Questions we are trying to answer:
1. How does the ion conduction environment change as we go from bulk membranes to thin films?
2. Can we measure and manipulate the distribution of ionomer properties across ionomer thin films and membranes?
3. Can we improve the conductivity within sub-micron thick films?
4. Can we improve the design of the ionomer-catalyst interface?
Relevant publications (selected):
Journal Articles: (* indicates Corresponding Author)
- Obewhere, O. A.; Acurio-Cerda, K.; Sutradhar, S.; Dike, M.; Keloth, R.; Dishari, S. K.* "Unravel-engineer-design: a three-pronged approach to advance ionomer performance at interfaces in proton exchange membrane fuel cells" Chem. Commun. 2024 (Advanced Article) Link: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2024/cc/d4cc03221g
- Obewhere, O. A.; Dishari, S. K.* "Engineering Ionomer–Substrate Interface to Improve Thin-Film Proton Conductivity in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells." ACS Appl. Polym. Mater. 2024, 6, 4535-4546. Link: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsapm.3c03218
- Cerda, K. A.; Kathol, M.; Purohit, G.; Zamani, E.; Morton, M. D.; Khalimonchuk, O.; Saha, R.; Dishari, S. K.* "Cationic Lignin as an Efficient and Biorenewable Antimicrobial Material." ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2023, 11, 10364-10379. Link: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acssuschemeng.3c01414
- Chatterjee, S.; Obewhere, O. A.; Zamani, E.; Keloth, R.; Farzin, S.; Morton, M.; Sarella, A.; Dishari, S. K.* "Advancing Ionomer Design to Boost Interfacial and Thin-Film Proton Conductivity via Styrene-Calix[4]arene-based Ionomers." Cell Rep. Phys. Sci. 2023, 4, 1-20. Link: https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-physical-science/pdf/S2666-3864(23)00041-3.pdf
- Chatterjee, S.; Zamani, E.; Farzin, S.; Evazzade, I.; Obewhere, O. A.; Johnson, T.; Alexandrov, V.; Dishari, S. K.* "Molecular-level Control over Ionic Conduction and Ionic Current Direction by Designing Macrocycle-based Ionomers." JACS Au 2022, 2, 1144-1159. Link: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacsau.2c00143
- Farzin, S.; Zamani, E.; Dishari, S. K.* "Depth-specific Ion Conduction and Stiffness Across Ionomer Thin Films and Bulk Membranes." ACS Macro Lett. 2021, 10, 791-798. Link: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsmacrolett.1c00110
- Farzin, S.; Johnson, T. J.; Chatterjee, S.; Zamani, E.; Dishari, S. K.* "Ionomers from Kraft Lignin for Renewable Energy Applications." Frontiers in Chemistry 2020, 6, 690 (featured at Frontiers' "Women in Science: Chemistry" collection). Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fchem.2020.00690/full
- Farzin, S.; Sarella, A.; Yandrasits, M. A.; Dishari, S. K.* "Fluorocarbon-based Ionomers with Single and Multi-Acid Side Chains at Nanothin Interfaces." J. Phys. Chem. C 2019, 123, 30871-30884. Link: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jpcc.9b10015
- Dishari, S. K.;* Rumble, C. A.; Maroncelli, M.; Dura, J. A.; Hickner, M. A. "Unraveling the Complex Hydration Behavior under Thin Film Confinement." J. Phys. Chem. C 2018, 122, 3471-3481. Link: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jpcc.7b11888
Funded by:
NSF CAREER Award
NSF-CBET (Electrocheical Systems)
DOE Office of Science Early CAREER Award
Nebraska Center for Energy Science Research Competitive Grant
3M Non-Tenured Faculty Award