Research Interests 

Controlling the Arrangement of Atoms to Create a Sustainable Future

Based on “material design at the atomic and molecular level”—the ultimate form of nanotechnology—we are striving to create innovative materials that contribute to energy conversion, environmental remediation, and next-generation bio-devices.

1. The Foundation of Material Design: Single-Atom and Atomic Cluster Science

We are pursuing technologies that precisely control metal atoms as “single atoms” or “clusters of a few atoms.”

Single-Atom Catalysts (SACs): The ultimate catalyst design that fixes atoms in an isolated state on a support, achieving both 100% atomic utilization efficiency and high selectivity.

Metal Clusters: We synthesize “artificial molecules” consisting of several to dozens of metal atoms, exploring unique physical properties based on size and magic numbers.

Adv. Funct. Mater. 33, 2303321 (2023)  J. Am. Chem. Soc. 147, 23733-23742 (2025).  Small 26, 2500302 (2025).   Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 60, 21340-21350 (2021).  

2. Green Energy Creation: Water Splitting and Carbon Dioxide Reduction

We are developing clean fuel production processes that will serve as a key solution to global warming.

Water Splitting (Artificial Photosynthesis): Creating electrodes and photocatalysts that extract hydrogen with low energy input using sunlight or renewable electricity.

Carbon Dioxide Utilization: Designing highly selective catalytic interfaces that efficiently convert emitted carbon dioxide into useful chemical feedstocks and fuels.

J. Mater. Chem. A 13, 12124-12132 (2025) 　J. Am. Chem. Soc. 146, 26808-26818 (2024). 　Small, 19, 2208287 (2023). 

Small Sci. 6, e202500632 (2026). 　Small 21, 2570126 (2025).　Small Sci. 5, 2400465 (2025). 　J. Am. Chem. Soc., 141, 8402-8406 (2019). 

3. Environmental Remediation and Resource Recycling: Nitrate Reduction

Aiming to normalize the nitrogen cycle, we are proposing technologies that transform water pollutants into resources.

Nitrate to Ammonia: Developing an electrode process that reduces nitrate ions in wastewater to ammonia at ambient temperature and pressure, simultaneously achieving environmental remediation and the production of fertilizers and fuels.

ACS Catal. 15, 20853-20863 (2025).

4. Development of Photofunctional Materials: Luminescent Nanoparticles (TBA)

We are pushing the “luminescent” properties of metals to their limits and advancing their application in the medical and device fields.

Bioimaging: Highly sensitive visualization of cells and biomolecules using biocompatible luminescent clusters that do not contain heavy metals.

Next-Generation Devices: Utilizing vivid luminescent colors dependent on atomic number to develop high-efficiency optical sensors and display materials.

Our Vision

To understand the behavior of a single atom and apply that knowledge to solving macro-level societal challenges. At the intersection of chemistry, physics, and materials engineering, we are bringing “materials of the future” with unprecedented functions to life, one by one.

Research Skills

Single atom catalysts, Nanocluster catalysts, XAFS mesurments, Nanoparticles (silver, gold, PbS, CdSe) synthesis, Fabrication of (quantum dot-sensitized, dye-seisitized, ZnO nanowire /PbS QD hetero-junction) Solar Cells, Photoelectrochemical Measurement, DFT caluculation, Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) Calculation.