​Research Overview

Our research interests focuses on programmable colloidal nanoscale materials for single-photon sources, imaging, and energy applications.

Pnictide-based SWIR quantum dots for on-demand single-photon emitters

Short-wave infrared (SWIR) materials have gained a big interest as potential on-demand emitters for quantum communication. We would like to advance the field of luminescent colloidal II–V semiconductors (Cd3P2 and Cd3As2). We combine the world best practices in colloidal III–V QDs with the rich experience in compositional grading to engineer highly luminescent SWIR quantum dots emitting at 1500+ nm.

​Colloidal chemistry of 2D materials

Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are tunable quantum-confined materials used in TV displays and biological imaging and making their way into QLEDs, infrared photonic devices, and on-demand single-photon emitters. We would  bring synthetic and characterization tools from “traditional” colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) into the emerging field of 2D layered materials. This will focus on (1) preparation, (2) functionalization, and (3) integration of colloidal 2D materials. Starting with transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), my group will develop chemical exfoliation methods that will produce colloidal solutions of layered materials of desired thickness, lateral size, and dispersant. Next, we will work out functionalization of colloidal 2D materials to integrate them into complex functional assemblies.

Probing the hot synthesis of nanocrystals in situ

Over the past three decades, the synthesis of colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) has evolved to afford programmable materials with desired shapes and complex compositions to address numerous technological demands. Because understanding molecular mechanisms of the NC synthesis enables us to produce structures of various complexities, probing hot syntheses of QDs in situ has earned the attention of chemists. In this direction, we employ electrochemical tools to monitor, quantify, and manipulate NC syntheses. We extend electrochemistry to elevated temperatures and nonpolar solvents to understand the evolution of clusters and NCs during the synthesis.