The Devil is in the Detail
We work on (i) developing and applying electron microscopy techniques for the understanding of nanomaterials(ii) developing new nanomaterials to help achieve sustainability. We are trying to bridge the two fields and find synergies in between.
Theme A - Electron Microscopy
Electron Microscopy has come a long way and atomic-resolution imaging and analysis of materials can now be routinely done. Now the limiting factors are usually the electron-matter interaction itself. For studying catalytic nanomaterials, There exist at least 3 grand challenges – (i) Can we investigate the catalyst in their realistic working environment? (ii) Can we develop more dose-efficient method to study a broader range of materials? (iii) How can we better utilise the observations from electron microscopy to establish synthesis-structure-property relationship for catalytic nanomaterials? We are mainly working on two frontlines of Electron Microscopy
In situ/Operando Electron Microscopy
Dose-efficient Electron Microscopy
Theme B - Catalytic Nanomaterials
Electron Microscopy is particularly suitable to investigate structurally/chemically complex catalysts, that cannot be properly understood if only using bulk characterisation techniques. Qian’s lab currently focusing on two types of catalysts, namely (i) nanoalloy catalysts and (ii) complex oxide catalysts. These materials are widely applied in the chemical industry and hold great promises to help achieving sustainable economies.
Nanoalloy and Intermetallic Nanoparticles
Complex Oxide Catalysts
