งานวิจัย

The industrial chemistry division program aims to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, abilities,attitudes and experience required for careers in the chemical and petroleum industries as well as in the academic sectors.  It includes a strong focus on chemistry, economics, engineering perspectives, environmental impact and the application of chemical principles for the development of products and processes. Students are encouraged to have collaboration with industry during their studies

Research Areas

1. Bioenergy
   The bioenergy research group is a part of the Center of Excellence-Oil Palm Kasetsart University. This group conducts research on both biodiesel and bioethanol. For biodiesel, the group uses palm oil and jatropha curcus oil as raw materials by using a response surface method in optimization the chemical reaction to produce biodiesel and quality control by advance instruments. For bioethanol, the group studies the production of bioethanol from lignocellulose materials which are an agricultural waste. 
   
   This research group uses steam explosion techniques to digest lignocellulose materials to cellulose. Subsequently, biochemical processes are used to convert cellulose to glucose and ethanol,respectively.
2. Alternative Energy
   Nowadays, alternative energy has attracted significant attentions from academia and industry. By drawing on knowledge from colloidal synthesis, microfluidics, optical trapping, fuel cell technology, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS), the research group focuses on two areas of microfuel cells and synthetic fuels.  For microfuel cells, the studies include the fabrication of microchannel and microfuel cells, and its development for the high performance in term of current density. For synthetic fuels, the studies involve the catalyst development and its catalytic ability in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in order to have high quality liquid hydrocarbon products, gasoline and diesel. 
3. Biodegradable Polymer
   Over the last decade, development of biodegradable polymers as an alternative to conventional polymers, so as to minimize solid waste, is becoming increasingly important. Thailand is one of the world’s largest exporters of many agricultural products such as tapioca starch derived from cassava and sugar.
   
   Rising oil prices have pushed Thailand, like other countries, to look seriously at agricultural crops for renewable resources. Hence, research and development in biodegradable polymer synthesis has under been investigated extensively for Thailand to be benefit as a whole. 
4. Natural Rubber and Rubber Blends
   Research in this field aims to improve our knowledge of natural rubber (NR), which will lead to innovation in its production, properties, commercial grades and quality of rubber products obtained from NR. Ongoing research programs include: compounding, processing, structures and properties of vulcanized rubbers in order to seek knowledge of the factors including the ability to find the right chemicals to add to the rubber (rubber compounding), how well the rubbers and the chemicals are mixed and the conditions (temperature and time) which the rubber compounds are vulcanized so that the necessary technologies could be developed and  disseminated to the Thai rubber industry.  The other ongoing research program is in the area of rubber blends and composites to develop integral knowledge of the factors that determine the properties of rubber blends or rubber composite systems of interests and employ them to develop new rubber products or to improve the quality of existing products.
5. Textile and Dye Chemistry
   Textile products are ever-present in our daily lives.  They are produced from different kinds of fibers, colored by different types of dyes, and finished by various chemicals and processes. Our program has research projects that are relevant to this field. Our approaches are to design and synthesize new non-toxic and high performance dyes such as reactive dyes for cellulosic fiber and disperse dyes for polylactic acid fiber. Another part of our research activities includes solving existing industrial problems, for example, the poor washfastness of polyester/elastane blends and thermal migration of disperse dyes on polyester fabric.
6. Materials and Gemology
   A synthesis of a novel compound is investigated.  Our goal is to understand its nature of crystal structure in three-dimensional environment. By understanding these principal properties, further industrial applications may be achieved.  Other research interests are synthesis of new materials, e.g. mesoporous materials, surface characterization of materials, e.g. using X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) and heat treatment of gemstones and relevant jewellery materials.   

Funding

Financial support is provided for eligible graduate students from various sources such as teaching assistantship, research assistantship, funding from Thailand Graduate Institute of Science and Technology (TGIST), Thailand Research Fund (TRF), Office of the Higher Education Commission, and Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute (KURDI).

Collaboration

The division has collaborative research nationally and internationally with institutes and universities such as University of Karlsruhe (Germany), Colorado School of Mines (USA), University of Vienna (Austria), La trobe University (Australia), National Metal and Materials technology Center (MTEC), National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), and Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR).

Contact : 

Cholticha Noomhorm, Associate Professor

of Industrial Chemistry

Office  Phone : 00-662-562-5555 ext. 2137

Fax : 662-562-5555 ext. 2119, 2157, 2207

Email  : fscictn@ku.ac.th

Inorganic chemistry is the study of the synthesis and behavior of inorganic and organometallic compounds. Active research is found in the interfaces to physics and materials science, to organic chemistry and catalysis, as well as to biochemistry and biomedical applications. The Inorganic Chemistry division at Kasetsart University is a vibrant and dynamic group of faculty members and students who undertake research in a wide range of areas in the discipline. Research and education in a broad spectrum is pursued; ranging from the coordination of metal ions to organometallic compounds, inorganic polymers and bio-inorganic model systems. The activities comprise both the development of synthetic methods, characterisation of physical, spectroscopic and structural properties in the solid state and in solution. A large number of experimental techniques and theoretical methods are employed in order to elucidate the properties of the compounds investigated. The research projects are investigated both fundamental and applied with industry.

Research Areas

There are six main research areas in inorganic chemistry division:

1. Coordination Chemistry 
   Classical coordination compounds feature metals bound to “lone pairs” of electrons residing on organic and inorganic compounds. The “metal” usually is a metal from the groups 3-13, as well as the trans-lanthanides and trans-actinides, but from a certain perspective, all chemical compounds can be described as coordination complexes. At Kasetsart University, complex formation between precious metals such as Ru, Au, Pt, Rh and Pd with thiazolyazo compounds or some biomolecules such as DNA or DNA bases are under investigation using both experimental techniques and theoretical calculations. This is to understand the natureof the bonding and properties of the synthesized complexes which will lead to the use of the complexes in various aspects.
2. Sensor  
   We can divide sensors into three types, namely (a) physical sensors for measuring distance, mass, temperature, pressure, etc. (b) chemical sensors which measure chemical substances by chemical or physical responses, and (c) biosensors which measure chemical substances by using a biological sensing element. Examples of our research work at Kasetsart University are: (i) metal oxides especially perovskite structures as gas and humidity sensors, such as “Ethanol sensing of Cobalt(II)doped LaFeO3 prepared by metal-organic complex decomposition, (ii) synthesis of doped ZnS nanoparticles as photoluminescensesensors, (iii) supramolecular chemistry on imidazolium derivatives and related compounds: synthesis, characterization and their applications used as ion and molecular sensor for metal ions, anions and amino acids detection by spectrophotometry and cyclic voltammetry, (iv) colorimetric and fluorescent sensing of anions based on tetraphenylporphyrin complexes system. 
3. Photocatalysis 
   A photocatalytic reaction is the reaction induced by the photoabsorption of materials which undergo no net chemical changes. Thus the electron flows from the reductant to oxidant through photoexcited material particles. Therefore, the particles suspended in a solution of reductant and oxidant can be regarded as a very small electrochemical cell in which the irradiated light energy is used as free energy change and/or activation energy of the redox reaction of the reductant and oxidant. At Kasetsart university, we heavily work on the photocatalytic decompositions of toxic materials and pollutants based on doped-TiO2, doped-ZnO and doped-lathanides oxide nanocatalysts. This includes synthesis, characterization and photodegradation of PAHs, dyes, toxic organic compounds, etc.
4. The use of industrial minerals 
   At Kasetsart University, we investigate the preparation of intercalation compounds in the interlayer of bentonite, and study the luminescence of the compounds so as to prepare electrochemical devices such as sensors for chemicals. Organic-clay nano-composites, for electrochemical devices and solid electrolyte are also be studied which some compounds also show luminescence properties. Preparation of solid electrolyte from perlite and diatomite as well as mixing them with bentonite for elctrochemical usage are alsounder investigation.
5. Renewable Energy
   Due to the rising cost of petroleum and environmental concerns, there is increasing research activity in renewable energy souces, which aim to generate energy from naturally abundantresources such as sunlight.  Our research interests are in solar cell based on dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 film electrode in conjunction with solid electrolytes such as inorganic p-type semiconductor, composite solid/quasi-solid polymer electrolytes, naturalmaterials. Low cost alternatives such as natural dyes as sensitizers and non-platinum counter electrodes are also studied.
   
   Clean fuel is expected to lead to an important shift away from crude oil to natural gas. This involves the use of Fischer-Tropsch(FT) synthesis, in which high molecular weight hydrocarbons (e.g. gasoline and diesel) are synthesized by catalytic hydrogenation of CO using cobalt-based catalysts. Our Fischer-Tropsch research emphasizes on time dependence of activity, selectivity and catalyst structure. Cobalt based catalysts with different promoters and supports are studied. 
6. Nanomaterials 
   Nanomaterials can be defined as materials which have structured components with at least one dimension less than 100 nm. Materials that have one dimension in the nanoscale include layers such as a thin film or surface coatings. Some of the components on computer chips come in this category. Materials that are nanoscale in two dimensions include nanowires and nanotubes. Materials that are nanoscale in three dimensions are particles, for example precipitates, colloids and quantum dots (tiny particles of semiconductor materials). Nanocrystalline materials, made up of nanometre-sized grains, also fall into this category. Examples of some works at Kasetsart university are: (i) incorporation of silicon nanoparticles, obtained by electrochemical etching of silicon substrate and then milling, into oxide matrices by using sol-gel method. Then, exploitation of the nanoparticles properties after incorporation and find out a robust and reliable host media for silicon nanoparticles in order to use these nanoparticles for different applications in nanotechnology (nano-devices, optoelectronics, biophotonics, etc.), (ii) synthesis and characterization of photoluminescense materials such as doped-Zinc sulfides nanoparticle.

Funding

Financial aid for our prospective graduate students come in different forms, for example, teaching assistantship, scholarship from the Center for Innovative in Chemistry (PERCH-CIC), Synchrotron Light Research Institute and Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute (KURDI). Please contact our division for more information.

Collaboration

Our faculty members are working in close collaboration with international institutes such as University of Bristol (UK), University of Strathclyde (UK), University of Karlsruhe (Germany). We also collaborate with other national institutes, for example, Synchrotron Light Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Thammasart University.

Contact :

Apisit Songsasen, Associate Professor of Inorganic Chemistry

Office Phone : 00-662-562-5555 ext. 2212

Fax : 662-579-3955

Email : fsciass@ku.ac.th

While chemistry is traditionally classified as a physical science, organic chemistry stands at a unique crossroads with biology. A fundamental understanding of chemical bonding and reactivity equips organic chemists to tackle some of the most intricate biological challenges. At the core of all living organisms lies carbon, an element remarkable for its versatility in forming diverse and complex molecular frameworks. Yet, organic chemistry extends well beyond hydrocarbons, incorporating elements such as nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, halogens, and even transition metals into its expansive toolkit. This boundless potential makes organic chemistry a field limited only by imagination.

From the isolation of natural products to the design of innovative synthetic methodologies, organic chemistry drives progress across a wide range of disciplines, including molecular biology, biomaterials, and, most critically, drug discovery and development. As our biosphere continues to evolve, so too does the emergence of new diseases. The demand for novel therapeutics is ever-growing, but with the relentless advancement of organic chemistry, we remain equipped to meet these challenges head-on.

Research Areas

There are five main research areas in the organic chemistry division:

1. Natural Product Chemistry 

Secondary metabolites from terrestrial plants, animals, and microorganisms have been utilized as drugs since the early days of human civilization. Mother Nature creates complex drug molecules. Our division is actively involved in the isolation of natural products. Species being investigated include Curcuma longa Linn, Andographis paniculata, Tinospora crispa, Paederia tomentosa foetida Linn, Clausena excavata, Aquilaria crassna, Morinda excavata Craib. Many isolated compounds have shown promising biological activities. For example, curcuminoids from Curcuma longa Linn exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidation, and anticancer activities. Research in our natural product laboratories also involves the chemical structure modification of isolated natural products as a means to enhance their biological activities.

We are also interested in the discovery of novel natural products produced by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, as well as in understanding their biosynthetic pathways. With the advent of rapid genome sequencing and synthetic biology tools, identifying and engineering natural product biosynthetic gene clusters from microorganisms has become increasingly feasible. Genomic data can be used to predict metabolite structures, which can then be accessed by optimizing growth conditions or through heterologous expression in bacterial or fungal hosts such as Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus oryzae. Synthetic biology further enables the refactoring and redesign of these pathways to produce novel or improved bioactive compounds.

2. Organic Synthesis and Synthetic Methodology Development

Synthetic organic chemistry is a vital tool for scientists across various research fields. Several target molecules are being synthesized in our laboratories, including steroidal hormones, OSW-1, geodisterol, naphthoquinones, naphthols, and Tamiflu, which exhibit anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimalarial, anti-HIV-1, and anti-H5N1 (Avian Influenza: AI) activities, as well as efavirenz and its derivatives.The synthetic methodologies being developed in our laboratories include carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond formation utilizing phosphorus reagents, stereoselective glycosylation using phosphorus donors. The development of synthetic methodologies for N-formyl-nornuciferine, a compound with hypotensive and cardiotonic activities, is also one of our ongoing research projects.

We are also interested in development of green synthetic methodologies by employing cost-effective metal catalysts such as nickel and copper, as well as organocatalysts like phosphinic acid (H₃PO₂). These catalysts facilitate C–O bond cleavage in epoxides and sugar-based alcohols, affording valuable compounds such as Z-alkenes, β-amino ketones, and N-heterocycles. This strategy enables the sustainable synthesis of bioactive molecules for applications in medicinal  chemistry etc.

3. Chemical Biology and Bioorganic Chemistry

The interface of chemistry and biology is one of the most active research areas of the 21^st century. Investigation of various biological systems utilizing organic chemistry as a tool is at the heart of bioorganic chemistry, also known as chemical biology. Our research topics in this area include inhibition of Asp-tRNA^Asn/Glu-tRNA^Gln amidotransferase (GatCAB), an enzyme vital to several human pathogenic bacteria. In addition, we also explore the mechanisms by which enzymes orchestrate natural product biosynthesis, shedding light on the intricate chemistry behind these biological processes..

4. Theoretical Organic Chemistry

With the continuous development of computers and calculation algorithms, it is now possible to utilize computational chemistry as a tool to study various organic reactions. Our theoretical organic chemistry research topics include the theoretical study of organocatalysis in the Mannich reaction and Ab initio calculations of chiral recognition of -butyrolactone by cyclodextrins.

5. Photochemistry and Cosmetic Chemistry

Photochemical processes play a crucial role in various organic synthetic reactions and biochemical transformations. Our research activities include the investigation of photoisomerization processes and the synthesis of photoactive compounds, such as cinnamate derivatives and other UV absorbers. Cosmetic chemistry, particularly sunscreen chemistry, is one of the few examples of our research projects in this area.

Funding

Financial aid for our prospective graduate students comes in different forms, for example, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, scholarships from the Center for Innovation in Chemistry (PERCH-CIC), and the Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. Program. Program (RGJ). Please contact our division for more information.

Collaborations

Our faculty members collaborate closely with internationally renowned institutions, including the University of California, San Francisco (USA), the University of Vienna (Austria), the University of Bristol (United Kingdom), Wayne State University (USA) and Stockholm University Sweden. We also collaborate with other national institutes, such as Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, Prince Songkla University, the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, and Silpakorn University.

Equipment

400 MHz and 500 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrometer for structural analysis of organic and organometallic compounds, natural products and proteines

Contact :

Associate Professor Pakorn Wattana-Amorn, Ph.D.

Office Phone: 00-662-562-555 ext 647544

Email:  fscipwa@ku.ac.th

In recent years, numerous innovative developments have occurred in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, which have led to rapid advancements in the discovery, development, adaptation and modification of materials that are of immense economic and technical benefit to industry. Our scientific contributions involve theory and application of the fundamental knowledge in quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, thermodynamics and the kinetics to understand the structure and reactivity of chemical systems. 

To study the molecular detail of a system, theoretical and computational studies can offer practical tools that often provide insight to the reaction mechanism complementing experimental investigations and, in certain cases, offering an understanding thatis not possible by experimental investigations. The rapidly advancing knowledge of explorative computational methods and the applications of analytical as well as diagnostic tools have made an increasingly significant impact on chemical, pharmaceutical, materials and related industries worldwide. These methods provide valuable tools for obtaining the important properties of systems of interest to theses industries.

Research Areas

Physical and Theoretical, and computational Chemical research covers a broad area and involves various branches, such as chemical engineering, polymer, organic chemistry, and pharmaceutical chemistry. Physical chemistry plays a crucial role in elucidating chemical phenomena and their mechanisms, including expounding the quantum properties of matters at the molecular level. Profound understanding of the basis of the chemical and physical properties of materials serves to further encourage the expansion of applied research. The division of physical chemistry continues to conduct and further enhance its international reputation in five innovative research areas:

1. Development and Application of Theoretical and Computational Methodologies
   The relatively simple but widely used quantum cluster calculations often predict structures, properties and activities of nanostructured materials differently from experiment. This is mainly due to the truncation to a small unrealistic fragment cluster chosen to model structural and chemical environments. Hybrid methods, such as embedded cluster or combined quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) methods have been developed and implemented to take into account the key interactions between a substrate and the infinite framework of materials at a computational economical cost and bring large systems within reach of current computer capabilities.
2. Catalysts and Supports
   Zeolites are molecular shape-selective solid catalysts widely used in various fields, including organic synthesis, environmental science and the petrochemical industry. A fundamental understanding on diffusion, adsorption and reaction mechanisms of molecules within zeolites gives us a way to more rational design of new, improved catalysts. Atomistic molecular dynamics (MD), quantum mechanics (QM) and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) methods are the powerful tools we use for exploring their size- and shape-selective phenomena.
3. Carbon Nanostructures
   Chemical sensing based on molecular recognition is considered as one of the most promising concepts for single-molecule detection, even though it still remains in an early developmental stage. We aim to synthesize and investigate the chemical and electronic properties of carbon nanotubes after being modified by integrated techniques such as functionalization, metal decoration and biomolecular integration.
4. Molecular Design of Bioactive Compounds
   A variety of structure-based and ligand-based drug design techniques, e.g., molecular docking, virtual screening and 3D-QSAR methods, are successfully applied to discover new potent inhibitors for a wide range of diseases (AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, cancer and Alzheimer). These techniques enable us to explore the relationship between chemical structures and biological activites. To reveal mechanisms and interactions between targets and inhibitors, the sophisticated techniques such as molecular dynamics simulation (MD), quantum mechanics (QM) and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) methods are also considered.
5. Ligand-Oriented Catalyst Design
   Polymers are an important class of materials used in daily life. The synthesis of polymers with novel properties has become a very interesting research area. This can be achieved by the use of single-site catalysts obtained by the ligand-oriented catalyst design method. Hence, our main research interests are directed towards the design of new single-site catalyst systems for the controlled polymerization of various classes of polymers such as polyolefin and polylactide. 

Collaboration

Our research activities have resulted in our papers being included in numerous international publications and presentations at national and international conferences, and have also led to research cooperation with the following renowned research organizations:

• Theoretical Inorganic Chemistry Group, Uppsala University, SWEDEN
• Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie Moleéculaire, Universiteé Bordeaux1, FRANCE
• Laboratoire d’Analyse Chimique par Reconnaissance Moleculaire, Ecole Nationale Supeérieure de Chimie et de Physique de Bordeaux, Universiteé Bordeaux 1, FRANCE
• Institute of Ion and Applied Physics, University of Innsbruck, AUSTRIA.
• Institute for Theoretical Chemistry and Structural Biology, University of Vienna, AUSTRIA. 

Funding

All research projects have been implemented under the support

of several national funding organizations and manufacturers

including:

• The Thailand Research Fund
• Senior TRF Research Scholar
• The Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. program
• The Postdoctoral Fellows
• The National Science and Technology Development Agency 
• NANOTEC Center of Excellence, National Nanotechnology Center
• NSTDA Chair Professor

• The Center of Nanotechnology, Kasetsart University Research Development Institute  
• National Research Council of Thailand
• Siam Cement Group
• PTT Public Company Limited

Students have access to work at industrial and educational resources, and opportunities to become both basic and applied researchers.

Contact :

Jumras Limtrakul, Professor of Physical Chemistry

Office Phone : 00-662-562-5555 ext. 2169, 2159

Fax : 662-562-5555 ext. 2119, 2157, 2207

Email : fscijrl@ku.ac.th