Chemistry Seminar with Dr. Ron Smaldone from the University of Texas, Dallas at 4:00pm

Supramolecular Materials Design for 2D Polymers and 3D Printing

The Smaldone Research Lab focuses on the design and synthesis of advanced polymeric materials at the interface of organic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, and materials science.  One major research thrust centers on porous polymers and covalent organic frameworks (COFs). Our group develops new organic building blocks and synthetic strategies to produce highly ordered, permanently porous materials with precisely controlled structures. By investigating how molecular geometry, dynamic covalent chemistry, and intermolecular π-stacking influence COF formation, we can establish fundamental structure–property relationships that enable rational materials design.  Our current focus is on the synthesis of linker monomers containing amide sidechains that can stabilize pore sizes greater than 10 nm in diameter.  COFs with these properties are of significant interest as host materials for biomacromolecules such as enzymes.  

The second major research area is developing advanced polymeric materials for 3D printing. We use polymers with on dynamic covalent bonds that can be processed into mechanically robust printed objects while retaining the ability to repair, recycle, or reconfigure themselves. Our current projects in this area involve the design of new polymer foams and composite materials, whose bulk properties, such as catalysis, vapor filtration or mechanical properties can be significantly enhanced by 3D printing, rather than conventional fabrication.  Foams and composites make up a major fraction of industrially produced plastics; however, it remains challenging to 3D print them due to limitations in formulation design. Our group’s work shows that 3D printing can be used not only for custom manufacturing but also improve upon the properties and performance of a material compared with traditional processing methods like molding or film casting.

Bio:  Ron Smaldone was born in Detroit, Michigan and grew up in the surrounding suburbs.  He attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor where he studied chemistry and performed research under the supervision of Prof. Leroy Townsend.  After graduation he moved on to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he joined the laboratory of Prof. Jeff Moore and studied the reactive sieving behavior of m-phenylene(ethynylene) foldamers.  Upon receiving his Ph.D. in 2008 he began work at Northwestern University with Prof. Fraser Stoddart until accepting a position at the University of Texas, Dallas in 2012 where he is now a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. 

host: Dr. Chenfeng Ke