explores how these tailored molecules self-assemble, adopt defined conformations, or organize into porous frameworks. We investigate the resulting properties in the context of next-generation electronic materials and crystalline porous materials for molecular recognition and selective uptake of guests with a special emphasis on environmental sustainability.

While the areas below reflect some of our core interests, our research is not confined to them.

Donor-Acceptor Charge-Transfer Interactions

Donor–acceptor (D–A) charge-transfer (CT) interactions are central to the design of wide range of functional organic materials. Depending on the system, these interactions can be intramolecular or intermolecular, and they manifest in solution and/or solid states. They govern key properties such as electroluminescence, ferroelectricity, conductivity, and nonlinear optical response, which arise from charge delocalization, dipole formation, and molecular polarization. By tuning the molecular geometry and the atoms involved in the D–A systems, we aim to develop multifunctional materials with precisely tailored optoelectronic and electronic properties.

Organic Spintronics

Spintronics harnesses both the spin and charge of electrons to enable low-power, high-speed data processing, efficient storage, and secure communication. Unlike inorganic semiconductors with short spin-relaxation times, organic radicals offer longer spin lifetimes, weak spin-orbit coupling, and extended spin lifetimes. Our goal is to design self-assembling organic radicals that align under magnetic fields, enhancing unidirectional spin and charge transport through macroscopic ordering.

Organic Semiconductors

Organic semiconductors are essential for next-generation organic electronic devices. However, the development of n-type materials lags behind p-type counterparts, mainly due to their lower stability under ambient conditions and inferior charge-carrier mobility. This scarcity stems from the limited molecular design strategies that meet the stringent requirements for n-type performance. So, we aim to address this challenge through rational molecular design to enhance electron mobility, ultimately enabling more affordable and energy-efficient organic-based electronic devices.

Soft Porous Crystals

Crystalline porous materials (CPMs) such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) offer tunable porosity, high crystallinity, and chemical stability, making them attractive for applications in sensing, gas separation, energy storage, water purification, drug delivery, and catalysis. While MOFs and COFs benefit from robust coordination or covalent bonds, HOFs—constructed via reversible hydrogen bonding—add further advantages such as enhanced solution processability and ease of regeneration. Beyond their static porosity, a promising direction involves developing soft porous crystals—materials capable of reversible structural transformations in response to external stimuli such as guest molecules, light, or electric fields. These dynamic transitions between closed and open forms can greatly enhance material responsiveness and function. However, such behavior has so far been largely limited to specific MOF systems. Expanding this dynamic versatility across different classes of CPMs, including metal-free architectures, presents an exciting opportunity for the development of next-generation adaptive porous materials.

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