Research Biography

Investigations in Professor Pourjavadi's research group are directed toward the synthesis and study of superabsorbent hydrogels based on biopolymer backbones, for about 15 years. Various polysaccharides (such as chitosan, carrageenan, alginate, pectin, modified-cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), starch, agar and salep) and proteins (gelatin and collagen) were used in this field.

Our laboratory is working actively in the controlled release of drugs, vaccines and fertilizers. Oral delivery of several drugs (Ibo-profen, tetracycline hydrochloride, sodium diclofenac and triamcinolone) was carried out, successfully. Nasal delivery of hepatit-B vaccine is accomplishing by the modified starch and cellulose nanoparticles. Also, controlled release of nitrate salts as fertilizers was performed by superabsorbent composites.

Our research group is involved in the study of the synthesis and application of biopolymer-anticancer drug conjugates. In this investigation, cis-platin anddoxorubicin as two important anticancer drugs, conjugate with starch and dextran nanoparticles.

Also, we are focused in the field of metal nanostructure synthesis via biopolymers-mediated wet chemical method. Achievements of these researches are including silver nano-(cubes, rods and spheres).

Recently, we are working on the Investigation and optimization of Nanocomposite superabsorbent hydrogels based on nano-silica and different polymeric networks. These composites are applied as internal curing agents to alleviate shrinkage and improve mechanical properties of cement based material or other hydraulic binders.

The synthesis of oil absorbent materials is a new field we are working on it. These synthesized sorbents are based on carbon nanotube and cross-linked copolymers.