Catalyst to Polymer: Synergistic Materials Design

*This Lab. is not accepting new student.

Senior Lecturer：CHAMMINGKWAN, Patchanee

E-mail：
［Research areas］
Catalysis, Polymer Chemistry
［Keywords］
Heterogeneous catalyst, polyolefin, nanocomposite, adsorbent

Skills and background we are looking for in prospective students

We are looking for students who have chemistry-oriented skills. Basic knowledge in polymer chemistry and catalysis is preferred, but not imperative.

What you can expect to learn in this laboratory

You will gain knowledge in catalysis and polymer chemistry from both of the academic and industrial perspectives. You will be guided to develop your own research direction that is an essential stage to be independent in pursuing your research interest in the future.

【Job category of graduates】 Chemical Industry

Research outline

Catalyst designs for polyolefins

In spite of being at the top of the world polymer production, researches in polyolefins have been said as a mature area as the progresses have been made by the refinement of the existing materials. Meanwhile, growing concerns in environment and sustainability have brought polyolefins back to a spotlight due to their high life-cycle eco-efficiency, e.g., low energy consumption in the production process, recyclability for second-life use, etc. Likewise, the development of highly functional polyolefin materials with desired properties becomes essential for sustainable growth and to meet the requirement in today’s advanced applications. Our lab aims to develop methodology and knowledge to access a new class of polyolefins with tailored properties by synergistic catalyst and polymer design.

Hierarchically structured porous materials

High performance and multifunctionality of solid materials often arise from multicomponent and multidimensionality of structural features. The hierarchy of materials on porosity is also one of the keys for high material performance in many applications. We aim to develop a method for controlling the structure and morphology of hierarchically structured porous materials for catalysis and adsorption applications.

Key publications

1. P. Chammingkwan, L.T.T. Mai, T. Ikeda, P. Mohan, Nanostructured magnesium oxide microspheres for efficient carbon dioxide capture, J. CO₂ Util. 2021, 51, 101652-101652.
2. P. Chammingkwan, Y. Bando, L.T.T. Mai, T. Wada, A. Thakur, M. Terano, L. Sinthusai, T. Taniike, Less entangled ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene produced by nano-dispersed Ziegler–Natta catalyst, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2021, 60, 2818-2827.
3. P. Chammingkwan, M. Wannaborworn, L.T.T. Mai, M. Terano, T. Taniike, P. Phiriyawirut, Particle engineering of magnesium ethoxide-based Ziegler-Natta catalyst through post-modification of magnesium ethoxide, Appl. Catal. A: Gen. 2021, 626, 118337.

Equipment

Parallel stirred reactor system, spray drying machine, light-scattering, electromagnetic spinning viscometer, several units of high pressure reactors, etc.