Jingyue (Jimmy) Liu
Professor
Liu received his B.Sc. (Hons.) degree from Beijing University
of Science and Technology, and his Ph.D. degree from Arizona State
University. Prior to joining the University of Missouri-St. Louis
in September 2006, he was a Senior Science Fellow and Senior Research
Manager at Monsanto Company. He is currently the Director of
the Center for Molecular Electronics.
liuj@msx.umsl.edu
Office: M303
Phone: (314) 516-5345
Fax: (314) 516-5342
Research
Interests
Our research focuses on two platforms: 1) nanoparticles/nanoparticle systems and 2) advanced nanocharacterization techniques. Nanoparticles are defined very broadly here: metal and alloy clusters, semiconductor quantum dots, oxide nanocrystals as well as proteins, viruses and other nanoscale components of biological systems. Nanoparticle systems include catalysts, displays, nanocomposites, nanosensors, etc. Advanced nanocharacterization techniques refer to electron microscopy, X-ray scattering/diffraction as well as a variety of spectroscopy techniques for characterization of nanophase materials and devices. We highlight below only two areas of research.
Nanostructured
Catalysts:
Breakthroughs in developing nanostructured catalysts can reduce
the use of raw materials, eliminate toxic/waste byproducts, lower
the energy consumption of industrial processes, provide alternative
energy resources and clean the environment. We synthesize
and study model as well as practical catalysts to understand their
atomic structures and their structural evolution during catalytic
reactions. Catalysis involves molecules interacting with
solid surfaces on an atomic or nanometer scale; atomic level characterization
is critical to understanding the nature of nanostructured catalysts
and their catalytic processes. The insights, gained via nanocharacterization,
into the nature of active sites and the synthesis parameters leading
to the formation of these active sites not only provide information
on the fundamental understanding of nanocatalysis and nanocatalysts
but also help develop industrial catalysts with significant impact
on economy and environment. Determining the active sites
of a catalyst and elucidating the related reaction mechanisms
remain to be an intellectual challenge. Our goal is to develop
and utilize the most advanced surface and nanoscale characterization
techniques and innovative testing protocols to understand the
synthesis-structure-performance relationships of nanostructured
catalysts.
Advanced
Electron Microscopy Techniques:
The focus of this research is to develop quantitative high-resolution
imaging, diffraction and spectroscopy techniques to determine
the atomic structure of nanometer-sized clusters, surfaces, and
interfaces. In situ experiments and integrative approach are critical
to understanding the surface structure and chemistry of nanoclusters,
nanoparticles, and other nanoscale systems. The goal of this
research is to develop quantitative and statistically meaningful
nanostructure characterization technologies, which is one of the
grand challenges in nanoscience and nanotechnology research.
Selected Recent Publications
"Preparation and Characterization of Porous Gold and Its Application as a Platform for Immobilization of Acetylcholinene Esterase", O. V. Shulga, K. Jefferson, A. R. Khan, V. T. D'Souza, J. Liu, A. V. Demchenko and K. J. Stine. Chem. Materials 2007, 19, 3902.
"In situ synthesis and characterization of Ru promoted Co/Al2O3 Fischer-Tropsch catalysts", P. Li, J. Liu, N. Nag and P. A Crozier. Applied Catalysis A-General, 2006, 307, 212.
"Dynamic nucleation and growth of Ni nanoparticles on high-surface area titania", P. Li, J. Liu, N. Nag and P. A Crozier. Surface Science, 2006, 600, 693.
"Cell cycle specific isopentenyl transferase expression led to coordinated enhancement of cell division, cell growth and plant development in transgenic Arabidopsis", S. S. He, A. Hoelscher, J. Liu, D. O'Neill, J. Layton, R. McCarroll and S. Dotson, Plant Biotechnology, 2005, 22, 261
"Study of the interfacial structure of a Pt/a-Al2O3 model catalyst under high-temperature hydrogen reduction", X. Zhong, J. Zhu and J. Liu. J. Catal., 2005, 236, 9
"Atomic-scale study of in situ metal nanoparticle synthesis in a Ni/TiO2 system", P. Li, J. Liu, N. Nag and P. A Crozier. J. Phys. Chem. 2005, 109B, 13883
"Scanning transmission electron microscopy and its application to the study of nanoparticles and nanoparticle systems", J. Liu. Journal of Electron Microscopy, 2005, 54, 251. "Study of the interfacial structure of a Pt/a-Al2O
"High spatial resolution studies of surfaces and small particles using electron beam techniques", J. A Venables and J. Liu. J. Electron Spectroscopy and Related Phenomena, 2005, 143, 205.
"High resolution scanning electron microscopy", J. Liu, book chapter in: Handbook of Microscopy for Nanotechnology, edited by N. Yao and Z. L. Wang (Publisher: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2005).
"Advanced electron microscopy characterization of nanostructured heterogeneous catalysts", J. Liu. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 2004, 10, 55.
"Advanced electron microscopy in developing nanostructured heterogeneous catalysts", J. Liu, book chapter in: Nanotechnology in Catalysis, edited by B. Zhou, S. Hermans, and G. A. Sormorjai (Publisher: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2004)
"Lattice measurement and alloy compositions in metal and bimetallic nanoparticles", S. C. Y. Tsen, P. A. Crozier and J. Y. Liu. Ultramicroscopy 2003, 98, 63.
"Nanophase metal oxide materials for electrochromic displays", Jingyue Liu and James P Coleman, book chapter in: Handbook of Nanophase and Nanostructured Materials, edited by Z. L. Wang, Y. Liu, and Z. Zhang (Publisher: Kluwer Academic/Plenum, 2003.