Our research interests are in the nanoscience/nanotechnology field. We are interested in the synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles for sensing and spectroscopy related applications as well as platinum and palladium nanoparticles for catalytic remediation applications.

We are interested in fully elucidating the growth mechanisms by which gold and silver nanoparticles of different shapes form. Several in-situ and ex-situ spectroscopic and microscopic tools will be used to assess many parameters involved in the growth process, which will help us develop a set of growth rules that can be used for synthesizing new types of nanostructures. Another project involves developing a solution-based SERS method with colloidal gold and silver nanoparticles of different shapes for the detection of environmental pollutants in water.

Another area of interest involves the synthesis of colloidal supported metal catalysts with platinum and palladium nanoparticles supported on silica colloids. We will test the stability of the colloidal supported catalysts during harsh conditions that take place in many catalytic reactions. Also, we will compare the catalytic activity of these novel catalysts to those in colloidal solution and those supported on traditional supports for environmental remediation and industrial applications.