Functional Macromolecules Research Group
Research Topics
Our group started in 2024 and we are recently at the establishing stage. Currently, we are developing numerous research and industrial projects for national and international fundings. We aim to develop portable sensors to address the current environmental concern.
Our current research aims to fabricate materials to effectively detect, capture and eliminate pollutants from air and water. We also investigate highly sensitive and active optical materials such as lanthanide-based metal organic frameworks as optical sensors to detect toxic air pollutants including formaldehyde and VOCs.
The high surface area and versatile composition of MOFs allow to be tailored for specific analytes, combine with the predictable lanthanide optical emission properties.
Special Interests
We are experienced in a range of synthetic methodologies including
- Schlenk technique,
- extreme temperature (-70 to 300oC) synthesis,
- air sensitive methods,
- solvothermal and high pressure autoclave reaction,
- and mechanochemical synthesis.
We also have hand-on skills to perform comprehensive characterization and analysis of material properties using techniques such as:
- nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR),
- thermogravimetric analysis (TGA),
- powder x-ray diffractometer (PXRD),
- chromatography (i.e. HPLC, GC),
- surface area analysis,
- scanning electron microscopy (SEM),
- transmission electron microscopy (TEM),
- dynamic light scattering (DLS),
- ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis),
- Fluorometer
- and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy.
Specific interests:
- Synthesis and functionalisation of macromolecular complexes and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for sensing and photocatalytic applications
- Design new type of metal-organic polyhedral/cages (MOPs/MOCs)
- Develop porous soft materials including porous liquids and porous gels for functional applications such as separation and delivery systems
- Engineer porous materials for industrial applications
Current facilities in FunMaP Lab
We have state-of-art laboratory and comprehensive facilities to synthesize, characterize porous materials and demonstrate performance, both in solution and solid state.
For synthesis:
- ovens
- Schlenk lines
- ball mills
For characterization:
- UV-Vis spectroscopy
- fluorometer
- circular dichroism spectroscopy
- Flash Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC)
- chromatography
- BET surface area analyzer
Intellectual Property
Patents
- M. Y. Tsang, J. Cahir, D. Rooney, S. L. James, 2018, Porous Liquids, US11565212B2, filed May 2018. Granted January 2023.
- M. Y. Tsang, J. Cahir, S. L. James, 2018, Type-3 Porous Liquids, US11565212B2, filed November 2018. Granted February 2023.
