Research within the Scherman group exploits host-guest chemistry to design and create dynamic materials. We use macrocycles to control molecular level interactions at colloidal, polymeric and small molecule interfaces. Our expertise spans from organic synthesis to material design with applications in sensing and the formation of novel composite materials.
We are currently building a state-of-the-art set up, which couples fluorescence microscopy with real-time rheology. Using our knowledge in design and synthesis of self-assembled materials such as hydrogels we will use this new set up to decouple fast molecular dynamics (supramolecular physical crosslinks) from slower chain entanglements within hydrogel systems. The insight we gain will have wide-ranging implications in future functional material design.
RELEVANT PAPERS
Cucurbituril-based Molecular Recognition Chem. Rev. 2015, 115, 12320.
One-step Fabrication of Supramolecular Microcapsules from Microfluidic Droplets Science, 2012, 335 , 690.
Supramolecular Polymeric Hydrogels Chem. Soc. Rev. 2012, 41, 6195.
Ultrahigh-Water-Content Supramolecular Hydrogels Exhibiting Multi-stimuli Responsiveness J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 11767.
E oas23@cam.ac.uk
T 01223 331797
W www.ch.cam.ac.uk/group/scherman