INTRODUCTION

Fundamental understanding of nanocrystal properties for specific applications largely relies on nanocrystal uniformity in sizes, shapes, compositions and structures. To date, engineering nanocrystals over different parameters are essential for rational tuning of their electronic and geometric structures for enhancing the performance of renewable energy devices. In our group, we will develop a series of new highly efficient nanostructured catalysts by engineering the multimetallic nanocrystals and infrared quantum dots for enhancing the application potentials in next generation energy devices, such as fuel cells, water-splitting cells and electrochemical and photoelectrochemical devices for the reduction of CO2. And we also try to design new heterostructured composite nanocrystals for boosting advanced lithium ion/sulfur batteries and beyonds. The goal of our research on materials synthesis is to build a scientific base for the large-scale production of nanocrystals with well-controlled compositions, structures, shapes, and very interesting physical and chemical properties. Our ultimate target is to realize a series of new nanocrystals system for fuel cells, lithium/sodium batteries, water-splitting cells and photochemical and photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction devices that are superior in performance to the existed materials.