Combating Cancer with Eutectic Alloy Nanoparticles 

Change in surface morphology and nanomechanical properties of eutectic Gallium Indium (EGaIn) liquid metal nanoparticles are examined as a function of temperature.  Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is used not only to monitor the resulting topographical changes but also to characterize material properties such as stiffness of the surface oxide layer. EGaIn nanoparticles are further fabricated to serve as a potent nanocarrier for targeted drug delivery device. A new EGaIn nanoplatform is developed by coating the EGaIn nanoparticles with targeting ligand and Photosensitizers (PS), light-activatable chemicals that are used for Photodynamic Therapy.(PDT). exp in the knowledge of interfacial region near and at the surface of these liquid metal nanoparticles will offer a fertile ground for future development of new materials as cancer therapeutic agents.

Examining Nanoparticle Structure with Raman Spectroscopy

Implications in Photocatalysis 

Dye-pretreated anatase TiO2 films, commonly used as photoanodes in dye-sensitized solar cells, were utilized as a model system to investigate the laser-induced anatase to rutile phase transformation (ART), using N719 dye, N749 dye, D149 dye, and MC540 dye as photosensitizers. The visible lasers (532 and 785 nm) used for Raman spectroscopy were able to transform pure anatase into rutile at the laser spot when excitation of the dye sensitizer caused an electron injection from the excited state of the dye molecule into the conduction band of TiO2. The three dyes with carboxylic acid anchor groups (N719, N749, and D149 dyes) experienced ART upon dye excitation. A TiO2 calibration curve and percent rutile contour plots developed for this project are able to quantify the amount of rutile created at the surface of the samples. These improved chemical images which map rutile concentration help to visualize how ART propagates from the center of the laser spot to the surroundings. Factors such as visible-light absorption and anchor groups that covalently bind to the semiconductor play a key role in effective laser-induced ART.

Probing Nanoparticle Powders to Explore Surface Chemistry and Reactivity 

Implications in Heterogenous Catalysis 

Traditionally, the reactivity of nanoparticles has been associated with their increased surface area, but as these studies attest, there are specific reactive sites on these substrates that are driving the increased reactivity of these materials. The assessment of the surface chemistry of hydroxyl sites, inherent on the nanoparticle surface, is a measure towards understanding the true nature of nanoparticle reactivity. Aspects of the nanoparticle surface due to its defect chemistry are partially distinguished by the static traditional studies. However, chemical intricacies of the samples truest form under real conditions are not satisfied by using this traditional methodology.