​The research of Professor Hadjichristidis focuses mainly on the synthesis of novel model homopolymers, copolymers with well-defined complex macromolecular architectures (star, comb, cyclic, dendritic, etc) by using anionic polymerization (AP) high vacuum techniques, as well as combinations of AP with other living and controlled/living polymerization methodologies (polyhomologation, ATRP, RAFT, NMP, Iodine Transfer Polymerization, ROP, ROMP, catalytic, etc).
These polymers are ideal models for checking the theory, understanding and improving the performance of industrial polymers (e.g., polyethylene, thermoplastic elastomers) and are potential candidates for high-tech applications (e.g., nanolithography, drug delivery, high-temperature membranes).
His research interests also include the synthesis of polycarbonates from carbon dioxide and epoxides using non-metallic catalysts, as well as of hybrids of polymers/biopolymers with CNTs, silica NPs by using surface initiating polymerization for advanced applications.

Terpolymers from Borane-Initiated Copolymerization of Triphenyl Arsonium and Sulfoxonium Ylides: An Unexpected Light Emission.
D. Wang, N. Hadjichristidis
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, DOI: 10.1002/ange.201901094

Direct Access to Poly(glycidyl azide) and its Copolymers through Anionic (co-)Polymerization of Glycidyl Azide.
S. K. Boopathi , N. Hadjichristidis, Y. Gnanou,  X. Feng
Nat. Commun. 2019, 10, 293-301. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-08251-1

Temperature and pH-Dual Responsive AIE-Active Core Crosslinked Polyethylene−Poly(methacrylic acid) Multimiktoarm Star Copolymers.
Z. Zhang, and N. Hadjichristidis
ACS Macro Lett. 2018, 7, 886−891. DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.8b00329

An Efficient and General Strategy toward the Synthesis of Polyethylene-Based Cyclic Polymers.
Y. Jiang, Z. Zhang, D. Wang, N. Hadjichristidis
Macromolecules 2018, 51, 3193-3202. DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.8b00333

Block Copolymers of Macrolactones/Small Lactones by a “Catalyst Switch” Organocatalytic Strategy. Thermal Properties and Phase Behavior.
V. Ladelta., J. D. Kim, P. Bilalis, Y. Gnanou, N. Hadjichristidis
Macromolecules 2018, 51, 2428-2436. DOI 10.1021/acs.macromol.8b00153

50th Anniversary Perspective: Polymers with complex architectures.
G. Polymeropoulos, G. Zapsas, K. Ntetsikas, P. Bilalis, Y. Gnanou, N. Hadjichristidis
Macromolecules 2017, 50, 1253-1290. DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.6b02569

• D.Sc., University of Athens, 1979
• Ph.D., University of Liège, Belgium, 1971
• B.Sc., University of Athens, Department of Chemistry, Greece, 1966

• 2016 - present Distinguished Professor of Chemical Science, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
• 2011- 2016: Professor of Chemical Science, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
• 2010: Professor Emeritus, Department of Chemistry, University of Athens, Greece
• 1988-2010: Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Athens, Greece
• 1994-2010: Director, Laboratory of Industrial Chemistry, University of Athens, Greece
• 2005-2009: Chair, Chemistry Department, University of Athens, Greece
• 1999-2003: Chair, Chemistry Department, University of Athens, Greece
• 2000-2009: Visiting Professor, REPSOL-YPF, Madrid, Spain
• 2000-2001: Director of the Institute of "Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry", National Hellenic Research Foundation, Greece
• 1991-1999: Chair, Chemistry Department, University of Athens, Greece
• Jan-Aug. 1991 and all summers 1984-2010: Visiting Professor, ExxonMobil Research and Eng. Co. N.J., USA
• March 1986: Visiting Professor, University of Sheffield, England
• Summer 1983: Distinguished Visiting Scientist, NRC of Canada, Canada
• All summers from 1977 to 1982: Visiting Professor, University of Akron, Institute of Polymer Science, USA
• Summer 1976: Visiting Research Officer, NRC of Canada, Ottawa, Canada
• Summers 1974, 75: Visiting Professor, University of Liège, Belgium

1. Chair’s Award of Excellence, University of Athens, Greece, 2018
2. The Macro Group UK Medal, Macro Group UK, 2016
3. ACS Award in Polymer Chemistry, 2015
4. Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award of ACS, Rubber Division, USA, 2011
5. Advisory Professor, Fudan University, 2011
6. Cooperative Award of ACS Division of Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering, USA, 2010
7. Doctor Honoris Causa, Simon Bolivar University, Caracas, Venezuela, 2010
8. Doctor Honoris Causa, University of Ioannina, Greece, 2010
9. International Award of the Society of Polymer Science, Japan, 2007
10. Milkovich Memorial Lecturer, Institute of Polymer Science, University of Akron, USA, 2006
11. Arthur K. Doolittle Award of ACS Division of Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering, USA, 2003
12. The Greek Chemists Association Award, Greece, 2000
13. Empirikion Award for Sciences , Greece, 1994
14. Academy of Athens Award for Chemistry, Greece, 1989

​KAUST Catalysis Center (KCC)

Physical Science and Engineering Division

Chemical Science Program