Overview
Dr. Liu’s research interests are focusing on the chemistry and material science of nanoscale materials. Specific topics in his current research program include: Self-assembly of nanostructures; Preparation and chemical functionalization of single
walled carbon nanotubes; Developing carbon nanotube based chemical and biological sensors; SPM based fabrication and modification of functional nanostructures.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
George Barth Geller Distinguished Professor of Chemistry
·
2012 - Present
Chemistry,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Chemistry
·
2008 - Present
Chemistry,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
·
2024 - Present
Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science,
Pratt School of Engineering
Bass Fellow
·
2012 - Present
Chemistry,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Recent Publications
Monolithic photonic architecture for volumetric illumination in plasmonic photocatalysis.
Journal Article Nanoscale · January 2026 Recent research in high-temperature photocatalysis is rapidly revealing the unique advantages of using light to augment or replace pure thermal energy in chemical synthesis. However, poor penetration of light into a typical powder catalyst creates a major ... Full text CiteA reflection on ‘Size-tunable rhodium nanostructures for wavelength-tunable ultraviolet plasmonics’
Journal Article Nanoscale Horizons · August 21, 2025 Plasmonic photocatalysis presents a novel approach for controlling heat and light, enabling reactions to take place under milder conditions. In 2016, Zhang and co-workers reported a novel approach in synthesizing rhodium nanocubes with desired sizes and su ... Full text Cite“A Lot’s in a Name”: Insights from Debates on Thermal and Nonthermal Effects in Plasmonic Catalysis
Journal Article ACS Applied Energy Materials · December 11, 2023 Plasmonic catalysis is uniquely positioned between photochemistry/electrochemistry and thermal chemistry such that multiple factors may compete to dominate the reaction enhancement mechanism. The adoption of norms originating in both photochemistry and the ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
MRI: Track 2 Acquisition of the Thermo Fischer Cryogenic Helios 5 CX DualBeam for Materials Science
EquipmentCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2023 - 2026NRT-HDR: Harnessing AI for Autonomous Material Design
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEParticipants · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2020 - 2026REU SITE: Collaborative Research: Nanoscale Detectives -- Elucidating the Structure and Dynamics of Hybrid Perovskite Systems
ResearchMentor · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2021 - 2025View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Harvard University ·
1996
Ph.D.
Shandong University (China) ·
1990
M.S.
Shandong University (China) ·
1987
B.S.