Developing Polymer Photocatalysts for Sustainable Chemistry and Energy
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Research Highlights
This study (Adv. Mater. 2024, 2404054) elucidated the overlooked correlation between particle size and energy efficiency in polymer photocatalysts. Here, a dispersion polymerization technique was developed to control the size of conjugated microporous polymer (CMP) nanoparticles from 15 nm to 180 nm. By analyzing the relationship between the particle size and photocatalytic reactivity through modeling and femtosecond time-resolved spectroscopy, the study revealed that the accessibility of substrates to excitons with short lifetimes significantly impacts the energy efficiency of polymer photocatalysts. Consequently, CMP nanoparticles synthesized based on these design principles achieved over 10-fold improvement in energy efficiency photocatalytic reactions compared to conventional CMPs.
News
[2026.08.13] New Publication
Our new research article, “Red-Light-Absorbing Donor–Acceptor Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles Enable Efficient and Biocompatible Photobiocatalysis,” has been published. Huan Dang from the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research is the first author, and SK contributed as a co-corresponding author.
[2026.07.16] Invited Talk at IPS-25
SK gave a talk entitled "Controlling the Size of Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles for Efficient and Robust Visible-Light Photocatalysis."
[2026.07.06] Welcome our Research Intern
Haein will synthesize a new polymeric dispersant over the summer.
[2026.06.01] InnoCORE Fellow Recruitment
Representing the DGIST InnoCORE E-MatAX, SK visited London, Munich, Mainz, and Zurich to recruit talented researchers.
[2026.04.23] Invited Talk at KIChE
SK gave a talk on next-generation polymer photocatalysts as sustainable alternatives to noble-metal photocatalysts, highlighting their potential for sustainable chemistry and energy conversion.
Contact
Phone: (+82)053-785-6454
E-mail: seunghyeonkim@dgist.ac.kr
Address
Lab: E6-517/518
Office: E6-413
Department of Energy Science & Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST)
333 Techno Jungang-daero, Hyeonpung-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
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