Dmitry joined the Borguet research group in 2006 to study the chemical properties of carbonaceous materials, such as carbon black, carbide derived carbons, and carbon nanotubes.

The goal was to understand how the functional groups present on carbonaceous materials influence their interaction with molecular species. Specifically mercury interaction with carbonaceous materials was studied. Possible roles of the surface functionalities in Hg0 trapping and heterogeneous oxidation of Hg0 were also focused on. The goal was reducing mercury emissions from coal fired power plants.

The accumulated knowledge helped Dmitry to contribute into the development of carbonaceous material for mercury trapping, while he was working as an intern at Calgon Carbon Corporation. The developed product is available on the market and helps solve environmental problems all around the world.

While working in the Borguet group, Dmitry made a number of interesting observations while studying carbon nanotubes. For instance his 2011 publication in JACS on the infrared screening of molecules adsorbed inside SWCNTs was covered in the Chemical Engineering News journal.

Dmity collaborated with Professor Stephan Irle (Nagoya University, Japan) and his group who provided a theoretical perspective on fundamental questions regarding molecular interactions with SWCNTs. The productive work with Professor Yury Gogotsi and his group (Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA) led to publication of collaborative work in Thermochimica Acta on our investigation of chemical properties of modern class of carbon materials - Carbide Derived Carbons. We hope that knowledge that we derived will help developing carbon materials and products that will find multiple applications in different spheres of life.

Dmitry Kazachkin defended his PhD dissertation in 2008. Dmitry's dissertation ("Investigation of chemical and adsorption properties of carbon nanotubes: building a bridge for technological applications of carbon nanotubes") considers the interaction of carbon nanotubes with simple molecules under different experimental conditions.

Dr. Dmitry Kazachkin is currently working as a Senior Research Scientist at Renmatix Inc. (King of Prussia, PA) where he helps to commercialize game changing technology that enables the wide-scale transition from fossil fuel based products to biomass based chemicals and fuels. Renmatix's proprietary process pioneers the use of supercritical hydrolysis to break down non-food biomass quickly. The resulting sugars serve as the affordable intermediaries that our industry-leading partners require to develop tomorrow's clean alternatives to today's conventional fossil fuel based products.

Executive Summary Dissertation
"Investigation of chemical and adsorption properties of carbon nanotubes: building a bridge for technological applications of carbon nanotubes"
Dmitry Kazachkin, Ph.D. University of Pittsburgh, 2009