Contact information
Tel: (office) +82-42-350-2838, (lab) +82-42-350-5838 (N5, room 2151), +82-42-350-2878 (KI, room A524)
Location: (office) Room 102 (Bldg. E6-6), (lab) Room 2151 (Bldg. N5), (lab) Room A524 (KI)
Fax: +82-42-350-2810
Education
1993: B.S. Seoul National University
1995: M.S. Seoul National University
1999: Ph.D. Seoul National University
Professional Experiences
1999-2002: Postdoctoral fellow, University of Maryland
2002-2009: Postdoctoral fellow and Staff Scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
2009-2016: Associate Professor, KAIST
2013-2016: Group Leader, Center for Nanomaterials and Chemical Reactions, Institute for Basic Science
2016-present : Professor, KAIST and Associate Director, Center for Nanomaterials and Chemical Reactions, Institute for Basic Science
Career
International Committee member of Asian Science Camp
Editorial board member of Scientific Reports
International advisory board of Advanced Materials Interfaces
Awards
KAIST Top 10 Research Achievements (2016)
Top Government R&D Achievement Award (2012, National Science & Technology Commission)
Top 50 Basic Research Achievement Award (2012, National Research Foundation)
KAIST Top 10 Research Achievements (2012)
Monthly Scientist Award (2011, Daejeon City)
RESEARCH AREA
Brief Introduction
In our
group, we focus on the fundamental atomic and molecular aspects of chemical
reactions in complicated and realistic systems, which is a drastic
transformation from the idealized model systems used in the past. We will use
metal single crystals, oxide–metal interfaces, solid–liquid interfaces, and
synthesize and fabricate metal nanoparticles. In situ experimental techniques
capable of accessing different pressure regimes, from ultra-high vacuum to
ambient pressure and solid–liquid interfaces, will also be employed. The new
surface instruments will be used for atomic-level characterization of surfaces,
including sum frequency generation (SFG) surface vibrational spectroscopy,
ambient-pressure scanning tunneling microscopy (AP-STM), ambient-pressure atomic
force microscopy (AP-AFM), and high-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
As the frontiers of molecular surface science move from ultra-high vacuum
surface studies of single crystals to high-pressure gas and solid–liquid
interfaces to nanocrystals and nanocomposites, We will take the lead by
developing prototype instruments for molecular surface studies of chemical
structure, bonding, and reactivity. We synthesize metal and nanocomposite
nanoparticles, to characterize them, and to study their reactivities. In the
group, we have four research topics (surface chemistry, nanocatalysis, hot
electron and scanning probe microscopy) as detailed below.
Research topics
Surface chemistry
Using various surface sensitive techniques under in situ conditions where the chemical reactions are taking place, we aim to reveal the fundamental principles underlying the formation of nanostructures, and to build on this foundation to synthesize highly-efficient nanocatalysts with desired structure and properties.
Nanocatalysis
It is known that catalytic activity depends on the size, shape, and composition of nanoparticles. We have systematically expanded this study by synthesizing multi-functional nanoparticles of different sizes, including core–shell, yolk–shell, and hybrid nanocatalysts. We collaborated with another research group that has the capability to synthesize and fabricate novel nanocatalysts. These nanoparticles were then characterized using various surface-sensitive techniques.
Hot Electron
We have demonstrated electronic excitation created during atomic or molecular processes at the surface. This diode scheme has been utilized to show the analogous photocurrent process and its potential application in future solar and chemical energy conversion technologies.
Scanning Probe Microscopy
Surface science techniques allow us to determine reaction intermediates and surface mobility under catalytic reaction conditions. Scanning probe microscopy (combined with friction and conductance measurements) was utilized at ambient and reaction conditions, which permits us to investigate the nanomechanical (e.g., friction, adhesion, wear, indentation, modulus), charge transport (e.g., conductance, bandgap), and structural properties.
Representative publications
1. “Boosting hot electron flux and catalytic activity at metal–oxide interfaces of PtCo bimetallic nanoparticles”, Hyosun Lee et al. Nature Comm (2018).
2. “Hot Electrons at Solid–Liquid Interfaces: A Large Chemoelectric Effect during the Catalytic Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide”, Ievgen I. Nedrygailov et al. Angewandte Chemie 2016, 55, 10859-10862 (Selected as Front Cover)
3. “The Role of Hot Electrons and Metal-oxide Interfaces in Surface Chemistry and Catalytic Reactions”, Jeong Young Park et al. Chemical Reviews 2015, 115, 2781-2817 (Selected as the Front Cover)
4. “Enhance Nanoscale Friction on Fluorinated Graphene”, Sangku Kwon et al. Nano Letters 2012, 12, 6043-6048 (Highlighted in Nature, Nature 487, 143 (2012).)
5. “Friction Anisotropy–Driven Domain Imaging on Exfoliated Monolayer Graphene”, Jin Sik Choi et al. Science 2011, 333, 607.
6. “Electronic control of friction in silicon pn junctions”, Jeong Young Park et al. Science, 2006, 313, 186.
7. “High Frictional Anisotropy of Periodic and Aperiodic Directions on a Quasicrystal Surface”, Jeong Young Park et al. Science 2005, 309, 1354.
