Postdoc, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Ph.D., Polymer Science, University of Akron

Our research is focused on rational design of responsive and functional polymer systems through and for understanding of the molecular interactions between polymers and between polymers and other species. Current research interests include: (i) macromolecular brush materials (brush particles and bottlebrush polymers), (ii) stimuli-responsive polymers (nonionic, ionic, and zwitterionic), (iii) polymer adsorbents for removal of toxic species from water, and (iv) ferroelectric liquid crystalline polymers (mesogen free and fluorine free). State-of-the-art polymerization methods and organic synthesis tools are used to prepare the designed polymers, and various characterization techniques are employed to study their structures, behaviors, and properties. Our research involves polymer chemistry, materials chemistry, surface chemistry, and environmental chemistry.

Paul and Wilma Ziegler Professorship, University of Tennessee
Senior Award for Excellence in Research/Creative Achievements, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Tennessee
Polymer Science Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Akron
Chancellor’s Award for Professional Promise in Research and Creative Achievement, University of Tennessee
Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award, Oak Ridge Associated Universities

1. Fatumoju, E. O.; Turner, C. T.; Ramírez-Hernández, A.; Li, C. Y.; Zhao, B. Shape-Changing Core-Shell Bottlebrush Polymers as Stimuli-Responsive Interface Stabilizers. ACS Applied Polymer Materials 2026, 8, ASAP Article.
   DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.6c02647
2. Huang, J.; Rui, G.; Yan, Y.; Allahyarov, E.; Kwok, M.-H.; Zhu, W.; Li, L.; Zhang, S.; Pan, Z.; Li, D.; Zhang, H.; Mu, R. R.; Zhao, B.; Wang, Q.; Taylor, P. L.; Haglund, R. F.; Zhang, Q. M.; Zhu, L. Fluorine-Free Strongly Dipolar Polymers Exhibit Tunable Ferroelectricity. Science 2025, 389(6755), 69-72.
   DOI: 10.1126/science.ads4702
3. Ojima, K. O.; Dayarathne, S. H.; Kelly, M. T.; Zhao, B. Quaternary Ammonium-Containing Polyelectrolyte Brush Particles for Removal of Perrhenate Anion from Water: Effect of N-Substituents. Macromolecul. Rapid Commun. 2025, 46(10), 2401087.
   DOI: 10.1002/marc.202401087
4. Zhao, B.; Kelly, M. T.; Dayarathne, S. H.; Yu, S. C.; Ojima, K. O.; Li, C. Y. pH-Responsive Shape-Changing Molecular Bottlebrush Emulsifier. Macromolecules 2025, 58(4), 1982-1992.
   DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.4c03034
5. Yu, S. C.; Kim, S.; Ojima, K. O.; Zhao, B.; Li, C. Y. Scrolled Poly(L-lactic acid) Single Crystals via Chain End-Induced Symmetry-Breaking. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, 64(6), e202420137.
   DOI: 10.1002/anie.202420137
6. Wilk, J. T.; Furner, C. T.; Kent, E. W.; Kelly, M. T.; Zhao, B.; Li, C. Y. Effect of Grafting Density on the Crystallization Behavior of Molecular Bottlebrushes. Macromolecules 2024, 57(17), 8487–8497.
   DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.4c00752
7. Kelly, M. T.; Zhao, B. Worm-Globule Transition of Amphiphilic pH-Responsive Heterografted Bottlebrushes at Air-Water Interface. Soft Matter 2024, 20, 1224-1235.
   DOI: 10.1039/D3SM01635H
8. Kelly, M. T.; Chen, Z.; Russell, T. P.; Zhao, B. Amphiphilic Heterografted Molecular Bottlebrushes with Tertiary Amine-Containing Side Chains as Efficient and Robust pH-Responsive Emulsifiers. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62(52), e202315424.
   DOI: 10.1002/anie.202315424
9. Gao, L. F.; Mei, S; Qian, Q.; Yu, S. C.; Zhao, B.; Tu, Y. F.; Li, C. Y. Crystallization-Driven Nanoparticle Crystalsomes. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62(15), e202217267.
   DOI: 10.1002/anie.202217267
   
10. Bohannon, C. A.;^† Kwok, M.-H.;^† Huang, J. H.; Rui, G. C.; Li, R. P.; Zhu, L., Zhao, B. Smectic C Self-Assembly in Mesogen-Free Liquid Crystalline Chiral Polyethers with Sulfonylated Methyl-Branched Side Chains. Macromolecular Rapid Communications 2023, 44(1), 2200501. DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200501