Research
Research Themes
Natural polyphenol-based functional materials
Polyphenols, widely found in plants, are renowned for their antioxidant properties and diverse chemical functionalities. Our research explores the use of natural polyphenols in the development of innovative functional materials, ranging from bio-inspired coatings to environmentally friendly adhesives and sensors. By leveraging the unique reactivity, coordination-driven assembly properties of polyphenols, we design materials that offer sustainability, biocompatibility, and advanced performance in biomedical, electronic, and environmental applications.
Liquid metal chemistry and catalysis
Liquid metals, such as gallium and its alloys, exhibit remarkable properties, including high conductivity, low toxicity, and tuneable surface chemistry, making them an exceptional materials platform for catalytic applications. Their dynamic surface chemistry, coupled with excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, allows them to host diverse reactive species and facilitate a wide range of chemical transformations. Our research focuses on leveraging these unique properties, particularly in gallium-based systems, to develop advanced catalysts (liquid catalysts) for sustainable chemistry, energy conversion, and environmental remediation. By exploring their self-regenerating surfaces and ability to stabilize reactive intermediates, we aim to design next-generation catalytic systems that surpass conventional solid-state catalysts in efficiency, adaptability, and longevity.
Polyphenol/liquid metal composites
By merging the bio-inspired versatility of polyphenols with the dynamic properties of liquid metals, we create hybrid materials with unprecedented functionalities. These composites exhibit enhanced mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties, making them ideal for applications in flexible electronics, smart coatings, and sustainable energy systems. Our research focuses on tuning the interfacial interactions between natural polyphenols and liquid metals to develop advanced materials with self-healing, light-absorbing, and shape-adaptive features.