The Polymer Nanohybrid Materials Laboratory (PNML) aims to establish innovative progress in multidisciplinary nanoscience and biotechnology-related fields, focusing on polymer science and convergence nanomaterials. We design hybrid systems through the rational and multi-dimensional integration of candidates within a diverse materials library (e.g. polymers, metals, inorganic materials, semiconductors, biomaterials, quantum dots, and carbon materials).
The resulting hybrid nanomaterials unlock new functionalities, ascribed to the harmonious cooperative and synergistic effects between neighboring nanocomponents, finding interdisciplinary application in research fields such as energy, environment, display, and biomedical theragnosis. While we primarily conduct fundamental research to understand the improved physical properties of these novel materials and the underlying reaction mechanisms in ensuing applications, we have also taken critical steps to uncover the scalability and practicality of our results.
Intrinsically, our group primarily focuses on the self-assembly phenomenon to drive the synthesis of nanostructures formed by intermolecular interactions (including secondary bonding). This strategy finds ample application towards nano and bio-related research areas, in line with the availability of numerous candidates and their scalability/versatility for specific applications. In this optic, our research team is particularly interested in the systematic understanding and exploitation of the underlying phenomena, e.g. supramolecular chemistry, block copolymer self-assembly, and biomolecule self-assembly.
In the wider focus spectrum, our group also aims to shed light on the promising applications of these nanomaterials, while responding to key global issues, including health paradigms, a hydrogen-driven economy, and zero carbon dioxide emissions. One of our key interests focuses on energy conversion and storage, which is of prime interest towards the development of green nanotechnology platforms assuring future sustainability. We strive to set new milestones while improving the performance of solar cells, fuel cells, and high-energy storage systems by designing novel catalyst nanomaterials essential for electrode and device optimization. We are particularly interested in the (photo)electrocatalytic production of H2, CO2 reduction, and the detection and degradation of environment pollutants. Towards the development of display devices, our group has also reported results of excellence in the development of high-performance light-emitting devices (LED) through the molecular design and process optimization of perovskite materials, which have gathered increasing attention as next-generation technologies following organic/quantum LED counterparts. Within the biomedical realm, we are interested in the extensive study of nanomaterials for diagnosis and treatment applications. Based on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) phenomenon of noble metal architectures, we develop systems unlocking photodynamic, photothermal, and multi-therapeutic effects for cancer treatment, while also developing biosensors with high sensitivity, high selectivity, and multiple detection performance based on the same principles. We are equally interested in the assessment of next-generation lithography techniques using self-assembled polymer nanopatterns for nanoelectronic devices including organic thin-film transistors, photodetectors, and memory devices.
PNML concentrates its efforts on building new paradigms involving the synthesis and application of advanced functional materials and promoting research of excellence. Our interdisciplinary approaches combine the knowledge of our members on materials science (e.g. comprehensive assessment of the properties of polymers, metals, semiconductors, biomaterials, and quantum dots), physics (with a focus on optical and electromagnetic properties), and chemistry (establishing the basis for the design, synthesis, and modification of low-dimensional nanocomposite materials). One of the features of our group has also been the recognition of the value of teamwork, with members establishing active collaborations with several world-leading research groups in Korea and abroad. Enthusiastic students and researchers who possess relevant experience or interest in multidisciplinary fields including bioengineering, nanotechnology, nanomaterials, and device development are welcomed to join us!