Innovating for a Greener Future through Advanced Materials Science

NAGAO Laboratory
Professor：NAGAO Yuki

E-mail：
［Research areas］
Protonics, Polymer Chem., ElectroChem. Coordination Chem., Surface Chem.
［Keywords］
Proton Conductive Materials, Self-assembly, Electrochemical Catalysts, Fuel Cells, Energy Conversion, Sensors, Battery

Skills and background we are looking for in prospective students

Our group respects your diverse research background. We are looking for students who can keep a high motivation to tackle new research while demonstrating your strengths. It is vital to create a laboratory where research staff and students can share the spirit of co-prosperity.

What you can expect to learn in this laboratory

Through twice a week seminars conducted in English, specifically research discussion and literature introduction, you will acquire the ability to examine and think oneself, with the help of supervisor and seniors. As a practice opportunity, you will study on polymer chemistry, surface chemistry, electrochemistry, coordination chemistry etc. You also acquire following things. 1. Problem discovery and solution method. 2. Material synthesis and various analytical methods. 3. Interpretation method of data based on logical thinking and presentation skill.

【Job category of graduates】
University faculty in home country, Chemical company, Energy company

Research outline

Securing diverse energy resources is an urgent issue for resource-poor Japan to achieve sustainable development. And it is a dream of mankind to create hydrogen and oxygen from common water, and to create carbon materials using carbon dioxide as a resource. A hydrogen society is necessary for the decarbonized society that is rapidly progressing in the world. We are researching ion-conducting polymer materials, inorganic materials, and organic-inorganic hybrid materials using interfaces that can be applied to fuel cells, batteries, and sensors that support the hydrogen society. Let's contribute to a hydrogen society together with us.

Research Themes

1. Research on fuel cell performance improvement
   Proton transport property in polymer organized structure
   OH^- ion transport property in polymer thin films
2. Research on Li ion battery performance improvement
   Precise polymer arrangement for electrolyte-electrode interface
3. Rechargeable proton batteries
4. Research on external force response sensors using ion transport
5. Ion switching by coordination compounds (Dr. Aoki, Assistant Professor)

Fig. 1 Schematic of our research. Materials science for development of polymer electrolyte
fuel cells, batteries, tactile sensor, and ion switching.

Key publications

1. Y. Yao, H. Watanabe, M. Hara, S. Nagano, Y. Nagao, Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline Property and Organized Structure in High Proton-Conductive Sulfonated Semi-Alicyclic Oligoimide Thin Films, ACS Omega, 8, 7470 - 7478 (2023).
2. F. Wang, S. Nagano, M. Hara, Y. Nagao, Hydration and OH^-/Br^- Conduction Properties of Fluorene-Thiophene-Based Anion Exchange Thin Films Tethered with Different Cations, ACS Appl. Polym. Mater., 4, 5965 - 5974（2022）
3. F. Wang, D. Wang, Y. Nagao, OH^- Conductive Properties and Water Uptake of Anion Exchange Thin Films（Selected as The Cover Feature）, ChemSusChem, 14, 2694 - 2697（2021）.

Equipment

Material analyzer (IR, UV-Vis, NMR, GPC, XRD, TG-DTA)
Electrochemical equipment (LCR, CV, in situ QCM, fuel cell, battery test system)
Surface analyzer (XPS, in situ GIXRS, XRR, white interference, AFM)
Molecular orientation analyzer (IR, pMAIRS, polarized microscope)
External synchrotron and neutron experiments