RESEARCH TOPICS

Hot electron detection in Schottky  nanodiodes

    Metal–semiconductor Schottky junctions provide a unique platform for studying charge transport during catalytic reactions. Our SCAN group develops catalytic Schottky nanodiodes that electrically detect hot electrons generated at catalyst surfaces under reaction conditions. By integrating heterogeneous catalysis with Schottky nanodevices, we measure chemicurrent signals arising from interfacial charge transfer. These nanodevice-based catalytic platforms enable real-time monitoring of hot electron transport at metal–semiconductor interfaces and reveal how charge carrier dynamics influence catalytic activity and reaction pathways. Our research aims to establish catalytic nanodevices as advanced platforms for probing electron-driven surface chemistry under realistic catalytic environments.  

[Related Publications]

Lee, S. W. et al., Nat. Commun. 2021, 12 (1), 40. [Link]

Lee, S. W. et al., Trends Chem. 2023, 5 (7), 561-571. [Link]

Lee, S. W. et al., ACS Catal. 2019, 9 (9), 8424-8432. [Link]

Catalytic control via charge transfer in nanodevices 

    Charge transfer at metal–semiconductor interfaces can modify the electronic structure of catalyst surfaces and influence catalytic reaction pathways. Our SCAN group develops catalytic nanodevices that enable electrical control of heterogeneous catalysis through bias-induced charge transport across Schottky junctions. By applying external bias to catalytic nanodiodes, we investigate how hot electron and hot hole transport alter catalytic activity, reaction kinetics, and product selectivity. These nanodevice-based catalytic platforms provide new opportunities for electrically tunable catalysis and charge-driven control of surface chemical reactions under realistic operating conditions. Our research further explores how interfacial charge flow can steer catalytic reactions toward desired reaction pathways and products.

[Related Publications]

Lee, S. W.* et al., ACS Nano 2025, 19 (11), 11450-11462. [Link]

Lee, S. W. et al., Nano Lett. 2023, 23 (11), 5373-5380. [Link]

Lee, S. W. et al., J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2022, 13 (40), 9435-9448. [Link]

Photoelectrochemistry via hot electron transfer 

    Metal–semiconductor Schottky junctions provide an effective platform for harvesting and transporting hot electrons generated by light excitation. Our SCAN group investigates photoelectrochemical systems that utilize hot electron transfer across Schottky interfaces to drive solar-energy conversion reactions. By combining semiconductor materials with catalytic metal nanostructures, we study charge separation and interfacial electron transport for efficient photoelectrochemical energy conversion. Our research focuses on sustainable energy applications including hydrogen production through photoelectrochemical water splitting and CO₂ reduction driven by solar energy. These studies provide new strategies for developing next-generation energy materials and semiconductor-based photoelectrochemical nanodevices.

[Related Publications]

Lee, S. W.* et al., ACS Catal. 2024, 14 (8), 5520-5530. [Link]

Lee, S. W.* et al., Adv. Sci. 2025, 12 (35), 12017 [Link]

Lee, S. W. et al., Nanoscale 2018, 10 (23), 10835-10843. [Link]

Operando surface chemistry for CO2 hydrogenation

    CO2 hydrogenation has attracted significant attention as a promising strategy for achieving carbon neutrality through the production of sustainable fuels and chemicals. Our SCAN group investigates catalytic CO2 hydrogenation reactions for methanol synthesis using advanced operando (operating condition) surface science techniques under realistic reaction environments. By employing surface-sensitive spectroscopies and microscopy methods, we study dynamic surface restructuring, reaction intermediates, and active sites during catalytic reactions. Our research aims to establish structure–reactivity relationships in bimetallic and oxide-supported catalysts for efficient CO2-to-methanol conversion. Through operando surface science studies, we seek to guide the development of next-generation catalysts.

[Related Publications]

Lee, S. W. et al., Nat. Commun. 2023, 14 (1), 4649. [Link]

Lee, S. W. et al., J. Phys. Chem. C 2023, 127 (42), 20700-20709. [Link]

Lee, S. W. et al., Surf. Sci. Rep. 2021, 76 (3), 100532. [Link]