Jingyue (Jimmy) Liu
Professor Liu received his B.Sc. (Hons.) degree from University of Science and Technology Beijing, 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 Nanoscience.
liuj@msx.umsl.edu
Office: M303
Phone: (314) 516-5345
Fax: (314) 516-5342
Research Interests
Nanoscience refers to the ability to manipulate individual atoms and molecules, making it possible to build machines on the scale of human cells or create materials and structures from the bottom up with novel properties. Nanoscience could change the way almost everything is designed and made, from automobile tires to vaccines to objects not yet imagined (from National Science Foundation website).
Our research focuses on nanoscience, specifically on two platforms: 1) nanoparticles/nanoparticle systems and 2) advanced nanocharacterization techniques. Nanoparticles are very broadly defined: metal/alloy clusters, semiconductor quantum dots, oxide nanocrystals as well as proteins, viruses and other nanoscale components of biological and non-biological systems. Nanoparticle systems include catalysts, displays, solar panels, chemical and biological sensors, drug/gene delivery vehicles, imaging agents, etc. Advanced nanocharacterization techniques here refer to electron microscopy, X-ray scattering/diffraction as well as a variety of spectroscopy techniques for characterization of nanoscale materials and devices. We highlight below some of the recent research programs.
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.
Nanostructures for Chemical and Biological Sensing: Because of their high surface area, unique physicochemical properties, and controllability of size and shape, nanostructures are ideal components for developing chemical or biological sensors with significantly improved sensitivity and selectivity. The fact that nanostructures are similar in size to common biomolecules also makes them suitable for intracellular tagging or as imaging contrast agents. Functionalization/modification of nanostructures by chemical linkers makes them biocompatible and significantly expands their versatility. We synthesize nanostructures, functionalize them, and develop integrated devices for detection of toxic gases, pathogens, bio-hazards, biomarkers for disease diagnostics, etc. Our goal is to control the nanostructures and their architectures at the nanoscale dimensions in order to tailor their functions to meet the needs of specific sensing applications.
Nanostructures for Energy Applications: Nanostructured materials and systems are considered to be able to address the challenges in energy and natural resources. In particular, nanoarchitectures demonstrate promising properties for improved energy harvesting, conversion, and storage. Our group synthesizes and studies various kinds of nanostructures for applications in hydrogen production, fuel cells, photovoltaics, batteries, capacitors, and other energy systems. A fundamental challenge is to understand the electron capture and transfer processes and how the atomic structures affect these processes. Our goal is to develop novel nanostructures and integrated nanoarchitectures to significantly improve the efficiency of energy production and storage systems.
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
“In situ preparation of Ni–Cu/TiO2 bimetallic catalysts”, P. Li, J. Liu, N. Nag and P.A. Crozier. Journal of Catalysis, 2009, 262, 73.
“Sb2S3:C/CdS p-n junction by laser irradiation”, A. Arato, E. Cárdenasa, S. Shajia, J.J. O'Brien, J. Liu, G. Alan Castillo, T.K. Das Roy and B. Krishnan. Thin Solid Films, 2009,157, 2493.
“A novel heating technology for ultra-high resolution imaging in electron microscopes”, L.F. Allard, W.C. Bigelow, S.A. Bradley and J. Liu. Microscopy Today, 2009, 17, 50.
"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
"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-Al2O3 model catalyst under high-temperature hydrogen reduction", X. Zhong, J. Zhu and J. Liu. Journal of Catalysis, 2005, 236, 9.
"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).