Dr. Christian Pester

Dr. Christian Pester

Associate Professor

Department: Chemical Engineering
College:  Engineering
Address: 314 CBEB
Phone: 814-865-6846
E-mail: pester@psu.edu
Website: sites.psu.edu/pester

Polymer Brush-based Heterogeneous Photocatalysis

Photoredox catalysis provides user-friendly access to synthetic products under mild conditions and visible light irradiation. However, the photocatalysts’ inherent visible light absorption means that catalyst residuals in the products can lead to discoloration and their excited states can promote degradation. This project researches on heterogeneous photocatalysts on micron-scale solid supports. The resulting materials will be used for synthesis of small molecules, light-mediated polymerization, and the degradation of antibiotics for wastewater remediation.

Advanced Functional Surface Engineering

The covalent attachment of polymers has emerged as a powerful strategy for the preparation of multi-functional surfaces. Patterned, surface-grafted polymer brushes provide spatial control over a variety of physical properties and allow for fabrication of ‘intelligent’ substrates which selectively adapt to their environment. This project will address the science behind photolithography to produce functional, topographically-, and chemically-patterned polymer brush surfaces via surface-initiated photopolymerization.