Molecular Photochemistry and Photophysics provide a fundamental scientific foundation for understanding how molecular structure controls excited-state behavior and energy conversion processes. Our research focuses on developing molecular systems with precisely tunable excited-state potential energy surfaces, enabling control over emission pathways, excited-state lifetimes, and photoinduced structural dynamics. By combining molecular design, spectroscopy, and theoretical modeling, we establish fundamental design rules that govern light-matter interactions in complex molecular and hybrid systems. These studies provide critical knowledge that directly informs the design of next-generation hybrid semiconductors, optoelectronic materials, and radiation detection materials.
A major focus of our molecular photochemistry research is transition-metal complexes, particularly binuclear platinum complexes, where we have demonstrated precise molecular-level control over excited-state structural reorganization. Through systematic ligand design and electronic structure engineering, we show that excited-state potential energy surfaces can be deliberately tuned to control photoinduced structural changes and dual emission behavior. These studies establish predictive molecular design principles for controlling photophysical properties and excited-state relaxation pathways.
Our research also explores the fundamental connections between molecular photophysics and hybrid semiconductor behavior. Both molecular complexes and LD OMHHs often exhibit strong coupling between electronic excitation and structural dynamics. Understanding how photoexcitation drives structural reorganization is essential for controlling exciton localization, carrier relaxation, and emission efficiency. Using advanced time-resolved spectroscopy and collaborative computational modeling, we investigate how molecular-level structural changes propagate across multiple length scales to determine macroscopic optical and electronic properties.
Our current research focuses on ultrafast excited-state dynamics in hybrid materials and molecular systems, exciton-lattice coupling in LD semiconductors, and structure-driven control of light emission and charge transport. By bridging molecular photochemistry, hybrid materials chemistry, and device physics, we establish unified design strategies for advanced photoactive materials with tailored excited-state properties for applications in optoelectronics, radiation detection, energy conversion, and quantum technologies.
Key Publications:
One-dimensional Organic Metal Halide Nanoribbons with Dual emission, Chem. Commun., 2023, 59, 3711-3714.