Colloidal inorganic nanocrystals are among the most exploited nanomaterials to date due to their extreme versatility. Today, a rational synthetic approach to nanocrystals is of utmost importance due to the growing demand for nanomaterials having compositional diversity and that are engineered in shape, morphology and surface functionality such that they possess well-defined optical, electronic, magnetic, and catalytic features, for use in the most disparate fields of science and technology.
Our group targets many aspects of fundamental research in nanocrystals, ranging from the advanced synthesis, to the assembly and the study of chemical and structural transformations in nanomaterials. The applications are the focus of our research and span many disparate fields, including catalysis, energy storage, optoelectronics, and lighting. In collaboration with other groups at IIT, we develop applications in biomedicine (for example laser hyperthermia), for photodetection, and removal of heavy metals from contaminated fluids.
