Research

Eelctrochemical Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

My PhD thesis is focused on development of EC-TERS instruments and method. I have setup two sets of EC-TERS instruments and obtained for the first time the potential dependent EC-TERS spectra. This method holds considerable promise for application in electrochemical systems with a high spatial resolution and real-time dynamic study with simultaneously obtained topographic and fingerprinting information of the electrochemical systems.

Novel Electrochemical Raman Spectroscopy Enabled by Water Immersion Objective

Novel spectroelectrochemical setup based on the use of water immersion objective. This setup allows the use of a thick electrolyte layer and can achieve high detection sensitivity for electrochemical Raman spectroscopy. Specifically, we extended the electrolyte layer thickness to 2.0 mm, which can effectively avoid the impact of thin layer to the real electrochemical reaction, such as the hindered diffusion and ohmic drop. Furthermore, we obtained significant improvements in intensity and spatial resolution of Raman signals. All these are critical for extending the electrochemical Raman studies to specific electrochemical reactions or transition metal surface with extremely weak signal, such as tracking the intermediate species of reactions.

Photothermal Image (PHI) combination with SERS/TERS

The optical properties of plasmonic nanoparticles are strongly dependent on interactions with other nanoparticles, which complicates analysis for systems larger than a few particles. In this work we examined heat dissipation in aggregated nanoparticles and its influence on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) through correlated photothermal heterodyne imaging, electron microscopy, and SERS measurements.

Home-built setup

Completed Project:

Project: 2 sets EC-TERS instrument

Project: Spectroelectrochemical cell sesign

Project: Photothermal image (PHI)-SERS/TERS instrument

Project: DC-10MHz, large area, low noise (10 nV/Hz^1/2 ) Photodiode pre-Amplifier

Project: Low noise STM pre-Amplifier

Project: High price/performance ratio data acquisition system with Arduino

On going project:

Project: Lock-in Amplifier

Project: Bipotentiostat

Project: Tuning fork based FM-AFM