Functional & Dynamic Polymers Lab

Welcome to the Functional & Dynamic Polymers Lab. 

We harness chemistry to design and synthesise stimuli-responsive dynamic polymers and polymer composites with smart functionalities and applications.

As a young and diverse team, we aim to develop dynamic polymers and sensor technologies for societal good. Our research focuses on designing and fabricating polymeric materials in two key areas: covalent adaptable networks (CANs) and smart sensors and electronics. These contribute towards the UN Sustainable Goals of good health and sustainable cities.

KEY RESEARCH AREAS

Covalent Adaptable Networks (CANs) 

Covalent adaptable networks (CANs) are cross-linked polymers bearing dynamic covalent bonds. These exchangeable bonds endow CANs not only with high mechanical and chemical stability like thermosets, but also with stimuli-activated reprocessability.

Our research activities include:

• CANs for Sustainability
  With their dynamic covalent bonds, CANs are more easily recycled compared to traditional thermosets with permanent cross-links. To further reduce environmental impact, we work on CANs and their composites from renewable resources.

Selected Publications

• Covalent adaptable networks from renewable resources: Crosslinked polymers for a sustainable future. Chem 2023, 9, 2771.
  
• Fully biomass-derived vitrimeric material with water-mediated recyclability and monomer recovery. Green Chemistry 2022, 24, 5978.
  
• Functional polymers from CO2 as feedstock. In Circularity of Plastics, pp. 129–171. Elsevier, 2023.
  
• Vitrimers: Current research trends and their emerging applications. Materials Today 2021, 51, 586.

Smart Sensors and Electronics

Consumer electronics is a rapidly growing market, with high demand for miniaturised and easy-to-use devices. As a result, electronic waste is a growing environmental problem worldwide. We use our capabilities in polymer design and synthesis to create durable, healable and recyclable solid-state materials for miniaturised sensors and electronics.

Our research activities include:

• Solid-State Ion-Selective Electrodes (ISEs)
  ISEs measure the activity of target ions, giving electrical output with low power requirements. All-solid-state ISEs are miniaturised sensors; more conformable, portable, and fuss-free than the traditional ISEs. We create all-solid-state ISEs and reference electrodes (REs) via simple processing techniques. These can be used for healthcare and environmental monitoring.

• Healable Solid Polymer Electrolytes
  Polymer electrolytes are polymers bearing repeating charged groups which facilitate ion transport. We work on healable solid polymer electrolytes for ISEs and energy storage to make long-lasting, repairable devices.

Selected Publications

• Ion transfer voltammetry of amino acids with an all‐solid‐state ion‐selective electrode for non‐destructive phenylalanine sensing. Electroanalysis 2023, 35, e202200501.
  
• Solution-printable PEDOT solid-contact for nitrate-selective electrodes: Enhanced selectivity from anion dopant exchange. Analytical Chemistry 2022, 94, 15956. 
  
• Halogen Bonding Ionophore for Potentiometric Iodide Sensing. Analytical Chemistry 2021, 93, 15543.