(4bs) Molecular Design and Synthesis of Functional Two Dimensional Polymeric Materials

Plastics serve pivotal roles in nearly all facets of life. Their unique characteristics, such as resistance to chemicals and light, strength, malleability, and affordability, render them invaluable in numerous sectors of our global society. However, the production of plastics, which heavily relies on feedstock resources like fossil fuels, is unsustainable. Consequently, plastic recycling emerges as an effective solution to conserve feedstock resources and reduce production costs. During my Ph.D. studies in Chemical Engineering at Purdue University, I focused on the development of a novel series of recyclable polymers through topochemical polymerizations. This method is a highly efficient, solvent and catalyst free approach to polymer synthesis. Notably, the elongated carbon-carbon bonds in topochemical polymers can be cleaved, resulting in a depolymerization yield exceeding 99%. Moreover, I utilized various processing techniques, such as ultrasonication, to transform topochemical polymers into freestanding polymer thin films, and extrusion to produce filaments suitable for 3D printing. My doctoral research underscored the potential of circularly depolymerizable topochemical polymers as the foundation for the next generation of recyclable plastics. These plastics offer environmentally friendly synthesis, near-quantitative recycling yield, and extensive processability into various forms.

My current postdoctoral research focus at MIT is on a new type of polymer: two-dimensional polyaramids named as 2DPA-1. First reported in 2022, 2DPA-1 was synthesized via irreversible polycondensation reactions with an impressive reaction yield of over 50%. Notably, 2DPA-1 boasts exceptional mechanical properties, with a yield strength nearly twice that of structural steel. To delve deeper into the reaction kinetics and platelet size of 2DPA-1, I employed end-group analysis using ¹H NMR. Additionally, my development of 2D trajectories holds promise for effectively identifying polymer size, purity, and potential defects.

Research Interests

My upcoming research endeavors will center on the design and development of innovative two-dimensional polymeric materials, and these materials hold immense promise across critical areas including energy harvesting, polymer recycling, packaging and construction materials, and organic semiconductors. By bridging theory and practice, I aspire to contribute significantly to energy and environmental solutions.

Teaching Interests

With a solid foundation in both chemistry and chemical engineering, I am eager to contribute to the education of future chemical engineers. I am well-equipped to teach fundamental chemical engineering courses such as thermodynamics and process design. Meanwhile, as an experimentalist, I find immense value in hands-on learning. I am motivated to teach chemical engineering laboratory courses that allow me to guide students through practical experiments, safety protocols, and data analysis. Furthermore, I am particularly passionate about polymer science. Teaching courses related to polymer chemistry and physics would enable me to share insights into macromolecular structures, material properties, and real-world applications. My goal is to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a strong foundation in chemical engineering principles.