Hierarchically Structured Biomaterials and Nanomembranes

The goal of my research group is to develop novel biomaterials for applications in biotechnology and medicine. The materials are based on a new class of multifunctional network polymers, which are prepared via conversion of a crystalline template structure (metal-organic frameworks, MOF). This novel class of materials combines the advantages of MOF, namely their precise molecular structure and high compositional and structural variability, with the advantages of polymer gels, namely their stability in physiological media and their biocompatibility.
Such hierarchically structured materials, which are optimized at all length scales relevant for cellular activity could offer the necessary micro-environmental cues for cellular proliferation or differentiation in the right place and at the right time, which makes these biomaterials ideal candidates for applications in cell culture, tissue engineering, medical implants or wound dressing.

In additional projects we develop thin membranes of only a few nanometer thickness composed of different microporous polymers. Freestanding nanomembranes of the porous polymers with a hierarchical composition are prepared by a layer-by-layer (LbL) synthesis on sacrificial substrates. The membranes and thin films can find application in gas and liquid phase separation as well as in organic electronics.

Special expertise

• Microporous Polymers
• Biointerfaces
• Material Chemistry
• Interfacial Synthesis