Materials Chemistry Division

Overview

The Materials Chemistry Division educates and performs research of the latest developments of new materials and functional substances, while training human resources to possess advanced expertise and creativity with regard to manufacturing innovations that contribute to the establishment of an affluent and vibrant society. We offer some subjects that are common to other departments, including not only the design and synthesis of compounds at a molecular level, and evaluation of their physical properties and performance, but also development from the viewpoint of chemistry of environmentally-conscious, energy-related materials such as solar cells, and processing technology that supports the manufacturing industry in terms of production machinery and transportation equipment such as vehicles and aircraft.

Laboratory introduction

For faculty member details, see the staff introductions.

Laboratory	Catalysis, separation engineering
Faculty members	Professor UEMIYA Shigeyuki Associate professor MIYAMOTO Manabu
Research details	Our laboratory conducts research developing materials (catalysts, separation membranes, adsorbents, etc.) with the purpose of applications in high-efficiency hydrogen production and utilization, carbon dioxide capture and sequestration, reactions and separations related to energy carriers, and combined processes of reactions with separation.

Laboratory	Catalysis, separation engineering
Faculty members	Associate professor KOMURA Kenichi
Research details	Our laboratory group conducts research of catalytic reactions by utilizing characteristics of porous inorganic materials such as zeolites and mesoporous silica with nano-sized pores. In particular, we aim to establish environmentally-friendly, green and clean catalytic reaction alternatives to chemical processes and reactions that significantly impact the environment. Also, we are engaged in designing and synthesizing porous materials for such purposes.

Laboratory	Inorganic materials chemistry
Faculty members	Professor BAN Takayuki Associate professor TAKAI Chika
Research details	Our laboratory conducts research of inorganic nanomaterials in solution processes such as the sol-gel method, featuring the utilization of chemical reactions between metallic components and organic additives in aqueous solutions when synthesizing nanomaterials and manufacturing films. We also aim to apply the resulting structural features to optical materials. In addition, based on powder technology, design of multi-scale structure of powders, development of structural evaluations, and applications as functional powder-based materials are conducted, such as hollow nanoparticles, porous nanoparticles, nano-sized fibers, etc.

Laboratory	Soft-matter chemistry
Faculty members	Professor KUTSUMIZU Shoichi Professor MIWA Yohei Assistant professor HASHIMOTO Kei
Research details	Soft-matter chemistry refers to that of soft materials such as polymers, liquid crystals, and colloids. Our laboratory studies the functionalization of a bicontinuous cubic liquid crystal that forms an interpenetrating structure during microphase separation, and an ionomer that is an ionic polymer, in terms of controlling the dynamic aggregation structure by utilizing self-organization.

Laboratory	Organic chemistry, computational chemistry
Faculty members	Professor KOKETSU Mamoru Associate professor UDAGAWA Taro
Research details	Organic compounds are important molecules of pharmaceuticals and pesticides that support human life. Our laboratory investigates molecular structure-activity relationships by isolating and purifying various functional organic molecules from plants that are bioactive. Based on the findings, we engage in the preparation of compounds with increased activity through organic synthesis. In addition, due to advancements of computer technologies in recent years, experimental chemists have become familiar with quantum chemistry simulations. Our laboratory conducts chemical reaction analyses using existing methods, but has also developed our own original computing method (multi-component molecular theory) that enables consideration of the quantum effects of lightweight nuclei, such as hydrogen nuclei. In response to globalization, we encourage students to study abroad as much as possible. We also accept international students and postdoctoral fellows from many countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Nigeria, Tanzania and elsewhere, to provide an environment that allows for international exchanges to occur in the laboratory.

Laboratory	Organic chemistry, computational chemistry
Faculty members	Professor FUNABIKI Kazumasa Associate professor INUZUKA Toshiyasu Associate professor KUBOTA Yasuhiro
Research details	Our research focuses on the synthesis, isolation, and utilization of organic functional molecules related to the keywords "organofluorine chemistry," "functional dye chemistry," and "natural product chemistry." We are challenging to contribute to the next generation of manufacturing, energy, and information society at the molecular level through the collaboration of faculty, students, and companies from the unique perspective of our group!

Laboratory	Organic chemistry, computational chemistry
Faculty members	Associate professor OGIWARA Yohei
Research details	New molecules by new reactions - our research group focuses on the development of "novel reactions" and "novel methodologies" in organic synthesis. We aim to explore, develop, and understand new organic reactions, and their application to chemical recycling/upcycling and practical chemicals.

Laboratory	Inorganic materials engineering
Faculty members	Professor SHIMA Mutsuhiro Associate professor YAMADA Keisuke
Research details	With the aim of increasing the functionality of equipment utilizing magnetic materials and spintronics products or devices that use the engineering of both electron charges and spins, our laboratory conducts basic and applied research, for example: synthesis of nanomagnetic materials such as magnetic film, magnetic wire, and microparticles; control of structure and physical properties; measurement of electrical conductivity and thermoelectric properties by controlling electron spins in solids; and clarifying the related mechanisms.

Laboratory	Photoelectrochemistry
Faculty members	Professor SUGIURA Takashi Associate professor MANSEKI Kazuhiro
Research details	Our research activities involve interdisciplinary science dealing mainly with nanoscale semiconductor materials and photo-electrochemistry. We aim to develop platform techniques of efficient light-electricity (fuel) conversion from the sun, an inexhaustible, clean energy source. In particular, we focus on the chemical synthesis of a wide range of nanomaterials including organic-inorganic and inorganic compounds, paving a new approach to create high-performance photovoltaic devices (dye-sensitized and perovskite solar cells) and artificial photosynthesis systems (water-splitting photocatalysts). One of the key materials we pay attention to is titanium dioxide and their thin-films whose microstructures and physicochemical properties can be precisely controlled in order to produce the nanomaterials-based 'mesoscopic' devices as mentioned above. Studies on versatile photoenergy conversions are currently underway in our Lab.

Laboratory	Functional polymer chemistry
Faculty members	Professor TAKENO Akiyoshi Associate professor IRISAWA Toshihira Assistant professor TAKAHASHI Shinya
Research details	Our laboratory conducts research of two themes in the development of new functional materials. One is the creation of new films, fibers, and composite materials by imparting optical, mechanical, and electrical functions into porous polymers and polymer surfaces. The other theme is control of stickiness and adhesiveness based on analyses and modifications of polymer surfaces.

Laboratory	Functional polymer chemistry
Faculty members	Associate professor KIMURA Hiroshi
Research details	Experimental research is being conducted on colloidal dispersions (such as colloidal crystals, thixotropic fluids, and dilatant fluids) to control their dispersion states and rheological properties. The studies include: • Clarification and control of drying patterns of physical gels in clay-water dispersions • Control of rapid sedimentation/floatation of colloidal particles in water using an electric field • Reversible/irreversible control of the rheological properties of deionized clay-water dispersions using an electric field • Elucidation of the mechanism behind the dilatant effect of colloidal crystals

Laboratory	Coordination Chemistry
Faculty members	Professor EBIHARA Masahiro Associate professor UEMURA Kazuhiro
Research details	Coordination compounds consist of metal ions and designable organic ligands, which are expected to exhibit properties and functions that surpass those of inorganic or organic compounds. We aim to synthesize metal complexes as basic units, align them in the solid state, and explore novel physical properties. In particular, we are interested in cluster metal complexes where multiple metal ions are assembled within a single molecule, with a focus on metal-metal electronic interactions, mixed valence states, near-infrared light absorption, and spin dynamics.

Department of Materials Science and Processing