PI & Head of Nanochemistry Lab, External Scientific Lead (Remote), NanoTRIZ

Research Summary

I have experience in the design and synthesis of water-, acid-base-, and thermally stable metal-organic frameworks(MOFs), as well as nanomaterials and multifunctional materials featuring molecular ligands. I have explored variouschemical technologies, covering advanced and novel sensors, adsorbents, and energy materials.

Sensor technology

I have worked on various sensor technology projects, including tactile sensors that utilize Hydroxyl-Decorated SilverMetal-Organic Frameworks (Ag-MOFs) to detect Cr2O7²⁻, MnO4⁻, humic acid, and Fe³⁺ ions. In this project, I designeda new array of ligands linked to Ag-MOFs, which showed promise for detecting these ions at micro-levelconcentrations. Results from luminescence, EEM spectroscopy, and PXRD measurements indicate that the MOFs arefast, stable, and reusable for water analysis (https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.2c22871). In another study, I developed amolecular probe for colorimetric and spectroscopic detection of metal ions such as Cr³⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, and Gd³⁺. Thisprobe, featuring shifts in absorption maxima and fluorescence quenching, allows for detection through variousmethods with broad linear ranges and low limits of quantification (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157242).Additionally, I collaborated on a gas sensor project that developed a humidity-resistant CeO2/In2O3 nanocomposite-based chemiresistor for the detection of formaldehyde. This sensor detects formaldehyde concentrations from 1 to 50ppm, with a high sensitivity and a detection limit of 13 ppb. I also explored advancements in metal-organicframeworks, enzymatic systems, and nanocomposite platforms for next-generation wireless sensors, enablinginnovative solutions for monitoring analytes and physiological signals in real-time(https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202410023).

Energy technology

Recently, I studied new and emerging concepts in advanced materials for energy harvesting, specifically exploringthe potential of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and MXene membranes in osmotic energy applications. Theprimary focus of my research was a comprehensive analysis of osmotic energy harvesting (OEH) systems that utilizeadvanced materials. MOFs and MXenes exhibit promising properties for efficient osmotic-to-electric energyconversion. A critical emphasis on MOFs and MXenes highlights their unique structural advantages, including highsurface areas, tunable pore structures, and robust ion transport channels. These attributes make them ideal candidatesfor OEH applications. Through a detailed exploration of the synthetic processes, structural modifications, andintegration techniques of these materials, I have come to understand and emphasize their suitability for scalable andefficient OEH devices (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101457). In addition to this, I also investigated theharvesting of sustainable osmotic energy by studying the art of nanofluidic hydrogel membranes. My research aimedto enhance the understanding of how nanofluidic hydrogel membranes can be effective in osmotic energy harvestingdue to their unique properties. A critical examination revealed that these membranes are composed of hydrogelscontaining embedded nanofluidic channels, which offer high selectivity for ions and molecules, making them idealfor osmotic processes. My work explores how to harness the osmotic pressure difference between two solutionsseparated by the membrane to generate sustainable energy (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jechem.2025.01.074).

Removal and adsorption technology

In the field of removal technologies, I participated in developing new triazole-decorated silver(I)-based cationic MOFsthat featured a transition from a fluorine atom to a trifluoromethyl group. The enhanced electron-withdrawing abilityof the trifluoromethyl group contributed to the formation of higher-dimensional MOFs with distinct properties. Myprimary role involved designing these synthesized MOFs to serve as effective adsorbents for dyes, enabling theselective removal of anionic dyes from mixtures, as well as oxoanions such as MnO4– and Cr2O72– from water(https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.0c03688). In another project, I investigated porous covalent organicframeworks (COFs), which are promising materials for separation and purification in environmental remediation. Thiscritical work focused on two main aspects: first, it examined strategies to improve the design and structure of COFsand evaluated their impact on separation performance; second, it elucidated engineering approaches to enhance theinteractions between COF-based adsorbents and metals, thereby improving their separation and capture capabilities.I also discussed the latest research on using COF-based adsorbents to separate various metals, including Li, K, Sr, Hg,Cd, Pb, Cr, Au, Ag, Pd, and U. This research aims to identify the factors influencing their performance(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cis.2025.103507). Specifically, I investigated analogous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)for removing Hg2+ ions from water. This work covered the development of MOF adsorbents, the role of functionalsites for detecting heavy metal ions, their removal potential, underlying principles, and the properties of MOFs.Additionally, I presented comparative studies of various functionalities versus sulfur functionalities in MOFs,highlighting adsorption interactions, kinetics, isotherms, challenges, and future perspectives(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2022.121471).