Make Every
Photon Count!
All Are Welcome!
Our Research
In Dr. Lyu's lab at UNC Asheville, our goal is to understand the fundamental mechanisms behind artificial photosynthesis and design better catalytic systems for converting solar energy to high-value chemicals. Specifically, we are interested in emerging affordable metallic nanoparticles (such as non-noble transition metals like Fe, Co, Ni, or semi-metals like Bi) for sustainable photocatalysis, starting from the solid-state physical interpretations of the metals (like band structure) and chemical kinetic analysis of model reactions for mechanistic study.
Photon
Wavelength-dependent study for mechanism
Nanoparticles
Catalysis
Size and shape matter!
Noble to Non-noble NPs
Thermodynamics &
Kinetics Evaluation
Our Value
Research Topics
Research interests:
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Synthesis of various metallic (or alloy) nanoparticles with uniform size and shape.
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Exploring novel photocatalytic mechanisms by metallic nanoparticles, especially interband transitions.
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Developing a better fundamental understanding of reaction mechanisms at the interface.
Latest Publication
Deciphering the Photocatalysis Mechanism of Semimetallic Bismuth Nanoparticles @ J. Phys. Chem. C (Selected as Supplemental Cover)
Highlights:
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The photocatalyzed nitrophenol reduction with sodium borohydride serves as a model reaction, and a wavelength-dependent study reveals the contribution of hot carriers.
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The observed photocatalysis enhancement accounts for the unique band structure with an extremely small band gap and exclusive interband absorption in the visible region.
Pin Lyu
Mailing address:
Dr. Pin Lyu
Zeis Hall 106, CPO #2010
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
University of North Carolina, Asheville
One University Heights,
Asheville, NC, United States 28804