RESEARCH

Ref）https://iupac.org/what-we-do/periodic-table-of-elements/

We are engaged in the development of new materials by incorporating various elements into organic compounds and forming complexes. Our current focus is on main-group elements such as boron (B), aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), and indium (In). However, we are also exploring the potential of utilizing as many elements from the periodic table as possible to initiate novel lines of research.

The wide variety of shapes that organic compounds possess — which are not limited to rectangles, squares or rhombuses — makes it extremely challenging to align multiple organic molecules in an orderly fashion through complexation. This process is known as co-crystallisation.

The aim of this research is twofold: (1) to establish co-crystallisation techniques, and (2) to create novel functions unique to composite materials by leveraging the molecular shapes of organic compounds and their intermolecular interactions.

To date, we have successfully developed composite materials that exhibit unique properties such as fluorescence, phosphorescence and various sensing capabilities. Recently, we have also started using mechanochemistry to reduce the use of organic solvents during the preparation of such composite materials.