Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Dr Dominik Kubicki, University of Warwick, UK

Dominik J. Kubicki is an assistant professor in the School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, and collaborates closely with the solid-state NMR facility at the University of Warwick. His research focuses on new materials for sustainable optoelectronic technologies.

Dominik completed his PhD in chemistry at EPFL, Switzerland, under the guidance of Lyndon Emsley in 2018, and went on to work as a postdoctoral researcher at EPFL, the Cavendish Laboratory and the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge, UK, under Michael Grätzel, Sam Stranks, and Clare Grey. He has received an ERC starting grant (£2.2M) focusing on in situ and operando determination of atomic-level structure of metal halide perovskite solar cells. Dominik's group uses various synthetic strategies, in particular mechanosynthesis, in conjunction with solid-state NMR, diffraction, and optical spectroscopies, to make and understand the new materials our society needs to become more sustainable and end reliance on fossil fuels. The group works closely with the UK High-Field Solid-State NMR Facility, which hosts the state-of-the-art 850 MHz, 1 GHz, and soon, 1.2 GHz solid-state NMR systems.

Dominik has supervised and mentored numerous graduate students throughout his career. He actively engages in teaching activities, including supervising experimental undergraduate projects, acting as a personal tutor, and delivering lectures ranging from materials chemistry to physics of sustainable energy generation. He is a guest lecturer in the Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry at the University of Pisa, Italy.

Dominik is passionate about collaborative, interdisciplinary and inclusive science

Read Dominik Kubicki's Emerging Investigator Series article ‘MOF/polymer hybrids through in situ free radical polymerization in metal-organic frameworks’ ( https://doi.org/10.1039/D2MH01202B ) and read more about him in the interview below:

MH: Your recent Materials Horizons Communication introduces the novel free-radical polymerization in a MOF (FRaP-in-MOF) strategy for the preparation of MOF/polymer hybrids with high affinity for non-covalent attachment to functional textile fibers. How has your research evolved from your first article to this most recent article and where do you see your research going in future?

DK: My research has come a long way since my first publication as a master's student, where my focus was on synthetic organic chemistry. Over the past decade, my passion has shifted towards inorganic chemistry and solid-state NMR, which have been the primary focus of my work. As I delved deeper into this field, I've become increasingly fascinated by hybrid materials such as MOFs and metal halide perovskites, which offer a unique combination of organic and inorganic components, providing a wealth of distinct properties and applications. Looking towards the future, I'm eager to continue exploring new materials and studying their atomic-level structure. Discovering novel materials and understanding their properties will undoubtedly remain a major focus of my research.

MH: What aspect of your work are you most excited about at the moment?

DK: What I'm most excited about in my work right now is the ability to mix and match materials to explore the properties that emerge from the combinations. There really is no limit to what we can achieve. One of the most thrilling areas of research today is the combination of MOFs with metal halide perovskites, which can result in hybrid materials with completely new and unexpected properties. This research is also a fantastic opportunity for cross-pollination between these two vibrant research communities, leading to new and innovative ways of thinking.

MH: In your opinion, what are the most important questions to be asked/answered in this field of research?

DK: I think one of the most critical questions in the field of MOFs is understanding the local structure of nodes at the atomic level. While we have a good picture of the long-range structure from diffraction techniques, the nodes can be quite disordered and defective. To address this, we need to start using local structure characterisation techniques to determine the local chemistry of nodes. I believe that solid-state NMR of ⁹¹Zr, ¹⁷⁷Hf, and other node metals will be crucial in this regard. While these experiments are incredibly challenging, the level of detail they can provide will surpass anything we've seen so far.

MH: What do you find most challenging about your research?

DK: For me, the biggest challenge in my research is finding a balance between studying fundamental model problems and complex, state-of-the-art materials that are most relevant to the community. We need to start with simpler materials to understand the underlying chemistry and physics first, and then build on that knowledge to tackle the considerably more complex materials. Luckily, I'm surrounded by experts in many of the areas that interest me, so it's all about asking the right questions and giving it some good thought to strike that balance.

MH: In which upcoming conferences or events may our readers meet you?

DK: I'll be attending several conferences focused on NMR and materials science, including EUROMAR in Glasgow, ENC in Pacific Grove, HOPV in London, and the Fall ACS meeting in San Francisco. If you happen to see me there, please feel free to come say hi! I always enjoy chatting about exciting science!

MH: How do you spend your spare time?

DK: In my spare time, I hike and explore the beautiful natural areas around the West Midlands. One of my favourite local walks is the Kenilworth Greenway. I'm also passionate about studying languages, which has been an enriching and eye-opening experience for me. As a teenager I was fascinated by Hungarian and Turkish, French started as a necessity and soon became a passion, Greek has always captivated me. More recently, I've been studying Hindi and I’m completely enchanted by its beauty. I make sure to find time to read in one of these languages every evening before bed, which helps erase the stress of the day and transports me to a whole different world.

MH: Can you share one piece of career-related advice or wisdom with other early career scientists?

DK: International mobility has been instrumental to shaping my career as a researcher. Although it can be challenging to move to a new country, it's also one of the most rewarding experiences in academia. By immersing yourself in different work environments and cultures, you have the opportunity to meet people with unique approaches to problem-solving. Personally, I am infinitely grateful to the EU mobility programs, such as the Marie Curie-Skłodowska Action, for providing me with these experiences. I encourage early career researchers to take advantage of such opportunities as much as they can.

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