Newly discovered two-dimensional (2D) polymers consist of covalently bonded molecular tiles (ligands) that extend across two dimensions to form layered van der Waals (vdW) materials similar to graphene and other 2D inorganic materials (MoS2, WSe2, h-BN, etc.). Our team focuses on the synthesis, fabrication, and manufacturing of 2D polymers, 2D metalorganic frameworks, as well as 2D halide perovskites. The ultimate goal of this sub-research direction is to i) find new class of 2D polymers, ii) understand their optical, magnetic, and catalytic properties, and iii) find ways to engineer the interlayer coupling between adjacent layers to realize superior quantum properties. We primarily use hydrothermal synthesis and chemical based techniques to realize these material systems. Our fundamental questions within this thrust are:
- How can one engineer the ligand chemistry and interlayer interaction strength through molecular engineering at the nanoscale?
- What are the new classes of 2D polymers and how can they be experimentally raelized?
- What are the fundamental properties and applications of these two dimensional polymeric membranes?
- How can we manufacture 2D polymers at large scales without sacrificing from their crystalline properties?
Selected publications
- Achieving Morphological Control over Lamellar Manganese Metal‐Organic Framework through Modulated Bi‐Phase Growth
Angewandte Chemie - Unusual Pressure‐Driven Phase Transformation and Band Renormalization in 2D vdW Hybrid Lead Halide Perovskites
Advanced Materials - 2D coordination polymers: Design guidelines and materials perspective Applied Physics Reviews
- Ultimate Control over Hydrogen Bond Formation and Reaction Rates for Scalable Synthesis of Highly Crystalline vdW MOF Nanosheets with Large Aspect Ratio Advanced Materials