Welcome to the Zhu research group in TXST
At the frontier of next‑generation chemistry and nanoscience, our lab develops functional nanomaterials and nanostructures for targeted applications in renewable and sustainable energy, optoelectronics, and photocatalysis. Central to our work is the synthesis of colloidal inorganic nanoparticles (NPs), whose finely tunable size, shape, surface chemistry, and optoelectronic properties enable the rational design of hybrid inorganic–organic materials with tailored functionalities. By precisely engineering interactions between inorganic NPs and organic molecules, we seek to uncover new physical pathways and reaction mechanisms that advance both fundamental understanding and practical technologies. Our research places particular emphasis on semiconductor nanomaterials for optoelectronic devices and catalytic processes, supported by a broad suite of characterization techniques including optical spectroscopy, NMR, electron microscopy, X‑ray scattering, and X‑ray diffraction. Through this integrated approach, we aim to reshape the vision for future functional nanomaterials. More details on specific research directions can be found in the Research section of the website.