Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology
Department of Chemistry, School of Science
Okayama University
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Introduction to the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
In our laboratory, we are conducting research aimed at developing nanospace materials and creating their functions. Nanospace materials are indispensable for separating and purifying target substances from mixed gases or solutions, and as energy storage materials. Not limited to the long-known activated carbon and zeolite, nanospace materials with diverse shapes and chemical compositions are being developed every day. We value a scientific research style, and are always willing to ask " why? " and " how? " about the results obtained in our daily research, striving to evolve through friendly competition with each other.
Member composition for 2025
2 undergraduate students
3 1st year in master course students
1 2nd year in master course student
01
Development of Boron Nitride (BN) Microporous Body
The total number of electrons contained in boron (B) and nitrogen (N) is equal to the total number of electrons in two carbons (C) (isoelectronic relationship). Therefore, while BN and elemental carbon have many similarities in terms of density and structure, many of their physicochemical properties are significantly different. We developed a porous material based on BN and found that it has gas adsorption properties different from those of carbon-based materials such as activated carbon. Since BN is originally a material used as a ceramic, it has excellent heat resistance and oxidation resistance, and therefore has the potential to be used as a new adsorbent or catalyst support.
02
Anomalous ion adsorption phenomena induced by carbon pores
In an aqueous solution in which an electrolyte is dissolved in water, the electric charges in the solution are cancelled out overall. For example, when salt (NaCl) is dissolved in water, the number of sodium ions and the number of chloride ions in the solution become equal. When carbon porous bodies are dispersed in an aqueous solution containing dissolved electrolytes and ions are adsorbed, the number of cations and anions in the pores is not equal, and the phenomenon has been discovered in which the number of anions exceeds that of the positive ions. It is becoming clear that hydrogen ions (protons) derived from water are closely related to this unbalanced ion adsorption phenomenon, but the process by which the protons in the pores are generated remains a mystery.
03
A new project initiated by students?
Many of the research results that have been discovered in the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory so far have been based on new phenomena that students have discovered in the course of their daily research. We have been taught that the interesting thing is research results that go beyond the imagination of faculty members. Of course, at the graduation research stage, students often proceed with research in consultation with faculty members, but we encourage graduate students to incorporate their own ideas and take into consideration small questions from faculty members as they challenge themselves to break new ground.