Nicholas A. Kotov

Kotov’s research is focused on the development of biomimetic nanocomposites, the self-assembly of nanoparticles,[16] and chiral nanostructures.[17] Utilizing G. Decher's layer-by-layer assembly (LbL),[18] Kotov prepared the first examples of layered graphene oxide nanocomposites and their reduction to graphene in 1996.[19] Layered graphene and graphene oxide nanocomposites comprising a wide range of polymers are now used in a variety of charge storage devices: batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, solar energy conversion, etc. Other applications include ultrastrong materials, barrier coatings, sensors, wearable electronics, and implantable neuroprosthetic devices. 

Kotov’s research on the self-assembly of graphene oxide and clay nanoplatelets instigated the development of a large family of ultrastrong materials replicating nacre,[20] a natural material known for its layered architecture, opalescence, and unusually high toughness. The sequential deposition of one nanoscale layers at a time allowed him to create macroscale versions of nacre that overcome the long-standing problem of phase separation established in earlier works on clay nanocomposites carried out by Lagaly[21] and scientists at Toyota.

Kotov showed that clay-based biomimetic composites can attain mechanical properties comparable to some grades of steel while retaining their transparency.[22] This discovery spurred the development of new methods for the mass-production of nacre-like materials from clays and similar inorganic nanomaterials.[23] Layered clay nanocomposites are utilized in the chemical, energy, and food industries due to their combination of high strength, toughness, transparency, and environmental resilience in the form of membranes and packing materials.

In his first publication as Assistant Professor at Oklahoma State University, Kotov demonstrated strong barrier and gas-selective properties in nacre-like layered clay nanocomposites that are also crack-resistant.[24] He worked with packaging manufacturer Avery Dennison and biomedical device manufacturer Ciba Vision on the large scale implementation of composite coatings. As early as in 2000 Avery Dennison converted the dipping method of preparation of composites into a roll-to-roll processing for the scalable manufacturing of biomedical and other coatings.

Kotov extended the concept of biomimetic nanostructures to inorganic nanoparticles. He established that, similarly to many proteins and other biomolecules, nanoparticles can self-organize into chains,[16] sheets,[25] nanowires, twisted ribbons[26] and nanohelices,[27][28] and spherical supraparticles replicating viral capsids.[29] The functional parallels between nanoparticles and biomacromolecules were established using pyramidal nanoparticles that inhibit the bacterial enzyme β-galactosidase by fitting in a lock-and-key manner into the groove of the enzyme.[30]

Kotov’s work established that the biomimetic self-assembly behavior of nanoparticles originates from interparticle interactions at the nanoscale,[31] in which chirality also plays a prominent role.[32] Kotov’s studies on the self-assembly of chiral nanostructures have led to the development of nanoparticle assemblies with complexity exceeding those found in biological organisms.[33]

Kotov serves as an Associate Editor for the journal ACS Nano,[34] and as an advisory board member of several other nanotechnology journals. He has received awards and recognitions from a number of different countries, international organizations, and multinational corporations. These include the 2017 Colloid Chemistry Award of the American Chemical Society,[7] the 2016 Stephanie Kwolek Award of the Royal Society of Chemistry,[8] the 2016 UNESCO Medal for Development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies,[9] the 2014 MRS Medal,[10] the 2013 Langmuir Lecturer Award of the American Chemical Society,[35] and the 2012 Stine Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.[11] He was also selected as a 2016 August T Larssons Visiting Scholar by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet), a 2016 Fulbright Scholar, and as a Fellow of the Materials Research Society in 2014.[36]

Kotov married chemist Elvira Stesikova, PhD, in 1991. They have two daughters, Sophia and Nicole.

• Group research website