I joined the Ahn’s research group in January 2005. Our group is interested in benzene-base tripodal oxazoline(BTO) receptors as these can provide multiple interaction sites toward given analytes. So one of the my project is a synthesis of these receptors and study of their molecular recognition properties. Second project involves selective anion sensing taking advantage of transition-metal complex with TFA moiety. Lastly, I am concerned about DSSC(dye-sensitized solar cell) having new  organic dyes.

Dye-sensitized solar cell

Given the imperative to reduce carbon emissions, a debate is currently underway on the contribution solar power should make to electricity supply. Photovoltaics, the direct conversion of sunlight to electricity, is the simplest way to tap our largest sustainable and indigenous energy source. All that is needed is a semiconductor with the appropriate bandgap to absorb the sunlight and generate electrons and holes, and some mechanism, such as a semiconductor diode junction, to separate the respective carriers, allowing the flow of electricity. However, semiconductor is taken issue with mass production because it need clean process. From this point of view, organic materials have the advantage of being cheap and easy to process. They can be deposited on flexible substrates, bending where their inorganic competitors would crack. The choice of materials is practically unlimited, and specific parts of the solar spectrum can be selectively absorbed. Although organic cells are still considerably less efficient than single-crystal gallium arsenide or silicon, progress has been impressive over the past few years.

Benzen-based tripodal oxazoline receptor

Our research in the area of the molecular recognition and sensing is focused on the development of artificial receptors for the selective recognition of biogenic organoamines and inorganic anions of clinical interest. We have developed a new type of receptors based on benzene-based tripdoal oxazolines ligands (BTO), which has several unique features as a promising receptor system:

- Structurally simple

- Symmetric

- Ready to synthesize

- Various derivatives are available

- Well preorganized conformation

- Multiple interactions are expected