Nanoscale Materials
Our group advances the design, synthesis, and application of functional nanomaterials, including MXenes, two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDs), carbon architectures, and polymers. We develop controllable synthesis routes and engineer the nanomaterials in terms of defect, phase, orientation, and morphology to precisely tune their physicochemical properties. Moreover, we work on advanced techniques to transfer the developed nanomaterials into macroscopic forms, such as fibers, thin films, membranes, and hydrogels/aerogels. These engineered structures enable high-performance energy storage and conversion, flexible and wearable electronics, and advanced multimodal sensors.
Our research group is at the forefront of developing next-generation mobile-ion batteries, crucial for addressing global energy demands and environmental challenges. We focus on a diverse range of battery chemistries, including cutting-edge Lithium-ion and Lithium-metal batteries, as well as emerging Sodium technologies. Our work aims to enhance energy density, power capability, safety, and cycle life for various high-impact applications.
Combining metal-like conductivity, tunable work function, and excellent thermal spreading, MXene enables a new class of contact for next-generation electronics. It occupies wide applications for multiple semiconductor materials, enabling tunable interfaces across diverse device platforms. Across these platforms, we connect interface chemistry to device physics, delivering reliable, energy-efficient electronics.
Sensors are being developed in our group based on various sensing mechanisms for wearable sensor applications. Potentiation, capacitance-based, transistor-based, hydrogel-based, and fiber-based sensing devices are being investigated. The applications we are targeting include wearable medical sensors, environmental sensors, and gas sensors.