Our Research

Interfacial Chemical Conversion at Van der Waals Materials 

Van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures constructed through assembly of atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) layers have created rich opportunities for tuning the physical behaviors of materials as well as their interfacial chemical reactivities. We aim to engineer new types of 2D vdW constructs and investigate how vdW catalysts modulate the dynamics of energy conversion chemistry. Scanning probe methods coupled with optical and electronic characterization are used as the essential tools for these studies.

Electrochemistry of Organic Electrode Materials

Organic molecules and polymers have emerged as a promising and versatile class of electrode materials for next-generation energy storage solutions. We utilize spatially resolved electrochemical techniques to delve deep into the redox kinetics of these fascinating organic electrodes. Our goal is to uncover the intricate mechanisms of ion-coupled electron transfer and understand how these fundamental processes influence the charge and discharge behavior of the materials.

Nanoplasmonic Photoelectrochemistry

Noble metal nanoparticles are evolving as a new class of photocatalysts due to their efficient light harvesting ability via localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). The hot carriers generated through non-radiative decay of surface plasmon facilitate efficient interfacial photochemical reactions. We explore the strategies of integrating plasmonic nanoparticles and semiconductor thin films to enhance the photoelectrochemical reactivity and efficiency.