Researcher Information

KOBAYASHI Atsushi

Associate Professor

Metal + Ligand = ∞

Department of Chemistry, Physical Chemistry

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Theme

Development of artificial photosynthetic devices based on metal complex modules
Fabrication of smart sensors to visualize invisible things and phenomena

FieldCoordination Chemistry, Photochemistry, Solid state physics, Surface and interfacial chemistry
KeywordMetal complexes, Nanomaterials, Artificial photoshynthesis, Organic light emitting diodes, Solar cell, Fuel cell, Catalysis, Sensors, Molecular devices

Introduction of Research

Water splitting by solar light, (so called artificial photosynthesis), can obtain clean energy hydrogen without environmental polutants. Metal complexes are promising materials that may realize artificial photosynthesis because their absorption wavelength, oxidation and reduction potentials can be modified widely. Our challenges are to create highly active artificial photosynthetic devices by precisely controlling the molecular arrangement of metal complexes with various functions.
There are many invisible things in our environment. For example, liquid water is visible, but it becomes invisible when it becomes vapor. Certain metal complexes exhibit "chromism" that recognizes specific stimuli (light, temperature, pressure, vapor, etc.) and simultaneously changes the color. In other words, it is possible to "visualize" invisible dangerous vapor or gas as the color change. We are now trying to develop new materials that can be utilized as intelligent sensors by precisely controlling the molecular structure and molecular arrangement of metal complexes.

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Photoredox cascade catalyst for solar hydrogen production and biomass reforming
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Visualization of proton conductivity by emission color of luminescent Pt(II) complex
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Thermal synthesis of strongly emissive Cu(I) coordination polymer

Representative Achievements

Photoredox Cascade Catalyst for Efficient Hydrogen Production with Biomass Photoreforming, A. Kobayashi, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62, e202313014.
Efficient hydrogen production by a photoredox cascade catalyst comprising dual photosensitizers and a transparent electron mediator, N. Yoshimura, M. Yoshida, A. Kobayashi, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 6035-6038.
Enhancement of Photocatalytic Activity for Hydrogen Production by Surface Modification of Pt-TiO2 Nanoparticles with a Double Layer of Photosensitizers, N. Yoshimura, A. Kobayashi, M. Yoshida, M. Kato, Chem. Eur. J. 2020, 26, 16939–16946.
Quantitative Thermal Synthesis of Cu(I) Coordination Polymers That Exhibit Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence, A. Kobayashi, T. Ehara, M. Yoshida, M. Kato, Inorg. Chem. 2020, 59, 9511–9520.
Vapochromic Luminescent Proton Conductors: Switchable Vapochromism and Proton Conduction of Luminescent Pt(II) Complexes with Proton-exchangeable Sites, A. Kobayashi, S. Imada, Y. Shigeta, Y. Nagao, M. Yoshida, M. Kato, J. Mater. Chem. C 2019, 7, 14923–14931.

Related industries

Chemistry, Environment, Energy, Electronics, Catalysis
Academic degreePh. D.
Self Introduction

I am enjoying our challenging research (like artificial photosynthesis) together with laboratory students. Recent my hobby is cooking that may be similar to chemistry.

Academic background2001 BSc, University of Tsukuba
2003 MSc, University of Tsukuba
2006 Ph.D., Kyushu University
2006 Postdoc in Kyushu University
2006 Visiting researcher, The University of Sydney, Australia
2007 Assistant Professor, Hokkaido University
2012 Visiting researcher, University of Rochester, USA
2012-2016 JST PRESTO Researcher
2013 Lecturer, Hokkaido University
2014-present Associate Professor, Hokkaido University
Affiliated academic societyThe Chemical Society of Japan, Japan Society of Coordination Chemistry, The Japanese Photochemistry Association, Japan Society for Molecular Science
ProjectGrant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas "Soft Crystals"
ENEOS Hydrogen Trust Fund
JST PRESTO
Room addressFaculty of Science 5-06