With completely tunable structures, coordination polymers have been one of the major research interests of chemists in the past decade. Via proper crystal engineering approach, various functionalities could be achieved for coordination polymer materials, leading to wide potential applications. Differ from the classic viewpoints which focus on the application of separation and catalysis, our research pursues the intriguing electronic and magnetic properties, as well as the unusual strongly correlated phenomena in coordination polymers and intend to build a bridge between the structural coordination chemistry and solid-state physics.

1, solid-state electrochemistry of coordination polymers.

By proper structural design, multiple redox active centers could be installed on a single coordination polymer and hence opened the opportunity of these materials being cathode materials of alkali-metal batteries with high gravimetric capacity and outstanding lifespan. A series of in situ spectroscopic methods, such as PXRD and XAFS, unearthed the unconventional electrochemical mechanism of the coordination polymers, including the long-overlooked reduction of metal cluster building blocks and the co-intercalation of both cations and anions from the electrolyte into the skeleton of coordination polymers.

2, electrochemical modulation to the electronic and magnetic states of materials.

It is well-established by us that the chemical valence of coordination polymers can be readily modified via the solid-state electrochemistry approach. As a result, it is rational to expect the modulation of electronic states, as well as the magnetic states and properties of materials while treated with solid-state electrochemical doping. Through variable in situ and ex situ magnetometric techniques, hidden magnetic phases as well as the conversion of electronic structures could be achieved for the target materials.

3, exotic quantum magnetic phenomena from strongly correlated coordination materials.

The quantum magnetic behaviors such as spin liquids, nematic phases and quasi-particle excitations are particularly of interest to the solid-state physicists, yet the number of target materials are rather limited as most of such phenomena arises from unique structural topologies of materials. Meanwhile, in the field of coordination chemistry, the well-established crystal engineering approach allows us to easily manipulate the structure of materials, yet the importance of such structural topology has never been emphasized. This research topic targets the borderline of coordination chemistry and solid-state physics by exploring the quantum magnetic properties in strongly correlated magnetic coordination polymers, and will demonstrate the potential of coordination polymers which may faithfully convert the structural topology to unique topological magnetism.