Metal-organic frameworks for memories and mechanical energy harvesting
A ferroelectric is a polar material of which the polarization direction can be switched by an electrical field. These materials can be used as non-volatile memories, and as harvesters of mechanical energy. The goal of our research is to rationally design ferroelectric metal-organic frameworks. We envision their use in a diverse range of physically flexible electronics.
Crystallisation
In our development of materials, also the macroscopic shape of the crystalline materials is vital. For accurate characterisation of the structure we need large single crystals, for their applications in electronics patterned thin films are generally needed. Therefore we devote significant effort into growing our materials in these shapes.
Photocatalytic metal-organic frameworks
Solar energy is the most abundant form of sustainable energy that can replace fossil fuels. Yet synthesizing chemical fuels photocatalytically, needs to improve greatly in efficiency. To achieve a high overall efficiency ,the transfer of the photogenerated charges between each of the different components of the photocatalyst should be efficient. The versatility of metal-organic frameworks form an excellent platform to unravel the mechanisms governing charge transfer.
Spectroscopy and Computational Modelling
The goal of our research is to obtain detailed insight in the structure/properties relationships of our materials, so we can use this knowledge to guide the synthesis of new and better materials. We use a variety of techniques to obtain inside into their structure under the influence of light and electrical fields, pump-probe spectroscopy to probe dynamics on the ultrafast time scale, as well as computational screening and DFT calculations of materials.
