A Triptych of Challenges in Environmental Remediation, CO₂ Capture, and Biomedical Applications
Prof. Adam Duong
Université de Picardie Jules Verne, France adam.duong@u-picardie.fr
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Addressing the major challenges of the 21st century requires the development of innovative molecular and materials-based solutions at the interface of chemistry, energy, environment, and health. At the Laboratoire de Glycochimie et des Agroressources d’Amiens (LG2A, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, France), our research combines molecular design and advanced functional materials to tackle these interconnected issues.
In this lecture, I will present a triptych of research activities spanning environmental remediation, carbon management, and biomedical applications. The first part will focus on porous crystalline materials, including metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), developed for carbon dioxide capture, photocatalytic CO₂ reduction, and hydrogen production. Through selected examples, I will discuss how rational control of framework structure, porosity, and functionality enables the development of efficient materials for sustainable energy and environmental technologies.
The second part will highlight our efforts in the design and synthesis of functional molecules inspired by carbohydrates and other structurally complex scaffolds for biomedical applications. Particular emphasis will be placed on the development of novel molecular platforms and therapeutic candidates targeting cancer treatment, where molecular architecture and chemical functionality play key roles in biological activity.
Finally, I will discuss emerging opportunities at the interface between synthetic chemistry and reticular materials. The ability to design tailored molecular building blocks, including chiral and functionalized architectures, opens exciting perspectives for the next generation of porous materials with applications ranging from selective separations and catalysis to advanced biomedical technologies. This multidisciplinary approach illustrates how molecular innovation can drive the development of sustainable solutions to global societal challenges while creating new opportunities for collaboration between organic synthesis and materials chemistry.
Keywords: Sustainable chemistry; Waste valorization; Diaminotriazinyl; MOFs; CO₂ capture; Functional materials, carbohydrates, Biological activity.
Biography: Professor Adam Duong is a Junior Professor Chair and Professor of Chemistry at the University of Picardie Jules Verne (UPJV, France), where he leads research at the Laboratoire de Glycochimie et des Agroressources d’Amiens (LG2A). His research lies at the interface of molecular design, sustainable chemistry, and advanced functional materials, with applications in energy conversion, environmental remediation, carbon management, and biomedicine. Before joining UPJV, he served as Full Professor at the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières (UQTR, Canada), where he established an internationally recognized research program on porous materials, photocatalysis, hydrogen production, CO₂ capture and utilization, and energy-related technologies. His scientific career also includes postdoctoral training with Professor Omar M. Yaghi, pioneer of reticular chemistry and recipient of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, where he contributed to the development of advanced metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and porous materials. Professor Duong has secured more competitive research funding from major national and international agencies, including NSERC (Canada), ANR (France), and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). He has authored numerous scientific publications in the fields of supramolecular chemistry, porous materials, photocatalysis, and sustainable technologies. Beyond his research activities, he has held several scientific leadership positions, including Chair of the Academic Committee of the Quebec Centre for Advanced Materials (QCAM) and Program Director in Energy and Materials Science at UQTR. He is actively involved in international scientific evaluation, research mentoring, and the organization of major scientific conferences. His current research aims to bridge molecular synthesis and advanced materials engineering to develop innovative solutions for global challenges in health, energy, and environmental sustainability.