Takayoshi Sasaki Receives Order of the Sacred Treasure
2025 Autumn Conferment of Japanese Decoration2025.11.06
Takayoshi Sasaki
The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette
Dr. Sasaki contributed to the advancement of materials science and technology research by synthesizing layered metal oxides and hydroxides and developing functional two-dimensional nanosheets through their exfoliation into single layers.
Synthesis and Characterization of Layered Transition Metal Oxides and Hydroxides
Dr. Sasaki developed and established synthesis techniques to prepare high-quality layered transition metal oxides and hydroxides with precisely controlled composition, structure, and morphology. Furthermore, he revealed that these layered compounds exhibit remarkable chemical reactivity in solution, including ion-exchange and intercalation reactions.
Creation of Two-Dimensional Oxide and Hydroxide Nanosheets
Dr. Sasaki discovered that layered metal oxides or hydroxides showed massive swelling when treated with aqueous or organic solutions containing specific ions. By driving this process to its limit, he succeeded in exfoliating the materials into elementary layers. He identified these molecularly thin, two-dimensional crystallites as a new class of nanomaterials, and termed "nanosheets."
Development of Functional Materials Utilizing Nanosheets as Building Blocks
Dr. Sasaki developed solution-based processes for assembling oxide and hydroxide nanosheets like nanoscale LEGO blocks. Through this approach, he created a wide variety of novel materials including ultrathin films, porous materials, and gels, and demonstrated that these materials exhibit outstanding dielectric, catalytic, and electrochemical properties. His work has been recognized as a pioneering contribution to the field of two-dimensional materials.
