Charles G. Overberger Collegiate Professor of Chemistry, and Macromolecular Science & Engineering
About
Our research program stands at the interface of materials chemistry with a number of more traditional chemistry disciplines. Organic synthesis and coordination chemistry are extensively used to make polymers, explosives, and organized assemblies. Targets are chosen for their potential to have novel properties and methodology development is a critical component of many efforts. Two major research thrusts are:
Controlling crystal polymorphism and multicomponent crystallization. The ability of molecules to crystallize in more than one arrangement in the solid state has profound implications for a variety of phenomena including solid state reactivity and pharmaceutical performance. We are developing techniques to control the process of crystallization in a general fashion with the goal of making materials with improved functionality. Our key approaches exploit polymers as phase directors and inhibitors of crystallization. Focus areas include pharmaceuticals, explosives, propellants, and organic electronic materials. Combinatorial materials chemistry plays a vital role in these efforts as do advanced analytical techniques including X-ray microdiffraction, thermal analysis, dissolution testing, and Raman spectroscopy.
Porous materials. Coordination polymers with high levels of porosity are being intensively investigated. New synthetic methods pioneered in the group are leading to materials with unprecedented structural properties. Both fundamental studies on processes such as gas adsorption, supramolecular isomerism, and host-guest chemistry are conducted alongside applications in gas (hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane) storage and separations in liquids. Key techniques applied to characterize materials include X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and adsorption analysis.
More focused projects include understanding laser-kidney stone interactions, new polymer synthesis for drug delivery, membranes for redox flow batteries, and novel applications of Raman spectroscopy.
Representative Publications
Du Bois, D. R.; Matzger A. J., “Reagent Reactivity and Solvent Choice Determine Metal–Organic Framework Microstructure during Postsynthetic Modification” J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2021, 143, 671–674.
Bennion, J. C.; Matzger A. J. “Development and Evolution of Energetic Cocrystals” Acc. Chem. Res., 2021, 54, 1699-1710.
Suresh, K. Aulakh, D. Purewal, J., Siegel, D. J., Veenstra, M., Matzger, A. J., “Optimizing Hydrogen Storage in MOFs through Engineering of Crystal Morphology and Control of Crystal Size” J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2021, 143, 10727-10734.
Shalini, S.; Matzger A. J.; “Ethylene oxide functionalization enhances the ionic conductivity of a MOF” Chem. Commun., 2022, 58, 5355-5358.
Nath, K.; Ahmed, A.; Siegel, D. J.; Matzger, A. J., “Computational Identification and Experimental Demonstration of High-Performance Methane Sorbents” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2022, 61, e202203575.
Bellas, M. K.; Matzger, A. J., “Peroxosolvate discovery method leads to first cocrystal with three energetic components” Chem. Commun., 2022, 58, 8806-8809.
Bellas, M. K.; Matzger, A. J., “Discovery strategy leads to the first melt-castable cocrystal based on an energetic oxidizing salt” Chem. Sci., 2022, 12, 12100-12106.
Nath, K.; Ahmed, A.; Siegel, D. J.; Matzger, A. J., “Microscale Determination of Binary Gas Adsorption Isotherms in MOFs” J. Am Chem. Soc., 2022, 144, 20939-20946.
Wright, K. R.; Nath, K.; Matzger, A. J., “Superior Metal-Organic Framework Activation with Dimethyl Ether” Angew. Chemie Int. Ed., 2022, 61, e2022131
Kelsall, K. N.; Foroughi, L. M.; Frank, D. S.; Schenck, L.; LaBuda, A.; Matzger, A. J., “Structural Modifications of Polyethylenimine to Control Drug Loading and Release Characteristics of Amorphous Solid Dispersions” Mol. Pharm., 2023, 20, 1779-1787.
Research Areas(s)
- Energy Science
Materials Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Sensor Science
Sustainable Chemistry
Polymers/Organic Materials
Award(s)
- Rackham Distinguished Graduate Mentoring Award 2019
- Akron ACS Award 2015
- Imes and Moore Faculty Award, 2012
- Beckman Foundation Young Investigator Award, 2003
- 3M Nontenured Faculty Award
- Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award
Fellowships
- American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow, 2011
- Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship, 2005
