Nanomaterials and Polymer Chemistry
Staff & Contact
| Educational Staff | Prof. Hiroharu Ajiro Associate Prof. Tsuyoshi Ando Assistant Prof. Chanthaset Nalinthip Assistant Prof. Ryohei Ikura |
|---|---|
| URL | https://mswebs.naist.jp/LABs/ajiro/english.html |
Education and Research Activities in the Laboratory
Based on the concept of “molecular technology”, this laboratory was established in 2015 to conduct functional polymer materials research in the field of polymer chemistry. The laboratory transitioned as one of core laboratory at Materials Science Division at NAIST in 2019. Students who are interested in polymer synthesis and nanomaterials are welcome. The development of functional polymer materials requires various knowledge including organic synthesis, analytical methods, and materials design, all of which are covered in the laboratory. Moreover, our functional materials will contribute to medical devices, energy related materials, and environmentally friendly polymer materials. We offer a thorough education through discussions, presentations, and participation in academic conferences and meetings so that students become qualified researchers.Research Themes
In this laboratory, high-performance polymers and functional polymers are prepared by various approaches such as molecular design, polymer structure control, and effective polymer-polymer interaction.1. Control of Polymer Structure
Precise polymerization, flow system, and material processing are utilized in order to create the novel polymer structure and material. For example, star- and cage- shaped polymers, as well as narrow PDI, by living radical polymerization, well-defined and cyclic polymers by development of novel polymerization methods, and non-woven fabric with low molecular weight compounds by electrospinning process method.2. Degradable Polymer
Molecular design of the novel monomers contribute to medical and environment. For example, medical materials, long-term drug release, and environmentally friendly polymers are created by poly(trimethylene carbonate derivative)s with ester free structure, polylactides with chain end modification, and chemically modified poly(butylene succinate) with double bond in the main chain.3. High Performance Polymer
For the alternative of general polymers, new amphiphilic polymers and natural polymers are utilized to control mechanical strength or thermal properties. For example, molecular weight and particle control by N-vinylamide, flexible materials, resin altenative, antifouling surfaces, and surface control by chitin, cellulose, agarose are designed and prepared.4. Novel Functional Polymer
Molecular technology concept contribute to the creation of next- generation functional materials. For example, water-harvesting, surface-covered, highly-stretching, and water-retaining materials by functional hydrogels, thermal storage by nanofilm coating, and novel functional materials by stereocomplex are created.Explanatory Pictures of Research Activities
Recent Research Papers and Achievements
- Naoto Hirano, Hiroaki Yoshida, Tsuyoshi Ando*, Hiroharu Ajiro*, “High-Molecular-Weight Trimethylene Carbonate Derivatives via La[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃ Catalysis: Side-Chain–Directed Thermal and Mechanical Property Control”, Macromolecules, accepted on 10th Feb. 2026.
- Kamolchanok Sarisuta, Blanca Martín-Vaca* Didier Bourissou,* Julien Monot, Nalinthip Chanthaset,* Hiroharu Ajiro*, “Thiol-ene derivatization of polycarbonates deriving from 5-methylene-1,3-dioxane-2-one: an efficient and practical way to tune the surface biocompatibility of polycarbonate films”, Polym. J. <Special issue in April 2026> Accepted on 27th May 2025.
- Shu Morishita, Hiroaki Yoshida*, Nguyen Thu Ha, Tran Thi Thuy, Nguyen Ngoc Mai, Ryohei Ikura, Sei-ichi Kawahara, Hiroharu Ajiro*, “Investigation of Fracture Stress in Deproteinized Natural Rubber with Poly(trimethylene carbonate) Grafted Microcrystalline Cellulose for Improved Dispersibility”, ACS Omega, accepted on 31st Dec. 2025.
- Nalinthip Chanthaset*, Utana Narukawa, Hiroharu Ajiro*, “A Sulfobetaine-Modified Poly(butylene succinate) with Fine-Tuned Mechanical and Lubricating Properties in Melted Film Discs”, ACS Appl. Mater. Interface, accepted on 26th November 2025.
- Naoto Hirano, Yuto Sasagawa, Hiroaki Yoshida*, Hiroharu Ajiro*, “Role of Weak and Transient Interactions in Polymer-Free Electrospinning of β-Cyclodextrin Derivatives” Nanoscale, accepted on 3rd December 2025.
- Tsuyoshi Ando*, Hideharu Kurioka*, Chisato Komura, Hiroharu Ajiro, “A New Coating Strategy: Polymer Assembly-assisted Grafting-to Method”, Surf. Interface 2025, 77, 108038.
- Maho Oura, Amane Kamei, Chantiga Choochottiros, Nalinthip Chanthaset, Hiroharu Ajiro*, “Water flux evaluation by using semipermeable membrane and various poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) hydrogels with semi- interpenetrating polymer network”, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2025, 142, e57873.
- Hiroaki Yoshida*, Takanori Maeno, Ryo Kawatani, Yumi Miyaji, Hiroharu Ajiro*, “Ultra-stretchable Transparent Hydrogels with Low Hydrophobic and Amphiphilic Monomers Using Asymmetric Crosslinker to Give Low Mechanical Hysteresis”, Chem. Eur. J. 2025, 31, e00778.
- Sakiko Yashiro, Hiroaki Yoshida*, Tran Thi Thuy, Nguyen Thu Ha, Nguyen Ngoc Mai, Seiichi Kawahara, Ryohei Ikura, Hiroharu Ajiro*, “N-Vinylamides as Structural Isomers of Protein Grafted onto Deproteinized Natural Rubber and Their Mechanical Strengths”, Macromol. Rapid Commun. 2025, 46, e00344.
- Kengo Hayase, Tsuyoshi Ando*, Daisuke Hasegawa, Hiroharu Ajiro*, “Phase change materials particles by Y-shaped polymer composed of polylactide stereocomplex and poly(stearyl methacrylate)”, Colloid Surf. A. 2025, 719, 137037.
- Mukmin Sapto Pamungkas, Tsuyoshi Ando*, Hiroharu Ajiro*, “Copolymer synthesis of N-vinylacetamide and 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane provides a new degradable polymer”, J. Polym. Sci. 2025, 63, 1306-1318.
- Ayun Erwina Arifianti, Takamasa Matsumoto, Nalinthip Chanthaset,* Hiroharu Ajiro*, “Synthesis and Characterization of Ester-Free Type Poly(trimethylene carbonate) Bearing Long-Alkyl Moieties and Its Degradation”, Polym. J. 2025, 57, 279-290.
- Anchan Khankhuean, Yuka Morimura, Hiroharu Ajiro*, “Improving the Mechanical Properties of Chitosan through Blending with Poly(trimethylene carbonate) copolymer”, Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2024, 283(4), 137830.
- Shuga Katayama, Maho Oura, Clement Matthew Chan, Peter Halley, Shosuke Yoshida, Nalinthip Chanthaset, Hiroharu Ajiro*, “Antioxidation and rheological modification of polylactide by gallic acid at chain end and stereocomplex formation”, Chem. Lett. 2024, 53(11), upae200.