Kunkun Tu - Wood-MOF composites

The development of novel functional materials based on sustainable and renewable resources represents one of the main current challenges in materials science. Especially wood, as one of the most abundant renewable resources, has attracted increasing attention for the development of advanced materials. Kunkun Tu’s work focuses on developing a new type of hybrid material based on the in situ formation of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) within the wood scaffold. The hereby-obtained hybrid materials combine the intrinsic properties of wood (excellent mechanical properties of a lightweight structure) with the unique characteristics of MOFs including ultra-high surface area and porosity. This results in a new type of composite material with high potential in new applications for wood in both energy and environmental fields. In addition to the functionalization, she also conducts a detailed analysis of the wood's inherent modification pathways.