Interests

We aim to find a solution to emerging the environmental issues through

Rational design and fabrication of functional nanofiber-based membrane with desired properties and structure.
Recycling and upcycling of synthetic polymer via physical/chemical treatment.
Understating properties and behaviors of natural polymers for broadening its application and replacing synthetic polymers.
Development of membrane-based filtration system for environmental remediation.
Development of polymeric material for resource recovery.

Z-Scheme 기반 그린 수소생산을 위한 친환경 모듈화 기술 개발
열섬효과 완화를 위한 복사냉각 방열효율 95% 이상의 기능성 폐섬유 리사이클링 보도용 블록 개발
고효율의 희소 금속 흡착을 위한 비표면적이 극대화된 고강도 기능성 섬유 원천 기술 개발
저비용 리-리사이클이 가능한 폐섬유 업사이클링 블록(패널) 성형 공정 단순화 기술 개발
친환경 전자소자 개발을 위한 천연소재 기판 개발

Research Project

Research Theme

Nanofiber

Nanofibers belong to a group of most interesting and promising materials due to their unique physicochemical properties, i.e., extraordinary porosity with interconnectivity, high surface area, and high applicability.

We fabricate nanofiber via electrospinning technique, and tailor the properties of nanofiber through surface functionalization. From this, we aim to expand the applicability of nanofiber, and suggest the application in the field of membrane science.

Block with fabric waste

The exponential growth of textile waste creates serious environmental problems.

We investigate a novel upcycling strategy for textile waste by producing fabric-waste block. This contributes to solving environmental issues by reducing textile waste.

Chemical Recycling

Chemical recycling is a promising way to achieve the closed-loop recycling for synthetic polymer i.e. polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The post-consumer PET is depolymerized into bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) through glycolysis and BHET can be polymerized again to produce recycled PET (rPET).

We aim to develop the effective recycling system of PET fabrics. For this, depolymerization and repolymerization processes are being investigated. Our efforts hope to pave the way for promoting chemical recycling of PET waste with optimal processing conditions for energy- and material-efficient plastic recycling.

Biodegradable Polymers

Biodegradation is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi.

In order to expand the application of biodegradable polymers, various applications using cellulose, PLA, and PBAT are being studied.

Our goal is to provide a solution that can ultimately replace synthetic polymers with biodegradable polymers.