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Research Topic

Sustainable Chemistry

& Circular Economy

01

Sustainable Polymers

Polymer recycling processes often involve high temperatures, high pressures, or harsh chemical conditions, which can lead to a degradation of initial properties or the use of toxic substances. Recognizing these limitations, our research laboratory is actively engaged in studying various aspects related to polymer recycling.

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Our research focuses on:

  1. Suppressing property deterioration caused by fatigue effects in polymers.

  2. Introducing self-healing functionalities to enhance the durability of recycled polymers.

  3. Developing high-performance vitrimers, which exhibit properties similar to glassy materials, for improved recycling capabilities.

  4. Exploring new polymers using environmentally friendly monomers.

 

By conducting research in these areas, we aim to contribute to the development of recyclable functional materials that can be applied in flexible electronics, energy systems, and environmental materials. Our ultimate goal is to facilitate the development of sustainable and circular functional materials, building upon the foundation of our studies on mitigating property degradation, incorporating self-healing capabilities, and exploring novel polymer compositions using eco-friendly monomers.

02

Artificial Photosynthesis for Fuel Production & Sustainable Polymers

We are actively engaged in synthesizing novel photocatalysts and photocatalyst-bacteria hybrid materials to develop artificial photosynthesis systems. Through this research, we aim to efficiently produce hydrogen energy and valuable compounds with high yields. Additionally, our focus is on effective conversion of waste plastics into hydrogen energy and the efficient production of bio-plastic precursors.

By combining the unique properties of our synthesized materials, we strive to create efficient artificial photosynthesis systems. These systems have the potential to convert waste plastics into hydrogen energy effectively or produce bio-plastic precursors with high efficiency. Our research contributes to the development of sustainable energy and the utilization of waste materials, paving the way for a more environmentally friendly future.

03

Functional Polymers for Energy & Environment 

We focus on the development of energy and environmental materials through the design of porous polymers, polymer electrolytes, binders, and conductive polymer inks.

1) Porous Polymers

We aim to apply the logical design and control of the interfacial structure of porous polymers to achieve precise separation characteristics. This allows us to develop high-performance environmental purification and energy separation membranes.

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By strategically designing the interfacial structure of porous polymers, we can tailor their pore size, surface chemistry, and surface area to optimize their separation capabilities. These membranes can be utilized in various applications, including water purification, gas separation, and energy harvesting.

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The logical design and control of the interfacial structure enable us to create membranes with enhanced selectivity, permeability, and stability. We explore advanced fabrication techniques, such as template synthesis, surface modification, and composite membrane formation, to achieve precise control over the membrane properties.

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Through our research efforts, we aim to contribute to the development of high-performance membranes that effectively purify the environment and facilitate efficient energy separation processes. These membranes have the potential to address critical challenges in industries such as water treatment, gas separation, and renewable energy generation.

2) Polymer Electrolytes and Binders

​We are developing novel polymer electrolytes and binders through logical design approaches to enhance the performance and stability of next-generation solid-state batteries. Our aim is to contribute to the development of environmentally friendly batteries by enabling more efficient processing and control over interfacial properties. Additionally, we seek to provide effective recycling methods for spent batteries.

3) Conductive Polymer Inks

We have been applying methods to minimize the use of toxic solvents in the dispersion of conductive fillers and polymer synthesis. Through this approach, we are developing high-performance conductive inks. These inks can be produced using more environmentally friendly processes and are suitable for applications such as 3D printing, enabling the development of high-performance sensors and energy storage materials.

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