SASAKI Takehiko
(Associate Professor/Division of Transdisciplinary Sciences)
Department of Complexity Science and Engineering/Surface Physical Chemistry
Career Summary
1987: Graduated, Faculty of Science, The University of Tokyo
1992: Doctor of Science from The University of Tokyo
1992: Research Associate, The University of Tokyo
1997: Associate Professor, The University of Tokyo
Educational Activities
Graduate school:Surface Solid State Chemistry
Research Activities
1) Development of new catalysts
Catalysts are indispensable for many chemical reactions, and solid catalysts areespecially convenient because separation of products can be easily achieved and because it is possible to reuse solid catalysts. For the purpose of converting inactive molecules to useful products, we are developing new solid catalysts based on metal clusters, metal complexes and metal ion-containing ionic liquids.
2) Study on photo-induced processes
Photo-induced chemical reactions are important as a fundamental method for chemical conversion, as well as chemical evolution in relation to cosmochemistry. We are studying organic photochemical reactions and photo-induced processes on ice.
3) Chemical processes on solid surfaces
We are investigating chemical processes on solid surfaces of metals and semiconductors using High Resolution Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy, Electron Stimulated Desorption, Mass spectrometry, Scanning Probe Microscopy and so on. Computational methods such as Density Functional Theory and Monte Carlo simulations are also adopted to explore reaction mechanisms and structural information for intermediate species.
Literature
1) T. Sasaki, C. Zhong, M. Tada, and Y. Iwasawa, "Immobilized metal ion-containing ionic liquids: preparation, structure and catalytic performance in Kharasch addition reaction", Chem. Commun. 2506-2508 (2005).
2) T. Sasaki, F. Nakagawa, and Y. Iwasawa, "Bound site of Mo atoms and its local structure in a Mo/HY catalyst characterized by extended X-ray absorption fine structure and density functional calculation", J. Phys. Chem. B 109, 2128-2138 (2005).
3) T. Sasaki, Y. Goto, R. Tero, K. Fukui and Y. Iwasawa, "Oxygen adsorption states on Mo(112) surface studied by HREELS", Surf. Sci., 502-503, 136-143 (2002).
Future Plan
We are aiming at the integration of theory, synthesis and functions for metal and metal oxide clusters, which will be useful for understanding existing materials and designing new materials with desirable functions.
Messages to Students
Please join our laboratory if you have a strong interest in studying chemical processes, e.g., catalytic systems, solid surface processes, and computational analysis.