New Frontiers in Porous Materials Synthesis
The Xiao lab develops new strategies to control the structure of crystalline porous materials across multiple length scales, from the molecular to the macroscale. By coupling innovative inorganic and organic synthesis, we are developing nanoporous metal–organic architectures that replicate the exceptional conductivity of conjugated carbon nanomaterials, the structural complexity and catalytic activity of enzymes, and the desirable physical properties of soft matter.
Conjugated Metal–Organic Nanostructures
The discovery of conjugated carbon nanoallotropes transformed the materials landscape and fueled new technological innovations. We seek to extend these structural motifs to hybrid metal–organic materials. We are exploring diverse 0D, 1D, and 2D metal–organic nanostructures with extended conjugation and well-defined interior cavities.
Templating
Cooperative
Active Sites
We are pioneering new strategies to precisely template multiple functional groups within porous frameworks. Our approach will enable the creation of diverse cooperative active sites for heterogeneous catalysis and guest binding, including bimetallic species and acid–base bifunctional sites.
Soft
Nanoporous Materials
We will design a new class of liquid crystals featuring rich interior and exterior surface chemistry. We will investigate their fundamental phase behavior and responsiveness to external stimuli, as well as employ these materials for targeted applications in electrochemical and membrane-based devices.
