Research Overview

The goal of our research is to understand design principles of nanoporous media for highly selective and efficient chemical sensing. We strive to establish novel methods for self-organized fabrication of nanostructured materials of controlled morphologies and chemical properties, and to understand the separation/sensing mechanisms within such nanostructured materials at the molecular level. Fundamental knowledge gained in our research will permit us to develop nanoporous materials for highly-efficient detection, removal, and recovery of chemical species relevant to environmental and energy sciences. These materials will facilitate the sustainable development of our society through improvement of water quality, energy utilization, and critical material recycling.

Selected publications (Full publication list)

• A. Nathani, S. Asadi, D. A. Higgins, T. Ito “Single-Molecule Tracking Measurements Reveal the Detailed Mechanisms of Molecular Diffusion in Solvent Mixtures Under Nanoconfinement”, Anal. Chem. 2026, 98, 9803–9811.
• T. Ito, E. A. Skinner “Electrochemistry-Induced Deposition for Controlled Formation of Metal-Organic Framework Films on Insulator and Conductor Substrates” (Invited Highlight), CrystEngComm 2025, 27, 6274–6282.
• T. Ito, S. E. Frenk, N. Rai, S. Seifert, X.-M. Lin, S. Nayak “Self-Assembled Bolaamphiphile-Based Organic Nanotubes as Efficient Cu(II) Ion Adsorbents”, Langmuir 2024, 40, 27377–27385.
• T. Ito “Single-Molecule Fluorescence Investigations of Solute Transport Dynamics in Nanostructured Membrane Separation Materials” (Invited Perspective), J. Phys. Chem. B 2023, 127, 5733-5741.
• T. Ito, S. Seifert, K. N. Moeller, A. Uysal “In Situ Synchrotron X-Ray Scattering Investigation of Cathodic ZIF-8 Deposition on Graphite Using 3D-Printed Cells”, Anal. Chem. 2023, 95, 8206–8213.