Abstract:

With unique physical and chemical properties, and high potential for many important applications, nanomaterials have attracted extensive attention in the past two decades. In particular, due to their unique, size- and shape-tunable surface plasmon resonance, plasmonic nanostructures have recently been explored for enhancing the efficiency of solar cells and photocatalysis via improved light scattering, strong near field effect and/or hot electron injection. On the other hand, near infrared quantum dots (QDs) with size tunable bandgaps, broad absorption, narrow and bright emission, and high potential for multiple exciton generation represent a class of promising materials for new generations of solar cells and theranostic agents. Combination of different nanomaterials into a single architecture leads to even more promising, multifunctional nanomaterials. In this talk, I will present our recent work on the synthesis of nanomaterials (including plasmonic nanostructures and NIR QDs), and their assemblies as well as their applications in solar cells, solar fuel, photocatalysis and biomedicine [1-8]. Rational design of hybrid nanomaterials in order to maximize benefits is highlighted.

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