Research in our laboratory focuses on:
The investigation and manipulation of plasmonic properties of inorganic (metal and semiconductor) nanomaterials.
In particular, the group aims to design new colloidal synthetic methods (“Nanosynthesis”) to create unique shapes and composition of plasmonic nanocrystals, which are further functionalized with chemical entities to generate emergent nanocrystal-ligand interface (functional plasmonic) to enhance the plasmonic properties of inorganic-organic hybrid conjugates. The chemistry of these interfaces is the key to fine tuning the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties of nanocrystals to develop ultrasensitive nanosensors, and effective and inexpensive electrocatalysts, and therefore addressing the needs to improve disease diagnosis and enable a low-carbon energy (Solar Fuels).