Precision Nanochemistry and Nanomaterials

Over the past two centuries, chemists have developed the ability to precisely build up complex structures at the molecular scale, including organic molecules and inorganic coordination compounds. However, when it comes to the nanoscale, the precision of chemical synthesis is limited. Our research focuses on extending precision chemistry from the molecular scale to the nanoscale, therefore achieving atomic-level control of nanomaterials. We develop chemical reactions to enable rational synthesis of atomically precise nanomaterials. Through these structurally defined nanomaterials, we aim to achieve a precise understanding of their structure-properties correlations at the atomic level. By integrating precise nanochemistry with solid-state physics and molecular biology, our lab also explores significant topics, including efficient optoelectronic devices for energy conversion, hierarchical solids with exotic physical properties, and mechanisms for the self-emergence of living systems. The ultimate goal of our research is to design and create synthetic nanomaterial systems that could eventually rival the precision, hierarchy, and complexity of living systems.

Precision

Hierarchy

Complexity