Polymer Nanomaterials Laboratory
Park's Research Group
Research & Initiatives
The Polymer Nanomaterials Laboratory at Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea focuses on controlling the interfaces between neutral and charged (or highly polar) species in order to prepare polymeric (or hybrid) nanomaterials for energy, healthcare, and industrial applications.
We are now studying polymeric nanomaterials used in three research disciplines
- Nanomedicines for cancer therapy based on photothermal and photodynamic effects, combined with immunotherapy
- Photocatalysts and piezoelectric systems based on conjugated polymer-metal/metal oxide hybrids
- Functional fibers/textiles/composite hydrogels with photothermal/antiviral/antimicrobial properties
Features of researches in PNL
- We aim to investigate assemblies of organic and polymeric semiconductors, including conjugated polymers, for aqueous-based applications. These include nanoplatforms for biomedical use, piezoelectric textiles, and photocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide into low-carbon hydrocarbon fuels, hydrogen production through water splitting, degradation of wastewater and air pollutants, and the elimination of bacteria and viruses.
-At the fundamental level, we systematically investigate energy and charge transfer processes from organic and polymeric semiconductors to species in the surrounding environment, using analytical techniques to characterize assembly structures and understand their photophysical properties.
-From a self-assembly perspective, we investigate the interactions between amphiphilic molecules, such as phospholipids and surfactants, and polymers to generate water-dispersible nanostructures with diverse morphologies, including spheres, rods, wires, cubes, and porous architectures.
[Inside Front Cover] Adv. Healthcare Mater. 2025, 14(11), 2570063 (April 25)
Dual-Enhanced Nanohybrids for Synergistic Photothermal and Photodynamic Therapy in Cancer Treatment
[Front Cover] Macromol. Res. 2025, 33 (1), 77-84. (Jan. 08)
Antibacterial functional textiles bearing zwitterionic polymer nanoparticles
[Back Cover] Nano Energy 2024, 125, 109597 (June 15)
Photothermally-activated piezo-pyroelectric multifunctional hybrid energy harvester for motion sensing and thermal therapy
[Supplementary Cover] Biomacromolecules 2024, 25,, 1709-1723 (March 11)
Pectin Nanoporous Structures Prepared via Salt-Induced Phase Separation and Ambient Azeotropic Evaporation Processes
