Research in Polymer, Materials, Organometallic, and Catalytic Chemistry

Chen group's research lies at the interfaces of polymer and organometallic as well as inorganic and materials chemistries. Our current research interests encompass three major areas: (a) precision polymer synthesis through development of new polymerization reactions exhibiting a high degree of control over not only polymerization characteristics (e.g., activity, efficiency, polymer molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, etc.) but also polymerization stereochemistry including stereoselectivity, diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity; (b) renewable energy and sustainability through catalytic depolymerization or conversion of nonfood biomass into fuels or platform chemicals and polymerization of biorenewable feedstocks or specifically designed monomers for environmentally sustainable polymers or active layers of PV solar cells; and (c) nanomaterials through the synthesis as well as synergistic organic self-organization and inorganic collapse of polymer/inorganic nanocomposite materials and hybrid polymers consisting of covalently linked organic and inorganic entities or domains. Subareas categorized under each of the three major areas are outlined as follows:

• Stereospecific and living coordination polymerization for stereoregular polymers
• Asymmetric coordination polymerization for optically active, chiral polymers
• Diastereospecific ion-pairing polymerization for stereo-multi-block polymers
• Single-site anionic polymerization for living polymers by drop-in process
• Polymer-transfer polymerization for controlled, high MW polymers

• Lignocellulosic biomass conversion into fuels or fuel components and top-valued chemicals
• Catalytic conversion of biorenewable and polar monomers to sustainable polymers
• Metal-based and organic catalyst design and synthesis
• Polymer-based photovoltaic solar cells

• Stereochemically & morphologically controlled polymer/silicate nanocomposites
• Covalently linked stereoregular organic-inorganic hybrid polymers
• Nanostructured assemblies of hybrid composites and polymers