Research subject: Development of new organic reactions and functional materials
One of the ultimate goals of our research group is to obtain advanced functional
materials composed only of ubiquitous elements, such as carbon, oxygen,
and nitrogen, avoiding use of rare or toxic elements. For this purpose,
we are interested in designing and constructing new molecular structure
by developing new organic reactions making use of the properties of metallic
elements.
We are also promoting domestic and international joint research projects
with scientists in various fields to explore materials science in terms
of evaluation of basic properties as well as various applications.
For more informtaion, see Recent Publications and PROUD BLUE Vol. 5(link to Kanagawa Univ. HP)
Highlight of recently published manuscripts
"Coherent Resonant Tunneling Electron Transport at 9 K and 300 K through
a 4.5 nm Long, Rigid, Planar Organic Molecular Wire"
ACS Omega 2018 (Collaborative work with Prof. Y. Majima in Tokyo Tech)
Coherent resonance tunneling electron transport through a molecular wire
was obsereved at room temperature (300K) for the first time. This was realized
by taking advantage of the use of a rigid planar molecular wire, carbon-bridged
oligo(p-phenylenevinylene)s (COPV), as well as thermal stability of gold
nanogap electrodes. The present work will open a way to molecular-size
transistors that operate under ambient conditions.
(Link to Press release: Go to read Manuscript)
"Carbon-bridged oligo(p-phenylenevinylene)s for photostable and broadly
tunable, solution-processable thin film organic laser"
Nature Communications 2015 (Collaborative work with Prof. Diaz-Garcia in Spain)
Carbon-bridged oligo(p-phenylenevinylene)s serve as optimal materials that realize many requirements
for the laser materials simultaneously as demonstrated by amplified spontaneous
emission (ASE) and distributed feedback laser (DFB) devices. Laser devices
using COPVs achieved remarkably low threshold and high net gain coefficients,
narrow linewidthas well as high photostability. The wavelength tunability
across the visible spectrum has been also achieved.
(Go to read Manuscript)
"Electron Transfer through Rigid Organic Molecular Wires Enhanced
by Electronic and Electron-vibration Coupling"
Nature Chemistry 2014 (Collaborative work with Prof. Guldi in Germany)
Carbon-bridged oligo(p-phenylenevinylene)s (COPV), which possess rigid
and flat pi-electron framework, shows up to an 840-fold increase in the
ET rate compared with the flexible molecular bridge counterparts.The rate
enhancement can be explained in terms of enhanced electronic coupling between
the electron donor and the electron acceptor and inelastic electron tunnelling
through COPV caused by electron–vibration coupling. The latter is unprecedented
for organic molecular wires in solution at room temperature.
(Go to read Manuscript)
Highlights: News & Views (by. J. R. Miller, Nature Chem. 2014, 6 (10), 854–855.),Chemistryworld (RSC).