Research

Our research program integrates principles of inorganic, organic, and supramolecular chemistry to develop advanced materials and uncover new reactivity. We explore molecular materials with unprecedented photophysical, redox, and magnetic properties, with applications in semiconductors, energy storage, biological imaging, quantum information science, and beyond. We also investigate cooperative reactivity between main-group and transition-metal elements to develop new chemical transformations that address energy-related challenges. To learn more, feel free to reach out to Heechan at heechan.postech@gmail.com.

Light-emitting materials

Even state-of-the-art light-emitting materials continue to face challenges in efficiency, stability, brightness, and color purity. We develop new molecular design principles to overcome these limitations by harnessing thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), circularly polarized luminescence (CPL), room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP), and other emerging photophysical mechanisms.

Redox-active materials

Redox switching of molecular materials has broad implications for electrochemical energy storage, electrochromics, and carbon capture. We develop modular strategies that combine multiple redox-active organic motifs with transition metals to create novel molecular and supramolecular systems with precisely tunable redox potentials, kinetics, and charge-storage capacities.

Magnetic and quantum materials

Designed from the bottom up with atomic precision, organic radicals offer unique opportunities for quantum information science, enabling delicate control over their electronic, magnetic, and optical properties. We systematically investigate the structure-property relationships of organic polyradicals to establish design principles for next-generation quantum materials.

Small-molecule activation

The activation and transformation of small gaseous molecules are important for addressing current energy challenges. Main-group elements in unusual oxidation states exhibit unique reactivity for small-molecule activation. With a particular focus on low-valent p-block elements, we investigate their ability to enable new modes of bond activation and catalysis.