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Our research interests are focused broadly on the design, synthesis and characterization of unique polymers, vitrimers, and polymer architectures with emphasis on the development of synthetic methodologies that allow for the preparation of complex nanostructured materials (i) to address plastic recyclability issue; (ii) for biomedical applications. We wish to explore step-growth polymerization- reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization; and light-induced Nitrile Imine-mediated Tetrazole–Ene Cycloaddition (NITEC) polymerization method.
Polymer Nanoparticles
Synthesis of stimuli-responsive folding and unfolding polymeric single-chain nanoparticles (SCNP) for drug delivery and enzyme/protein immobilization. Here we report facile synthesis of well-defined functionalized polymer using orthogonally approach that further used to prepare light responsive cross-linked SCNP’s via NITEC method.
Polymerization Induced Self-Assembly (PISA)
Recently polymerization-induced self-assembly mediated by reversible addition− fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) aqueous dispersion polymerization has quickly become a powerful and versatile technique for the synthesis of a wide range of diblock copolymer nano-objects of controllable size, morphology, and surface functionality. PISA can produce diblock copolymer nanoparticles in the form of either spheres, worms or vesicles, with the final copolymer morphology being dictated primarily by the relative volume fractions of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks. Given its potential scalability, such environmentally friendly formulations are expected to offer many potential applications, microencapsulation vehicles, and sterilizable thermo-responsive hydrogels for the cost-effective long-term storage of mammalian cells.
Hydrogels
Synthesis of polymer based hydrogels, whose properties can be altered at any position or time. These property can be changed while inducing user controlled triggers, such as light or enzymes. These materials enable the selective alteration of properties for applications of interest, such as dynamic cell culture, therapeutic delivery, and regenerative medicine. Light induced nitrile imine-mediated tetrazole–ene cycloaddition (NITEC) polymerizations will be used to make hydrogels for drug/gene delivery.
Polymer for Enzyme / Protein Immobilization
The concept of confining the immobilization of enzymes using block copolymer is completely new. In current proposed research, I wish to investigate the use of functional block copolymers as self-assembling units to create nanostructured materials. Indeed, starting from different synthetic approaches for multi-functional polymers, the processing of the produced macromolecules will split our activities in two main applications: i) polymeric films displaying hetero-functional nano-domains to precisely position molecules, ii) one-pot, attachment of biologically pertinent molecules for enzyme immobilization.
Vitrimer - Recyclable Plastics
The development of recyclable plastics is an important research aspect in today’s world due to its non-renewability and environmental issues. The major issues with conventional cross-linked materials are poor recyclability and healability, most thermoset waste is disposed of via incineration or landfill. To overcome this issue, researchers have shown great interest in the modification of thermosetting polymer using vitrimer chemistry. Vitrimers are one of the classes of plastics derived from traditional thermosetting polymers. Vitrimers have a cross-linked structure like thermosets but they can be recycled like thermoplastics.
