Functional Structured Materials

The first core of expertise of this research pole is divided in several interconnected areas: the development of 3D porous architectures including hierarchical organizations, Metal Organic Framework (MOF) or MOF-like systems, biologic, organic/inorganic hybrids, organic and organometallic catalysts, surfaces, and other materials based on carbon, boron, silicon, aluminum, lithium, and nanocomposites.

The second core of expertise is the functionalization of nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes, fullerenes (C₆₀), pillar-arenes, silsesquioxanes (POSS), crystalline porous organic salts, and surfaces. These materials and their applications cover various hot topics in chemistry and physics including: Li-batteries and electrolytes, CO₂ conversion, biomass conversion, photosynthesis, (photo)catalysis, inhibition of viral and/or bacterial pathogens, biomaterials, sensors, heterogeneous and homogenous catalysis, small molecules activation, supramolecular chemistry.

The characterization of these materials is performed using state of the art analytical facilities, such as NMR (both solid and liquid), X-ray diffraction analysis, high resolution mass spectrometry, chromatographic methods, SEM/TEM microscopy, nitrogen physisorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nuclear reactions and nano-indentation, elemental analysis, TGA/DSC analysis, stopped-flow spectroscopy.

Representative

Nikolay TUMANOV
nikolay.tumanov@unamur.be

Non-permanent members representative

Tarek BARAKAT
tarek.barakat@unamur.be