The McGrier group’s research focuses on developing innovative synthetic techniques to create functional porous and polymeric materials with potential applications in environmental safety, device technologies, and clean energy. The group’s work primarily involves organic synthesis, with an emphasis on using techniques like porosity measurements, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis to explore the physical and chemical properties of these materials. To investigate their photophysical and electronic properties, the group employs electroimpedance spectroscopy, photocurrent response, cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy. These projects also promote strong interdisciplinary collaboration as the team works on developing materials for CO2 absorption and conversion, sulfur removal from fuel, battery electrode materials, and other applications.
Research Interests:
Covalent Organic Frameworks and Porous Organic Polymers for:
- Carbon dioxide capture and conversion
- Desulfurization of petroleum feedstocks
- Li- and K-ion batteries
- Photocatalytic Reactions
- Chemical sensing and binding
Research Projects:
Porphyrin-based Porous Organic Polymers for CO2 Capture and Reduction
Publications:
The Hydrosilylative Reduction of CO2 to Formate and Methanol Using a Cobalt Porphyrin-Based Porous Organic Polymer. Hlatshwayo, Z. T.; Doremus, J. G.; McGrier, P. L.* ChemCatChem 2022, e202200783.
A Ruthenium Porphyrin-Based Porous Organic Polymer for the Hydrosilylative Reduction of CO2 to Formate. Eder, G. M.; Pyles, D. A.; Wolfson, E. R.; McGrier, P. L.* Chem. Commun. 2019, 55 (50), 7195-7198.
Dehydrobenzoannulenes (DBAs) as Vertices for Porous Organic Materials for C-S Bond Activation and Desulfurization
Publications:
A Nickel-Doped Dehydrobenzoannulene-Based Porous Organic Polymer for the Catalytic Desulfurization of Dibenzothiophenes and Benzothiophenes. Doremus, J. G.; Lotsi, B.; Walker, C. A.; Milligan, A. N.; McGrier, P. L.*. Energy Fuels 2024, 38(12), 11356-11360.
A Nickel-Doped Dehydrobenzoannulene-Based Two-Dimensional Covalent Organic Framework for the Reductive Cleavage of Inert Aryl C-S Bonds. Haug, W. K.; Wolfson, E. R.; Morman, B. T.; Thomas, C. M.; McGrier, P. L.* J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 142 (12), 5521-5525.
Alkynyl-based Covalent Organic Frameworks for Anode Materials in Li and K-Ion Batteries
Publications:
Alkynyl-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks as High-Performance Anode Materials for Potassium-Ion Batteries. Wolfson, E. R.†; Schkeryantz, L.†; Moscarello, E. M.; Fernandez, J. P.; Paszek, J.; Wu, Y.; Hadad, C. M.; McGrier, P. L.* ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2021, 13 (35), 41628-41636.
A Dehydrobenzoannulene-Based Two-Dimensional Covalent Organic Framework as an Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries. Wolfson, E. R.; Xiao, N.; Schkeryantz, L.; Haug, W. K.; Wu, Y.; McGrier, P. L.* Mol. Syst. Des. Eng. 2020, 5, 97-101.