Alzamly Laboratory

Research Interests

Dr. Alzamly’s research program is driven by a commitment to advancing innovative materials that address critical challenges in energy, the environment, and human health. His work integrates principles of inorganic chemistry, materials science, (photo)catalysis, and nanotechnology to design functional materials with precisely engineered structural and electronic properties. Centered around metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and related porous architectures, my research explores how rational material design can unlock transformative applications in solar energy conversion, carbon management, environmental purification, and biomedical technologies. This interdisciplinary approach allows his group to bridge fundamental discoveries with impactful real-world solutions. A core component of Dr. Alzamly’s work is the design, synthesis, and functionalization of MOFs and other advanced porous materials. My group constructs frameworks with tunable structures, engineered active sites, and controlled charge-transfer behavior to create versatile platforms suitable for catalytic, environmental, and biomedical applications. These materials serve as the foundation for exploring both fundamental structure–property relationships and applied performance in technologically relevant systems.

Photocatalysis and solar energy conversion form the major thrust of Dr. Alzamly’s research. My group engineers photoactive MOFs and hybrid MOF-based systems with tailored band gaps and optimized charge-transport pathways, enabling efficient light-driven reactions. These materials are investigated for photocatalytic CO₂ reduction to fuels and value-added chemicals, water splitting for hydrogen production, and artificial photosynthesis, as well as for the broader activation of small molecules under solar irradiation.

In the area of carbon capture, utilization, and conversion (CCUS), Dr. Alzamly’s group develops functionalized porous frameworks capable of selectively capturing CO₂ under ambient conditions and catalyzing its transformation into useful products. These systems are designed to integrate both capture and conversion steps, enabling sustainable pathways for producing fuels, polymers, and fine chemicals from waste carbon emissions.

Dr. Alzamly also explores the biomedical potential of MOFs, with a particular emphasis on antimicrobial activity. His recent work demonstrates the antibacterial properties of copper-based MOFs against bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus, highlighting their promise in combating microbial contamination. Additional directions in this area include MOF-based drug delivery systems, antimicrobial coatings, and the integration of MOFs into biomedical devices, expanding the role of porous materials in healthcare technologies.

Environmental remediation represents another important dimension of my research. My team designs multifunctional MOFs that can remove pollutants through adsorption, catalysis, and photocatalysis. These materials target a range of contaminants, including heavy metals, organic dyes, pharmaceutical residues, and hazardous industrial pollutants, emphasizing solutions that combine high efficiency, selectivity, and reusability.

My research also explores the use of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as advanced materials for gas sensing applications. Leveraging their high surface area, tunable porosity, and chemical functionalizability, MOFs can selectively detect a wide range of gases with high sensitivity and stability. My work focuses on integrating MOFs into various transducer platforms, including chemiresistive, capacitive, and quartz crystal microbalance sensors, to develop next-generation gas sensors for environmental monitoring, industrial safety, and medical diagnostics.