Faculty Research Interests

Affiliates

Lecturers

Faculty Office Hours

Faculty Awards

NMR/Mass Spec Facilities

Reserve NMR

Reserve Mass Spec

X-Ray Facility

X-Ray Crystallography

Resources

Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of California
230 Physical Sciences Bldg.
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Phone: (831) 459-4002
Fax: (831) 459-2935
Email
Maps & Directions

Jin Zhang Professor of Chemistry Faculty Graduate Advisor B.S., Fudan University, China Ph.D., University of Washington Office: 152 PSB Phone: (831) 459-3776 Fax: (831) 459-2935 zhang@chemistry.ucsc.edu

Zhang Research Group Department of Chemistry University of California 1156 High Street Santa Cruz, CA 95064 Office Hours Class Times & Locations Labs: 179/183 PSB, 9-3912 Zhang Research Group

More On Research | More On Teaching | More On Personal | JPC Editorial Office | Conferences of Interest

RESEARCH INTERESTS: Experimental Physical Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, Novel Semiconductor, Metal, and Metal Oxide Nanomaterials, Interfaces and Nanoscience, Solar Energy Conversion, Hydrogen Generation and Storage, Cancer Biomarker Detection Using Nanotechnology, Femtosecond Laser and Optical Spectroscopy

The Zhang research group is primarily interested in the design, development, characterization, and application of advanced materials with emphasis on optical and electronic nanomaterials of both semiconductors, metal oxides, and metals. These nanomaterials have novel physical and chemical properties due to quantum confinement and exceedingly large surface to volume ratio. The design and synthesis of the materials are mostly based on inorganic colloidal chemistry methods. The synthesized materials are characterized systematically and extensively using a variety of experimental techniques including optical spectroscopy (UV-visible, fluorescence, IR, and Raman), femtosecond laser spectroscopy (for probing ultrafast charge carrier dynamics), x-ray (XAFS, XRD, x-ray photoemission), electrochemical, and microscopy (HRTEM, SEM, AFM). In the meantime, we explore emerging technological applications of these advanced nanomaterials in areas such as solar energy conversion, hydrogen generation and storage, photocatalysis, photovoltaics, photoelectrochemistry, sensors and imaging (particularly based on SERS), detection of cancer biomarkers, solid state lighting, and lasers.

At the fundamental level, we hope to elucidate, with molecular details, key factors, such as particle size, shape, crystal structure, interface, and environment, that influence the properties and functionalities of the nanomaterials. Femtosecond laser spectroscopy is used to directly probe of charge carrier or exciton dynamics on the ultrafast time scale. X-ray and high resolution microscopy allows for detailed structural studies. Optical and electronic properties are studied using optical spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements. One of our objectives is to establish relationship between the structure of the materials and their properties functionalities. At the technological level, we explore emerging applications of these novel materials in a number of areas including sensors, solar cells, hydrogen generation and storage, catalysis, detectors, imaging, solid state lighting, and lasers. Examples of nanomaterials systems that have been studied and/or are currently under investigation include: CdS, CdSe, CdTe, ZnS:Mn, ZnSe:Mn, ZnSe:Cu, ZnSe:Ag, AgI, AgBr, TiO2, ZnO, WO3, CuS, PbI2, PbS, Fe2O3, BiI3, Ag2S, Si, Ag, Pt, Pd, and Au. For a list of publications, please see "More On Research".

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Please see "More On Research"