Jinyoung Choi

Advisor: Vladimir V. Tsukruk

will defend a doctoral thesis entitled,

Architecting Functional 2D Nanointerfaces with Tailored Surface Reactivity and Grafting Ability

On

Monday, December 1st at 10 a.m.
Love Building 210 Conference room
 Virtually via MS Teams or Zoom 

https://gatech.zoom.us/j/8741811863?pwd=YPf6lF1OVjJbBUm5KI58088DLy8hv1.1

Committee
            Prof. Vladimir V. Tsukruk – School of Materials Science and Engineering (advisor)

            Prof. Zhiqun Lin – Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore (co-advisor)

            Dr. Zhitao Kang – School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Tech Research Institute

            Prof. Scott Danielsen – School of Materials Science and Engineering

            Prof. Shucong Li – School of Materials Science and Engineering

Abstract

Surface modification of nanomaterials represents a critical frontier in materials science with profound implications for sensing technologies, catalysis, and energy applications. The ability to precisely engineer interfaces at the nanoscale enables unprecedented control over material properties and functionalities, particularly for emerging two-dimensional materials. This doctoral research investigates strategies for surface modification of nanostructured materials through controlled surface functionalization, precise polymer grafting, advanced characterization methods, and self-assembly processes. The work addresses fundamental challenges in tailoring interfacial properties at the molecular level while establishing a robust framework for understanding the complex interplay between surface chemistry, polymer architecture, and resulting material performance.

The research proceeded through three strategic phases: First, MXene-block copolymer (MX-BCP) heterostructures were synthesized via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP), overcoming previously reported difficulties in adapting ATRP to MXene surfaces. This was achieved through innovative approaches including optimized reaction conditions and surface pretreatment protocols that enabled grafting of 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide (2-BIBB) initiators for controlled polymerization of block copolymers with tailored molecular weights and narrow polydispersity. Second, the fundamental principles governing block copolymer self-assembly on these modified surfaces were elucidated through complementary analytical techniques and advanced microscopy methods. This comprehensive characterization addressed previously reported challenges in MXene analysis and focused on morphological transformations and the evolution of nano-architectures under different conditions, including morphological evolution of BCP nanostructures following solvent annealing. Finally, these fundamental insights were translated into responsive interfaces for selective interaction with tertiary amines, particularly targeting detection of dimethyltryptamine (DMT) through the integration of self-assembled monolayers combined with selective chemical activation.

This interdisciplinary research advances the fundamental understanding of polymer-nanostructure interfaces while addressing significant challenges in nanomaterial surface engineering. Key innovations include creating reconfigurable nanostructured surfaces with switchable properties and developing high-sensitivity functionalized interfaces capable of reliable detection in complex environmental samples. The findings contribute to the development of next-generation chemical detection platforms with enhanced sensitivity and selectivity, with potential applications in environmental monitoring, chemical diagnostics, and biosensing technologies.