Physical Chemistry

Physical chemistry is a fundamental research field that deals with structures, properties, and reactions of substances. Atoms, molecules, and ions are all subject to various physical phenomena. "Medicines" exert their effects as a result of various physical phenomena. In order to correctly understand the properties of medicines, students will learn about the physical properties of substances, such as chemical bonds, interactions, thermodynamics, equilibrium, electrochemistry, photochemistry, and reaction rates.

In our laboratory, we are conducting on the research theme "development of new functional materials using photocatalysts and nanomaterials". Photocatalysts are materials that use the energy of light to cause various reactions when exposed to light. They are used in various places in daily life, such as cleaning up pollutants on the exterior walls of buildings, and keeping windows and mirrors clean, and in medical settings in decomposition and removal of hazardous substances, and for sterilization and antibacterial purposes. Furthermore, extremely small materials called "nano", measuring 10−9 m in size, exhibit unusual properties. In our laboratory, we focus on these small materials, create new materials that combine various physical properties such as photocatalysis, luminescence, and adsorption, and evaluate their physical properties.

Specifically, we are working on the following research topics:
① Development of porous coated photocatalysts that adsorb and decompose harmful substances
② Research into photochemical reactions using photocatalysts
③ Development of rare earth nanomaterials with luminescent and photocatalytic properties