Research

Research Themes †

Inorganic solids are divided into two categories depending on the alignment of atoms or ions; crystals and amorphous. For the alignments of atoms and ions in amorphous solids, there is no periodicity, long-range ordering, and translational symmetry which are usually found in crystals. However, in the short-range structure, there are some similarities with crystal structure. From the viewpoint of “functional materials”, chemical composition of amorphous solids can be varied continuously whereas it is fixed in crystals. Functionality of amorphous solids can be thus extensively altered. Besides, utilizing amorphous solids as host materials, a number of characteristic functions can be attained by introducing various guest species.

Figure: 2-D representation of (Left) Crystalline and (right) amorphous Al2O3
(W. H. Zachariasen, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 54, 3841, 1932.)

In our laboratory, based on the similarities and differences between crystal and amorphous solids, we are studying chemistry and materials science of crystal and amorphous solids. Especially in the recent research, liquid-phase synthesis such as sol-gel, characterization and analysis of porous solids with crystal and amorphous structures are ongoing. Our research started with purely inorganic solids; however, recently we are playing with organic-inorganic hybrids and purely organic polymer gels as well.

Followings are some of the research themes ongoing now:

1. Synthesis and Structural Analysis of Amorphous Solids with Unique Thermal and Mechanical Properties,
2. Structural Control of Porous Amorphous Solids by the Liquid-Phase Process and their Application to Separation Science,
3. Synthesis of Novel Porous Ceramics Utilizing Ionic Precursors,
4. Nano Structural Control and Mechanical Properties of Novel Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Aerogels (please visit Kanamori's website for details),
5. Synthesis of Novel Porous Cross-Linked Polymer Gels by Living Polymerizations (please visit Kanamori's website for details),
6. Evaluation of Pore Properties Utilizing Thermoporometry,
7. Facile Synthesis of Transparent Monolithic Titania Gels Utilizing a Chelating Ligand and Mineral Salts,
8. Synthesis of Macroporous Carbon Monoliths from Poly(divinylbenzene) Networks.
9. Synthesis of Marshmallow-like Highly Flexible Porous Gel Derived from Co-precurser Systems. (please visit the articles 1, 2, 3)