Research Interests

We design and apply nanophotonic materials—such as plasmonic nanostructures and metasurfaces—that enable sub-wavelength optical control. These platforms allow us to probe molecular transformations with in situ, surface-enhanced spectroscopies and to drive new light-coupled reaction pathways. By combining electrochemical methods with optical techniques, we reveal how interfacial charge transfer processes are influenced by light, structure, and environment.

Aqueous electrochemical interfaces—between solid electrodes and water-based electrolytes—are central for energy storage and chemical conversion technologies like aqueous batteries, which provide safer, lower-cost alternatives to traditional Li-ion batteries, especially for grid-scale applications, and electrocatalysis that converts greenhouse gases or pollutants into fuels or feedstocks. 

We aim to advance next-generation energy and chemical conversion technologies by understanding and controlling aqueous electrochemical interfaces. We develop in situ FTIR spectroscopy with battery cycling capabilities to uncover critical interface reactions for cycling stability. We further investigate charge transfer kinetics to deepen our understanding of fast charging. These fundamental understandings guide the design of electrode and electrolyte materials with improved lifetime, rates, and efficiency.

Catalysts accelerate chemical reactions by lowering energy barriers, enabling the production of valuable compounds like ammonia. Electrocatalysis using renewable electricity offers less energy-intensive pathways under milder conditions by altering electron energies and reaction intermediates. Plasmon-assisted electrocatalysis further couples metallic nanoparticles (e.g., Ag, Au, Cu) with electrodes as electrocatalysts, where light can excite plasmons, i.e. collective electron oscillations, in the nanoparticles, generating enhanced electromagnetic fields and highly energetic charge carriers. These plasmonic effects hold promise for accelerated reaction rates and improved selectivity by leveraging both light-matter interactions and electric potentials.

Bioelectricity plays a key role in regulating and driving essential cellular processes. Billions of years of evolution have allowed natural microorganisms to harvest energy and make chemicals from simple ingredients (e.g., converting CO2 or N2 to multi-carbon or NH3 chemicals) in a precise way; for mammalian cells, cancer cell growth, neuron communication, and muscle cell contraction are also all influenced by bioelectricity. We are interesed in interfacing biological cells with artificial electrodes, which enables various applications, including eco-friendly biohybrid energy conversion, biosensing, and cell modulation.