RESEARCH
Precise Synthesis of Graphene Nanoribbons
Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) hold great promise for developing future technologies in nanoelectronics and quantum computing. Precise control over GNR architectures, in terms of length, sequence and edge state, however, remains challenging with current synthetic methods. We aim to provide a solution to overcome this challenge by developing enabling synthetic methodologies that can allow access to novel GNRs with unprecedented structural and functional diversity. GNRs with defined sequence, uniform length, heterojunction structure and magnetic edge state will be synthesized for investigating structure-property relationships and for uses in advanced applications of energy, biomedicine, (nano)electronics and quantum technologies.
Molecular Nanographenes
Molecular nanographenes are discrete, structurally precise cut-outs of graphene sheets. These nanocarbon materials, possessing desirable physical properties that are highly tunable through chemical modification, are of great importance for applications in electronics, catalysis and biomedicine. Our group is employing physical organic and supramolecular principles to innovate nanographenes with unique optoelectronic, magnetic, and recognition behaviors for organic electronics and analyte sensing. Alongside traditional benchtop solution-phase chemistry, we are developing solid-state mechanochemical synthesis, a sustainable and efficient method that harnesses mechanical force to drive chemical transformations.
Exfoliatable Layered Molecular Crystals
We are striving to develop exfoliatable layered molecular crystals in order to access single-layered supramolecular 2D materials that are held together solely by non-covalent interactions. We are developing a general design strategy for molecular building blocks that can reliably crystallize or co-crystallize with complementary molecules into exfoliatable layered lattices featuring strong in-plane interactions and weak out-of-plane interactions. This research will deliver a new class of molecularly thin 2D materials featuring addressable extrinsic nanopores, which will find utility in emerging technologies of optoelectronics, analyte sensing and molecular separation. Additionally, high-throughput crystallization and characterization will be adapted to accelerate the development of the proposed supramolecular 2D materials.
