Associate ProfessorJack Chen

Research Areas:

* Cellulose as Pickering emulsifiers

* Surface and Interfacial science

* Self-assembly and emergent properties

* Dynamic, stimuli-responsive functional systems
* Green catalysis and sustainable chemistry

Current Research Projects:

Cellulose-based Surfactants

Our group is developing sustainable cellulose-based particles that act as highly efficient Pickering emulsifiers, stabilizing emulsions without the need for conventional surfactants. Inspired by natural materials, we engineer the surface properties of cellulose particles to create robust, multifunctional interfaces capable of replacing petroleum-derived ingredients in a wide range of formulations, for applications in cosmetics, personal care, agriculture, food, paints and coatings. Beyond their immediate industrial relevance, these materials provide new opportunities to understand how particle interfaces can be programmed to control emulsion stability, rheology, and interfacial function, supporting the transition towards more sustainable and high-performance formulations.

for more information, see Dot Ingredients, and pending patent applicadtions: Janus-type Spherical Cellulose Particles and Process for making Janus-type Spherical Cellulose Particles.

Dynamic self-assembled systems responsive to external stimuli

Our group is interested in the way molecules self-organize into functional architectures. We are currently utilizing self-assembly to construct dynamic structures that possess emergent properties. This is possible by utilizing cooperative effects – where multiple functional groups work together to exhibit properties that are not observed in the original building blocks. Such dynamic systems allow the introduction of stimuli-responsive moieties that allow these systems to respond to chemical fuels, light and other external stimuli. Such responsive systems offer exciting possibilities for the development of smart materials and dynamic chemical systems with the potential to exhibit ‘intelligent’ and adaptive properties.

for more information, see: Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 15254-15258


Substrate-Induced Self-Assembly of Cooperative Catalysts

A substrate is shown to induce the self-assembly of a cooperative catalyst, leading to its own destruction. Nature exploits the same strategy to obtain high-energy structures such as microtubules and to drive non-equilibrium phenomena.

for more information, see: Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 16469-16474