Research

Current Research Projects

Reactive Polymer Synthesis and Application Development

Reactive polymers serve as versatile precursor materials as their properties can be easily tuned via post-polymerization reactions. The functionalized polymers exhibit rich structures and properties and thus can be utilized in a wide range of applications. We work on the development of highly reactive polymers, with a particular focus on pentafluorophenyl (PFP) ester based polymers. We then utilize the PFP-based homopolymers and block copolymers as precursors to synthesize various brush copolymers for both fundamental morphology investigation and practical material application.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a cheap, renewable, and easily accessible carbon source, commonly generated as a waste gas in enormous quantities globally. The utilization of CO2 as a feedstock for polymer production represents a feasible solution to mitigate CO2 emissions and realize a net-zero carbon economy. We conducted catalytic cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxides to prepare cyclic carbonate monomers, then utilize the cyclic carbonates to generate homopolymers and copolymers. Current projects include the synthesis of CO2-derived polyurethane homopolymers and copolymers and CO2-derived poly(cyclic carbonate methacrylate) block copolymers as solid-state polymer electrolytes.

DNA-Containing Copolymers

A key component of effective gene therapy is the delivery of DNA to the target cells. As DNAs are negatively charged and prone to enzymatic digestion, proper delivery requires the DNAs to be condensed and to assume size and surface properties suitable for cell transfection. We tackle this issue by modifying the DNA segments with hydrophilic polymers to create DNA-polymer conjugates, then complexing the DNA-polymer conjugates with positively charged molecules to form polyelectrolyte complex micelles (PCMs). The PCM morphology is examined by X-ray scattering and microscopy, and the characterization data are used to guide our design process.  

Saccharide-Containing Block Copolymers

Saccharides are naturally occurring and renewable resources that may offer a more sustainable alternative to petroleum derived materials. However, natural polysaccharides have limited thermal stability and thus difficult to use in high-temperature applications. We are exploring the synthesis of glycopolymers and block copolymers. These materials contain monosaccharides as pendant groups and saturated carbon chain backbone, thus are expected to show improved thermal stability while retaining the functionalities of saccharides. We are actively investigating the microphase separation behavior of glycopolymer-based block copolymers and utilization of the material in biomedical applications.