Bilge Baytekin

The research focus of our group is on common polymer mechanochemistry. We investigate the mechanism of static charging of common (both synthetic and natural) polymers, which depends heavily on bond-breaking of the polymer chains at the polymer surfaces. We try to promote/annihilate static charges on polymers, whenever it is necessary, with chemical tricks that are based on mechanochemistry. Our group uses bond-breaking in common polymers to drive lab-scale chemical reactions, such as dye bleaching and metal ion reduction from solution. With the knowledge we acquired in the last ten years, we produce sustainable nanocomposite materials, e.g. with cellulose and lignin, through green, mechanochemical routes. These nanocomposites can be as catalytic and antibacterial materials. Frequently used: cryomilling, sonication. In parallel, we work on the mechanical action/chemical reaction relations in soft materials (e.g. elastomers, gels) and materials for soft robotics.

1. M. Morsali, M. T. A. Khan, R. Ashirov, G. Holló, H. T. Baytekin, I. Lagzi, B. Baytekin Mechanical Control of Periodic Precipitation in Stretchable Gels to Retrieve Information on Elastic Deformation and for the Complex Patterning of Matter, Adv. Mater., 32, 1905779, 1-7 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201905779
2. J. Kwiczak-Yiğitbaşı, Ö. Laçin, M. Demir, R. E. Ahan, U. Ö. Ş. Şeker, B. Baytekin, A sustainable preparation of catalytically active and antibacterial cellulose metal nanocomposites via ball-milling of celulose, Green Chem., 22, 455-464 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1039/C9GC02781E
3. Ö. Laçin, J. Kwiczak Yiğitbaşı, Erkan, M., Ş. C. Cevher, B. Baytekin, The morphological changes upon cryomilling of cellulose and concurrent generation of mechanoradicals, J. Polym. Deg. Stab. 168, 108945 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2019.108945
4. H. T. Baytekin, B. Baytekin, S. Huda, Z. Yavuz, B. A. Grzybowski, Mechanochemical activation and patterning of an adhesive surface toward nanoparticle deposition. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 137, 1726–1729 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1021/ja507983x
5. H. T. Baytekin, B. Baytekin, B. A. Grzybowski, Mechanoradicals created in “polymeric sponges” drive reactions in aqueous media, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed 51, 3596-3600 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201108110

1. S. D. Cezan, H. T. Baytekin, B. Baytekin* Self-regulating Plant Robots: Bio-inspired Heliotropism and Nyctinasty, Soft Robot., 10.1089/soro.2019.0036 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1089/soro.2019.0036
2. S. D. Cezan, A. A. Nalbant, M. Buyuktemiz, Y. Dede, H. T. Baytekin, B. Baytekin, Control of triboelectric charges on common polymers by photoexcitation of organic dyes. Nature Commun., 10, 276 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-08037-5
3. H. T. Baytekin, B. Baytekin, T. M. Hermans, B. Kowalczyk, B. A. Grzybowski, Control of surface charges by radicals as a principle of antistatic polymers protecting electronic circuitry. Science 341, 1368-1371 (2013). https://science.sciencemag.org/content/341/6152/1368
4. B. Baytekin, H.T. Baytekin, B. A. Grzybowski, What really drives chemical reactions on contact charged surfaces? J. Am. Chem. Soc. 134, 7223-7226 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1021/ja300925h
5. K. Sayfidinov, S. D. Cezan, B. Baytekin, H. T. Baytekin, Minimizing friction, wear and energy losses by eliminating contact charging. Science Advances 4, eaau3808 (2018). https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/11/eaau3808

Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3867-3863
Google Scholar: Bilge Baytekin
Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bilge_Baytekin
Scopus profiles: 12646798800

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