Our lab explores the design, synthesis, and application of advanced reticular materials — from covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and porous organic frameworks (POFs) to novel inorganic–organic hybrids. We bring together chemistry, materials science, and nanotechnology to create functional materials with precisely engineered structures and properties.

Our work spans molecular design to real-world applications: developing entirely new framework chemistries, probing light–matter interactions to uncover fundamental optoelectronic behavior, engineering interfaces for high-performance membranes, and creating solid-state matrices to stabilize delicate biomolecules at room temperature. By blending creative synthesis with cutting-edge characterization, we aim to deliver materials that solve pressing challenges in energy, environment, health, and technology — while expanding the boundaries of what reticular chemistry can achieve.

We don’t just make materials — we design them to make a difference.

Not all frameworks are built alike- some are born from entirely new chemistry. We design and synthesize covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and related reticular materials, tailored for targeted applications ranging from separations to catalysis.By engineering at the molecular level — from node selection to linker chemistry — we explore structural tunability, functional diversity, and scalability. This approach enables us to unlock advanced materials with properties designed not just to meet, but to redefine, the demands of next-generation technologies.

Our work also ventures beyond known frameworks into entirely new material classes, most notably Nanoparticle Organic Networks (NONs) — a concept inspired by the modular design principles of MOFs and COFs, combined with the unique functionality of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs). In NONs, zero-valent MNP nodes are covalently linked with organic connectors, enabling structural tuning through the choice of both the metal core and the covalent linkage chemistry. As a proof of concept, we developed imine-linked silver NONs (AgNONs). This innovation opens the door to diverse NON compositions and applications, including catalysis, sensing, and energy storage, where the combined advantages of nanoparticle functionality and reticular design can be fully realized.

Sometimes, the most remarkable materials are built at the thin boundary where two liquids meet. Our group develops advanced reticular membranes through precision interfacial synthesis, where dynamic covalent bond formation is spatially confined to liquid–liquid boundaries. This approach allows us to produce uniform, defect-minimized, free-standing membranes with controlled thickness and morphology, tailored for both molecular separation and optoelectronic applications. One of our key innovations is the Triple-Layer Double Interfacial (TLDI) technique, in which three immiscible solvents of increasing specific gravity — each containing carefully chosen monomers — form two distinct interfaces. Polymerization at these interfaces proceeds simultaneously, producing two free-standing COF membranes in a single step. Compared to conventional single-interface methods, TLDI is both time- and solvent-efficient, enabling scalable fabrication of multiple membranes in parallel.

In one of our recent work, we designed free-standing amphiphilic organic membranes for ultrafast and efficient demulsification, as well as superoleophilic three-dimensional COF membranes capable of rapid water–oil separation. These materials combine chemical selectivity with structural robustness, offering sustainable solutions for industrial separations, environmental remediation, and next-generation filtration technologies. By integrating interface engineering with reticular chemistry, our work bridges the gap between molecular design and large-scale functional membranes for industrial and practical applications.

Light can do more than just reveal Materials- it can transform them. Our group is particularly dedicated to investigate how reticular framework materials responds to light across multiple spectral regimes. We focus on understanding their nonlinear optical behaviour, where intense light fields can trigger unique phenomenon such as harmonic generation and optical switching. by correlating molecular design, extended π-conjugation, and framework topology with optical response, we aim to establish clear structure–property relationships that guide the rational design of light-responsive materials. To learn more about nonlinear optical responses of COF, read our mini-review here.

Beyond nonlinear optics, we also probe the low-energy dynamics of these frameworks using terahertz (THz) spectroscopy, a powerful tool for studying carrier transport and excitonic behavior. Our group was the first to apply time-dependent THz spectroscopy to directly measure the intrinsic optical conductivity of COFs — a milestone that has opened new possibilities for assessing charge mobility without electrode interfaces. These studies allow us to disentangle the effects of pore architecture, crystallinity, and interlayer interactions on electronic performance. 

Labile bio-molecules don’t always need a freezer — sometimes, they just need the right home. We are currently exploring the use of reticular materials as solid-state storage matrices for room-temperature stabilization of critical and labile biomolecules such as nucleic acids and proteins. These materials, built from precisely engineered covalent or metal–organic frameworks, offer a customizable environment where molecular stability is enhanced by preferential host–guest chemical interactions, while the material morphology shields them from moisture, temperature fluctuations, and decomposing enzymes. TThis enables long-term preservation without reliance on cold-chain logistics, reducing costs and expanding access to diagnostics and therapeutic. In a recent study, we successfully designed and synthesized ionic COFs with nanotubular morphology that could host and store RNA at ambient conditions for up to 7 weeks. Read this work here.