Polymer Chemistry Laboratory

Polymer Chemistry Laboratory

The Polymer Chemistry Laboratory, under the direction of Dr. Hossein Roghani-Mamaqani at the Faculty of Polymer Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, focuses on polymer chemistry, the design and synthesis of advanced polymeric materials, and the development of smart polymers. The laboratory's research activities cover areas including polymer chemistry, controlled polymerization, polymer colloids, hydrogels, optical sensors, and smart and anticounterfeiting polymeric materials.

Laboratory Director

Dr. Hossein Roghani-Mamaqani, a professor of polymer engineering at Sahand University of Technology, conducts research in the fields of polymer chemistry and polymer engineering. His major research interests include polymer chemistry, smart polymers, controlled radical polymerization, surface modification reactions, polymer colloids, hydrogels, optical sensors, and anticounterfeiting inks.

His research activities have resulted in more than 300 scientific publications and research works in international scientific journals and resources.

Research Areas

- Polymer Chemistry
- Smart and Stimuli-Responsive Polymers
- Controlled Radical Polymerization
- Surface Modification Reactions
- Polymer Colloids
- Hydrogels
- Optical Sensors
- Anticounterfeiting Materials and Inks

Smart and Stimuli-Responsive Polymers

One of the main research directions of the laboratory is the design and synthesis of smart and stimuli-responsive polymers. These materials are designed to undergo controlled changes in their properties in response to stimuli such as temperature, pH, light, and chemical conditions.
This characteristic enables the application of smart polymers in areas such as sensors, detection systems, security materials, smart coatings, and advanced technologies.

Controlled Radical Polymerization and Advanced Polymer Design

An important research area of the laboratory is the use of controlled radical polymerization techniques for the design and synthesis of polymers with controlled structures, architectures, and properties.
Control over the polymerization process enables the development of well-defined polymers, polymer colloids, surface-modified polymers, and stimuli-responsive polymers, and plays an important role in understanding the relationship between polymer structure and properties.

Surface Modification and Functional Polymeric Materials

Surface modification of polymers and nanomaterials is another research area of the laboratory. In this field, chemical and polymerization-based approaches are used to modify the surface properties of materials and introduce desired functionalities.
These approaches contribute to the development of functional polymeric materials, modified surfaces, polymeric nanocomposites, and smart systems.

Polymer Colloids and Polymeric Nanoparticles

The study and design of polymer colloids and polymeric nanoparticles constitute another research direction of the laboratory. This research focuses on the synthesis of polymeric particles with controlled size, structure, and properties.
Such systems can be employed in the development of smart materials, optical sensors, anticounterfeiting inks, and advanced polymeric systems.

Hydrogels and Stimuli-Responsive Systems

The design and investigation of hydrogels and stimuli-responsive polymeric systems represent another important research area. These materials can undergo controlled changes in their structure and properties in response to stimuli such as pH, temperature, or chemical conditions.
Such properties can be utilized in the development of controlled-release systems, smart materials, and biomedical applications.

Optical Sensors

The development of polymeric materials with optical and fluorescent properties and their application in the design of optical and chemical sensors is another area of research.
These materials can generate detectable responses to environmental changes, such as color changes or variations in fluorescence intensity, and can therefore be used for the detection of specific stimuli and chemical species.

Polymeric Materials and Inks for Anticounterfeiting

One of the prominent research areas of the laboratory is the development of smart polymeric materials and inks for anticounterfeiting and authentication applications.
These studies utilize properties such as photochromism, fluorescence, color-changing behavior, and stimuli-responsive characteristics to create security features.
Such materials can be applied in areas including the authentication of documents, products, packaging, and valuable items, as well as advanced security and authentication technologies.

Research Publications and Achievements

The laboratory's research activities have resulted in numerous scientific publications, research projects, and interdisciplinary studies published in international journals.
Between 2021 and 2026, research associated with the laboratory has addressed topics including stimuli-responsive polymers, polymer colloids and nanoparticles, chemical and optical sensors, drug delivery systems, anticounterfeiting inks, and multi-responsive polymeric systems.
Selected research themes during this period include:

- Stimuli-responsive polymers for water treatment
- pH- and temperature-responsive polymeric nanoparticles for smart drug delivery
- Dynamic chemical sensors and anticounterfeiting inks based on polymer colloids
- Anticounterfeiting inks based on polymeric nanoparticles containing photochromic and fluorescent compounds
- Multi-responsive polymeric nanoparticles for anticounterfeiting and smart packaging applications
- Thermochromic and fluorescent polymeric nanocapsules for security and anticounterfeiting applications
- Polymeric Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) for authentication and enhanced security against counterfeiting

Laboratory Equipment and Facilities

The Polymer Chemistry Laboratory is equipped with a range of specialized laboratory instruments that support various stages of polymer synthesis, sample preparation, and processing of polymeric and nanostructured materials.
 

UV Testing Device

Used for ultraviolet irradiation-related processes and optical studies of polymeric materials and systems.

Centrifuge
Used for separating sample components based on differences in density and for preparing polymeric samples, nanoparticles, and colloidal systems.

Ultrasonic Bath
Used for the dispersion, homogenization, and preparation of samples and nanomaterials.

Ultrasonic Probe
Used to apply higher-intensity ultrasonic waves for more precise dispersion, homogenization, and preparation of polymeric and nanostructured samples.

Furnace
Used for thermal processes and heat treatments required for the synthesis and preparation of selected materials.

Laboratory Oven
Used for drying, heating, and preparation of samples under controlled temperature conditions.

Vacuum Oven
Used for drying and thermal treatment of samples under vacuum conditions, particularly for materials requiring controlled removal of moisture or solvents.

Together, these facilities provide the infrastructure required for fundamental and applied research in polymer chemistry, smart polymers, controlled polymerization, polymer colloids, hydrogels, optical sensors, and anticounterfeiting materials.

Laboratory Vision

The Polymer Chemistry Laboratory, with its focus on polymer chemistry, controlled polymerization, advanced polymeric materials, and smart polymer development, aims to expand fundamental and applied research in the field of advanced materials.
The laboratory seeks to develop innovative polymeric materials with controlled structures and functionalities and to provide a foundation for their applications in areas such as sensors, security and anticounterfeiting technologies, smart materials, environ