Research Topics
Programming Function into Matter
Chemistry is no longer only about making molecules. It is about programming function into matter.
At the Bonifazi Group, we believe that molecular design will play a central role in addressing some of the most pressing technological and societal challenges of our time. By understanding how structure governs function, we develop new chemical strategies that enable smarter electronics, cleaner manufacturing, renewable energy conversion and sustainable materials.
Our research combines synthetic organic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, materials science, electrochemistry and biomolecular engineering to create organic molecules and complex architectures capable of harvesting light, transporting charge, recognizing chemical information and catalysing chemical transformations. Through this interdisciplinary approach, we bridge fundamental discovery with technological innovation, contributing to a future where chemistry replaces resource-intensive processes with intelligent molecular solutions.
Our activities are organized into four complementary research platforms.
Organic chemistry offers exciting opportunities to replace conventional electronic materials with lightweight, solution-processable and sustainable alternatives. We develop heteroatom-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and extended π-conjugated materials whose electronic properties can be precisely engineered through molecular design.
By incorporating boron, nitrogen, oxygen and other main-group elements into aromatic frameworks, we tailor charge transport, light absorption and excited-state dynamics to develop organic semiconductors, molecular electronic components and visible-light photocatalysts. These materials not only expand the frontiers of molecular electronics but also enable chemical transformations powered directly by sunlight.
Research Topics
- Heteroatom-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
- Organic semiconductors
- Molecular electronics
- Photophysics
- Photocatalysis
- Charge transport
Towards Sustainable Technologies
Replacing scarce or energy-intensive inorganic materials with organic molecular alternatives, while exploiting solar energy to drive chemical transformations, contributes to the development of cleaner electronics and greener chemical manufacturing.
Complex functions often emerge not from individual molecules, but from the way they interact and organize. Inspired by Nature, we exploit non-covalent interactions to build adaptive molecular architectures capable of molecular recognition, self-assembly and dynamic behaviour.
Our research encompasses molecular receptors, macrocycles, mechanically interlocked molecules and self-organized assemblies, revealing how hydrogen bonding, π–π interactions, halogen and chalcogen bonding can be programmed to create sophisticated chemical functions. These studies provide fundamental insights into molecular communication and organization while laying the foundations for responsive materials, sensing technologies and molecular devices.
Research Topics
- Molecular recognition
- Self-assembly and self-sorting
- Dynamic supramolecular chemistry
- Functional macrocycles
- Mechanically interlocked molecules
- Non-covalent interaction engineering
Towards Sustainable Technologies
Harnessing reversible molecular interactions enables highly selective processes that minimize waste, reduce energy consumption and inspire efficient strategies for constructing increasingly complex chemical architectures.
Our research extends molecular design towards increasingly sophisticated materials that integrate organic chemistry, polymer science, nanotechnology and biotechnology.
We develop electrochromic polymers for smart optical devices, engineer functional nanoparticles with tailored surface properties and design synthetic peptides capable of directing molecular recognition and activating biological processes. More recently, our activities have expanded towards engineering microorganisms to produce commodity chemicals, fuels and high-value molecular building blocks from renewable resources.
Together, these approaches bridge chemistry with biology and materials science, creating new opportunities for sensing, diagnostics, advanced manufacturing and sustainable production.
Research Topics
- Electrochromic polymers
- Functional nanoparticles
- Surface engineering
- Synthetic peptides
- Biomolecular engineering
- Biointerfaces
- Smart responsive materials
Towards Sustainable Technologies
By combining recyclable organic materials, renewable feedstocks and engineered biological platforms, we contribute to circular manufacturing processes that reduce dependence on fossil resources while enabling sustainable production of chemicals and advanced materials.
Scientific discovery achieves its greatest impact when translated into technologies that address real-world challenges. We actively promote innovation through intellectual property development, industrial collaborations and entrepreneurial initiatives that transform fundamental chemistry into practical solutions.
A flagship example is ChromeTrust, a University of Vienna spin-off developing intelligent electrochromic labels for cold-chain monitoring and smart logistics. This technology combines advanced molecular materials, printed electronics and digital connectivity to improve product safety, reduce waste and increase supply-chain transparency.
Beyond ChromeTrust, we actively collaborate with industrial partners to accelerate the translation of molecular discoveries into applications in healthcare, sustainable manufacturing, electronics and energy.
Research Topics
- Technology transfer
- ChromeTrust
- Smart sensing technologies
- Electrochromic devices
- Industrial collaborations
- Entrepreneurship and intellectual property
From Discovery to Impact
Our vision extends beyond scientific publications. We seek to transform molecular discoveries into technologies that contribute to a more sustainable society, supporting the transition towards cleaner manufacturing, smarter materials and resource-efficient innovation.