Yongha Kim’s Research on Dissociation in Weak Polyelectrolyte Membranes Published in Macromolecules
Yongha’s paper reports fundamental understanding of the dissociation process in weak polyelectrolyte membranes in both dilute and concentrated external salt solutions.
The study, entitled “Carboxyl Dissociation Degree (α) and pKa of Weak Polyelectrolyte Membranes in Dilute and Concentrated External Salt Solutions for Sustainable Technologies” has been published in Macromolecules.
This study is pivotal in understanding dissociation in weakly charged polymer membranes, which is essential for designing materials with tunable transport properties for sustainable applications. It represents the first systematic film-based investigation of dissociation in these membranes, with independently varied polymer composition and external salt conditions. The research establishes a clear multiscale framework that connects molecular length scales to macroscopic dissociation behavior and pKa shifts. By clarifying how electrostatic interactions, salt screening, and water swelling influence ionization, this work enhances the fundamental understanding of weak polyelectrolytes and provides a rational design strategy for next-generation charged polymer membranes.
This achievement is the result of dedicated teamwork led by Yongha Kim and supported by our talented undergraduate scientists, including Michael Shaqfeh, Riley Kracaw, Steven Marotta, Nikitha Kanumuru, Ania Chandra, Andrew Lukaszewski, Lauren Collins and Charleen Rahman. Thank you all for your hard work!
Warmest congratulations to Yongha and our talented undergraduate scientists! We are so proud of you!
About our work
We design and create high-performance membranes that enable unprecedented separation opportunities. We pursue fundamental breakthroughs that translate into real-world applications, always seeking to bridge the microscopic understanding of materials with macroscopic performance. Our goal is to make separations systems cleaner, stronger, and more sustainable.
About the Oh Lab
At the Oh Lab, we are dedicated to advancing the world’s most important, but challenging, separations in the environment, energy, and health sector. We do this by focusing on the molecular-to-macroscopic design and characterization of polymer membranes. We work at the intersection of chemical engineering, materials science, and molecular transport, focusing on designing advanced polymer membranes for efficient chemical separation.