Evenäs' research group

Research focuses on surface and colloid chemistry, with particular emphasis on molecular and supramolecular structure, self-assembly, interactions and dynamics in soft and biomass-based materials.

Surface and colloid chemistry

Research concerns the physical chemistry of surfaces, colloidal systems, polymers and soft matter. A central theme is the relation between molecular-scale properties and the behaviour of heterogeneous and multiphase materials.

NMR spectroscopy and molecular characterisation

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a central methodology. Solution and diffusion NMR are used to investigate molecular association, connectivity, transport and dynamics, while solid-state NMR provides information on molecular structure and organisation in heterogeneous materials across different length scales. Dynamic nuclear polarisation (DNP) enhanced solid-state NMR is developed and applied to obtain chemical and spatial information in complex materials where conventional NMR spectroscopy is limited by sensitivity. Contact-free methods based on acoustic levitation are developed for NMR spectroscopy and complementary characterisation of droplets and liquid interfaces without interaction with a supporting surface.

Biomass-based materials

Cellulose and other biomass-derived polymers constitute an important class of materials. Research addresses how chemical modification, molecular organisation, interfaces and morphology affect material properties. Current work has a particular emphasis on heterogeneous chemical modification of cellulose, molecular organisation in fibres and composites, and the development of DNP-NMR methods for determining chemical structure and spatial distributions in complex lignocellulosic materials.

Encapsulation and controlled release

A long-standing research area concerns polymeric microcapsules for controlled or triggered release. Research includes particle formation and morphology, encapsulation of active compounds, molecular transport through capsule shells and coatings, and the physical mechanisms controlling release. The purpose is to establish quantitative relationships between molecular interactions, particle structure, transport and release.