Research

​​The main goal of our research group is to design, characterize, and apply a new class of hybrid nanomaterials leveraging our unique expertise in inorganic chemistry, nanoscience and the state-of-the-art materials characterization to address the emerging needs for renewable energy and clean environment applications.
We develop hybrid nanomaterials, composed of a metal nanoparticle core and a higher-order construct shell for new properties and functions. Shape-anisotropic nanoparticle cores are studied for their directionality in physical and chemical properties, and are coated with a shell using precise and hierarchical control. Systematic modulation of the materials is expected to give rise to a quantitative understanding of "synergetic effects" and of molecular behavior in nanoscale confining and interfacial environments.