Thanks Funding Agencies for Supporting Our Research:
Interfacial Reactions Within
Nanoconfined Space
The interface between two immiscible liquids, i.e., liquids with different polarities, creates a junction of a heterogeneous system that provides unique chemical environments, different from those of the bulk liquids, and in consequence, the structural, thermodynamic, chemical, and surface properties are changed. These changes are capable of engendering unusual chemical transformations. However, generating a large interfacial contact area is usually challenging. In this project, we will explore to develop stable and periodic nanosized liquid:liquid interfaces in hierarchically cross-connecting nanoporous materials (e.g., metal-organic frameworks) and to enable certain reactions happening between two immiscible liquids in nanoconfined space to enhance either reaction rate/yield or tune product selectivity.
MOF Confined Nanostructures for Photo(thermal)catalysis
Metal–organic frameworks offer a compelling platform for bridging solid-state photocatalytic systems and molecular catalysts by providing well-defined structures that enable precise correlations between framework architecture and catalytic behavior. Efficient electron–hole separation is a fundamental requirement for high photocatalytic performance and underpins a broad range of applications, including energy conversion and storage, sensing, pollutant degradation, and optoelectronics. To enhance charge separation, we are working on incorporating various guest species into MOF structures to study charge-donating/accepting in hybrid MOF systems. Nevertheless, achieving directional charge transfer remains challenging because it requires careful alignment between the redox energy levels of the guest species and those of the linker chromophores.