University of Maryland College Park, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, USA

Focus: Electrospray, Nano-laminates, Nano-energetic materials, Nanothermites, Spray pyrolysis

• Worked with Luna Incorporation to develop cost-beneficial aerosol spray pyrolysis scale-up processes for producing kilogram quantities of micron-sized iodine oxides.

• Explored structure-function relationships from the view of combustion dynamics of electro-sprayed and 3D printed energetic composites fibers/films incorporated with laminate structures and additives (carbon, metal oxides, oxy-salts).

• Designed an energetic ink formulation to print high particle loading (>90%) solid propellants

• Developed a green composite materials (AgIO3/Carbon/Nitrocellulose) for cloud-seeding pyrotechnic.

• Correlated thermite reactivity with oxides molecular properties by employing systematically designed perovskite and doped Bi2O3 as oxidizers in thermite systems.

• Prepared and discovered a new polymorph of iodic acids, δ-HIO3.

• Demonstrated reaction mechanisms of Ta-based, Ti-based and Boron-based nanothermites.

• Synthesized iodine- or silver-containing oxides into energetic materials for bio-agent defeat applications

• Undertake and advise research undergraduates in aerosol route synthesis and design. 

Tianjin University, Department of Chemistry, China

Focus: graphene-based nanocomposites, Green polymers, 3D graphene-based nanomaterials, Pickering emulsions, and supercapacitors.

• Synthesized poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers (up to the 6th generation) via divergent synthesis method and studied the catalytic performance of PAMAM/graphene oxide composite in Knoevenagel condensation.

• Employed surface-initiated atomic transfer radical polymerization to prepare poly (sodium 4-styrensulfonate) grafted reduced graphene oxide that shows a good catalytic activity for the synthesis of isoamyl benzoate.

• Participated in manufacturing actuator materials based on graphene oxide/polyacrylamide hydrogels by in situ polymerization, which features multi-responsive characteristics and high strength.

• Partook in fabricating a highly efficient and reusable oil absorbent: reduced graphene oxide-coated polyurethane sponge.

• Developed a self-assembly process to prepare three-dimensional graphene-based hydrogels and aerogels that feature excellent absorbing abilities on oils/dyes and high capacitance and stability as electrode materials of supercapacitors.

• Developed reduced graphene oxide sheets decorated with Ag-Au alloy nanoparticles and analyzed their catalytic properties.

• Fabricated reduced graphene oxide supported copper-palladium nanoparticles by one-pot reduction and tested their electrocatalytic activity for the electro-oxidation of methanol and ethanol.

• Participated in a project on drug synthesis methodology. Prepared several drug molecules using organic synthesis methods, such as ring-closure reactions, metal reagents, etc.

• Designed and manufactured several electrolytic cells without cathode compartments in order to prepare NaOH by the electrolysis of NaCl and investigate their electrical performance.