Engineering Nanomaterials for Catalysis

In this presentation, I will summarize my recent efforts in the synthesis, stabilization and application of functional nanomaterials. By using silver nanoplates as a model system, we attempt to outline the key components that determine the formation of nanomaterials, clarify the roles of each reagent, provide highly reproducible recipes for synthesis, and therefore take a significant step towards the complete understanding of the mechanism behind the experimental phenomena. We have also focused on core-shell nanostructures - a class of nanoparticles encapsulated and protected by an outer shell that isolates the nanoparticles and prevents their migration and coalescence during the catalytic reactions.