Molecular-scale Interface Engineering for Organic and 2D Materials based Functional Devices, and Interface-Controlled Nanocatalysis for Energy and Environmental Research.

Many technologically important devices, such as transistors, memories, lasers, solar cells, light emitting diodes, sensors, electrochemical energy storage devices, all exploit interfacial phenomena. Without precise control of the interface properties, many devices will not function properly. The broad objective of Dr. Chen Wei’s research is to have molecular-scale understanding of these interface properties, and hence to provide design rules for effective interface engineering approaches to improve device performance and materials efficiency, with particular emphasis on the interface engineering for organic and 2D materials based functional devices, and interface-controlled nanocatalyst for energy and environmental research.

Current and future research interests:

  • (1) Molecular-level interface engineering for organic electronic devices, and 2D-materials
  • (2) Interface-controlled nanocatalysis for energy and environmental research
  • (3) Rational design of self-assembled molecular nanostructure arrays over macroscopic area with superior multi-functionalities for molecular nano-devices

1. Molecular-level interface engineering for graphene and 2D-materials

(1) We have systematically investigated various interface engineering approaches of 2D materials, including surface charge transfer doping, metal contact engineering, and dielectric interface engineering, and their corresponding applications in electronic and optoelectronic devices. [ACS Nano 16, 13595-13611 (2022); Adv. Funct. Mater. 32, 2110415 (2022); Nano Research 15, 4439-4447 (2022); InfoMat 3, 917-928 (2021); Nano Lett. 21, 3557-3565 (2021); Small 16, 2001504 (2020); Adv. Opti. Mater. 7, 1901115 (2019); Chem. Soc. Rev. 47, 3100-3128 (2018); Nat. Commun. 9, 2966 (2018); Nat. Commun. 6, 6485 (2015); Adv. Mater. 30, 1801931 (2018); Adv. Mater. 30, 1802207 (2018); Adv. Mater. 30, 1804470 (2018); Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 56, 9131-9137 (2017); Nano Lett. 17, 4122-4129 (2017); ACS Nano 12, 2070-2077 (2018); ACS Nano 8, 5323-5329 (2014); J. Am. Chem. Soc. 129, 10418 (2007); Granted Patents: Chinese Patent No. ZL 201180022146.0, granted on 22nd June 2016; US Patent No. ZL 9,269,773, granted on 23rd Feb 2016; Russian Patent No. 2565336, granted on 20th Oct 2015; Japaneses Patent 5814348, granted on 2nd Oct 2015.]

(2) We have systematically investigated of epitaxial growth mechanism of single blue phosphorous and black phosphorous films, CVD graphene on metals, and the epitaxial graphene on SiC. [ACS Nano 16, 1436-1443 (2022); ACS Nano 16, 21079-21086 (2022); Nano Lett. 20, 5583-5589 (2020); ACS Nano 14, 3687-3695 (2020); Nano Lett. 19, 5340-5346 (2019); Adv. Mater. 30, 1802207 (2018); ACS Nano 11, 4943-4949 (2017); Nano Lett. 16, 4903-4908 (2016); J. Am. Chem. Soc. 135, 9050-9054 (2013); J. Am. Chem. Soc. 135, 9050-9054 (2013); ACS Nano 3, 3431 (2009); ACS Nano 2, 2513-2518 (2008).]

2. Interface-controlled nanocatalysis for energy and environmental research

(1) We have started the research of interface-controlled nanocatalysis for energy and environmental research, with particular emphasis on the atomic scale investigation of surface reaction mechanism and single molecule manipulation. [Nat.Commun. 14, 142 (2023); Energy Environ. Sci. 16, 523-534 (2023); Adv. Energy Mater. 12, 2200580 (2022); Nat.Commun. 12, 3021 (2021); Nat.Commun. 12, 1-10 (2021); Chem. Soc. Rev. 46, 6046-6072 (2017).]

(2) We have started the research of interface-controlled solid-electrolyte-interphase for stable alkali metal batteries. [Nano-micro letters 13, 1-14 (2021); Energy Stor. Mater. 26, 391-399 (2020).]

3. Rational design of self-assembled molecular nanostructure arrays over macroscopic area with superior multi-functionalities for molecular nano-devices

We developed various bottom-up self-assembly approaches for the rational design of molecular nanostructure arrays over macroscopic area with superior multi-functionalities for molecular nano-devices, as well as to systematically investigated the molecule-substrate interfacial properties, including ultrafast interfacial charge transfer, interfacial energy level alignment and molecular orientation.

(1) We have developed various self-assembly strategies to successfully fabricate molecular nanostructure arrays over macroscopic area with desired functionalities, as revealed by low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (LT-STM) studies [Nanoscale 7, 4306 - 4324(2015); Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 15, 12414 – 12427(2013); J. Am. Chem. Soc. 133, 820–825 (2011); J. Am. Chem. Soc. 130, 2720 (2008); J. Am. Chem. Soc. 130, 12285-12289 (2008); Advanced Materials. 20, 484 (2008); Small 6, 70-75 (2010); Small 3, 2015 (2007); Chemical Communication 46,9040–9042 (2010); Appl. Phys. Lett. 99, 143114 (2011); Appl. Phys. Lett.92, 193301 (2008); Appl. Phys. Lett. 92, 023105 (2008); J. Appl. Phys. 111, 034304 (2012); J. Appl. Phys.109, 084307 (2011); J. Chem. Phys. 142, 101902 (2015); J. Chem. Phys.134, 154706 (2011); J. Phys. Chem. C.118, 4151-4159 (2014); J. Phys. Chem. C.117, 1013-1019 (2013); J. Phys. Chem. C. 116, 11565-11569 (2012).].

(2) We have systematically investigated intermolecular interaction determined molecular orientation at organic donor-acceptor heterojunction interfaces, fabricated organic heterojunctions with well-defined molecular orientation, revealed the molecular orientation dependent energy level alignment mechanism at the organic donor-acceptor heterojunction interfaces, and the correlation with the organic electronic device performance. [ACS Nano 8, 1699-1707 (2014); ACS Nano 2, 693 (2008); Advanced Functional Materials 24, 6540-6547(2014); Advanced Functional Materials 21, 410-424 (2011); ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 5, 4696-4701 (2013); ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces  4, 3134-3140 (2012); J. Mater. Chem. C., 1, 1491-1499 (2013); Organic Electronics 12, 2793-2800 (2012); Organic Electronics 12, 534-540 (2011); Appl. Phys. Lett. 103, 063303 (2013); Appl. Phys. Lett. 99, 093301 (2011); Appl. Phys. Lett. 92, 063308 (2008); Appl. Phys. Lett. 91, 114102 (2007); Chemical Communication 4276-4278 (2008); J. Phys. Chem. C. 115, 23922-23928 (2011); J. Appl. Phys. 108, 053706 (2010); J. Phys. Chem. C. 112, 5036 (2008); J. Phys. Chem. C. 113, 12832-12839 (2009); J. Appl. Phys. 114, 113709 (2013);  J. Appl. Phys. 106, 064910 (2009); Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 14, 14127-14141 (2012) Chem. Mater. 20, 7017-7021 (2008).]

Selected Invited Reviews:

  1. “Ferroelectrics-Integrated Two-Dimensional Devices toward Next-Generation Electronics” (Invited Review)
    Jin TY, Mao JY, Gao J, Han C*, Loh KP, Wee ATS, Chen Wei*, ACS Nano 16, 13595-13611 (2022) DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c07281
  2. “Ohmic contact engineering for two-dimensional materials” (Invited Review)
    Zheng Y, Gao J, Han C*, Chen Wei*, Cell Rep. Phys. Sci. 2, 100298 (2021) DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2020.100298
  3. “Surface charge transfer doping for Two-dimensional semiconductor-based electronic and optoelectronic devices” (Invited Review)
    Wang YN, Zheng Y, Han C*, Chen Wei*, Nano Res. 14 , 1682–1697 (2021) DOI: 10.1007/s12274-020-2919-1
  4. “Non-covalent Interaction Controlled 2D Organic Semiconductor Films: Molecular Self-Assembly, Electronic and Optical Properties, and Electronic Devices” (Invited Review)
    Zhang JL*, Ye X, Gu CD, Han C*, Sun S, Wang L*, Chen Wei*, Surf. Sci. Rep. 75, 100481 (2020) DOI: 10.1016/j.surfrep.2020.100481
  5. “2D phosphorene: epitaxial growth and interface engineering for electronic devices” (Invited Progress Report, Selected as Frontispiece Paper)
    Zhang JL, Han C, Hu ZH, Wang L, Liu L, Wee ATS, Chen Wei*, Adv. Mater. 30, 1802207 (2018) DOI: 10.1002/adma.201802207
  6. "Two-Dimensional Black Phosphorus: Fabrication, Functionalization and Application"
    Hu ZH, Niu TC*, Guo R, Zhang JL, Lai M, He J, Wang L, Chen Wei*, Nanoscale 10, 21575-21063 (2018) DOI: 10.1039/C8NR07395C
  7. "Recent Advances in Mechanism and Control of Li2O2 Formation in Li-O2 Batteries"
    Lyu ZY, Zhou Y, Dai WR, Cui XH, Lai M, Wang L, Huo FW, Huang W, Hu Z*, Chen Wei*, Chem. Soc. Rev. 46, 6046-6072 (2017) DOI: 10.1039/c7cs00255f
  8. "Towards Single Molecule Switches"
    Zhang JL, Zhong JQ, Lin JD, Hu WP, Wu K, Xu GQ, Wee ATS, Chen Wei*, Chem. Soc. Rev. 44, 2998-3022(2015) DOI: 10.1039/C4CS003
  9. "Rational Design of Two-Dimensional Molecular Donor-Acceptor Nanostructure Arrays"
    Zhang JL, Zhong S, Zhong JQ, Niu TC, Hu WP, Wee ATS, Chen Wei*, Nanoscale 7, 4306-4324(2015) DOI: 10.1039/C4NR06741J
  10. "Self-Assembly of Binary Molecular Nanostructure Arrays on Graphite"
    Zhang JL, Niu TC, Wee ATS, Chen Wei*, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 15, 12414-12427(2013) DOI: 10.1039/C3CP00023K
  11. "Graphene: Promises, Facts, Opportunities, and Challenges in Nanomedicine"
    Mao HY, Laurent S, Chen Wei*, Akhavan O, Imani M, and Mahmoudi M*, Chem. Rev. 113, 3407-3424(2013) DOI: 10.1021/cr300335p
  12. "Manipulating the Electronic Properties of Graphene via Molecular Functionalization"
    Mao HY, Lu YH, Lin JD, Zhong S, Wee ATS, Chen Wei*, Prog. Surf. Sci. 88, 132-159(2013) DOI: 10.1016/j.progsurf.2013.02.001
  13. "The Role of Gap States on the Energy Level Alignment at the Organic Heterojunction Interfaces"
    Zhong S, Zhong JQ, Mao HY, Zhang JL, Lin JD, Chen Wei*, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 14, 14127-14141 (2012) DOI: 10.1039/C2CP41107E
  14. "Organic-Organic Heterojunction Interfaces: Effect of Molecular Orientation"
    Chen Wei*, Qi DC, Huang H, Gao XY, Wee ATS*, Adv. Funct. Mater. 21, 410-424 (2011) DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201000902