I am always interested in the real-world impact of chemistry. My research is aimed towards practical applications in fields of direct benefit for the future. I lead a team of highly motivated international PhD students in achieving our goal to make this world a better place through green technologies. We design and develop innovative methods and concepts in the field of nanomaterials, particularly in photocatalysis. Our current focus is the design of 3D nanomaterials and devices to improve light absorption, charge mobility and charge separation with the promise of greater efficiency of harvesting solar energy.

Very recently, we have started to develop photocatalytic epoxidation processes. This is based on firstly our innovation in immobilised nanoparticles and flow photoreactors; and secondly effective control of oxidation power (and reaction selectivity) mediated by selected radical intermediate species. With the immobilised photocatalysts, we have designed flow photoreactors which are coupled with in-situ FTIR and GCMS to monitor the reaction products automatically under different reaction conditions. This way, you can relax and read your papers while collecting the data – we aim to improve the efficiency of our students too. Wonderful!

We are always seeking the potential of commercialising our technology, because we believe that is the most exciting way to pay back society. There are many beautiful ideas in science; we pick the one that inspires us with ambition and hope for the future.

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Scientists have a responsibility, or at least I feel I have a responsibility,
to ensure what I do is for the benefit of the human race - Sir Harry Kroto

2016-Present Senior Lecturer of Physical Chemistry, University of Sussex

2007-2016 Lecturer of Physical Chemistry, University of Sussex

2003-2007 Department of Chemistry and London Centre for Nanotechnology,
University College London

1998-2003 School of Chemistry and IRC in Ultrafast Photonics, University of St. Andrews

1994-1998 IRC in Surface Science, Liverpool University of Liverpool

1990-1994 Chemistry Department, Fudan University

Emmanuel Kamba - PhD Student (started 2015)

My interest in the environment and its protection from pollution by volatile organic compounds motivated me to study my MSc in Environmental Chemistry at the University of Greenwich in 2008. I focused on detection, identification and quantification of these compounds. With growing interest in their conversion into more environmentally friendly substances I use photo-catalysis, a mild process which employs the utilization of light. With more photo-catalysts being synthesized and novel photo-reactor design, I believe we can save the environment and indeed, our beautiful planet earth.

Daniel Holt - PhD Student (started 2015)

My research involves engineering metal oxide nanostructures to harvest solar energy. I completed my MSci in 2015 at the University of Birmingham, Department of Physics. I first became interested in this field through building polymer solar cells during a study abroad year at the University of Hong Kong. My final year project to build a photonic topological insulator deepened my fascination with the interaction between light and matter.

Munirah Alhar - PhD Student (started 2015)

I am interested in nanotechnology and environmental chemistry and my current research involves water purification and oxidation of alcohols to aldehyde. I am seconded to the University of Sussex for my PhD from the Ha'il University in Saudi Arabia where I hold a lecturer position. I finished my MSc in organic chemistry at the King Saud University, Saudi Arabia in 2013.

Grant Brown - Summer Student (2017)

I am a second-year student at the university of Sussex who is interested in the reduction of chemical waste, alternate forms of energy and surface chemistry. I first became interested in surface chemistry after attending lectures by Dr Qiao Chen, and did my final project at the Sussex Downs College on the reduction of waste from industrial chemical processes. Currently, I am undertaking a summer project with PhD student Daniel Holt which involves the production of improved solar cells.

Gioia Rossini - Summer Student (2017)

I am a Chemistry student at Sussex. I'm working towards improving my lab and research skills, to prepare myself for future placements. My main areas of interest are material science and organic chemistry. I spend my free time exercising, playing video games and painting.

Celso Delatorre - Summer Student (2017)

My research involves the oxidation of selected alkenes to their respective epoxides. I am attempting to optimise the reactions to run under mild conditions, as current industry standards have these reactions running at extreme temperatures. Currently, I have finished the first year of my B.S. in Chemistry at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, and am researching here as part of an agreement between the University of Sussex and Drexel.

Joshua McGuckin - Summer Student (2017)

My name is Joshua McGuckin. I am currently a Biomedical Engineering student at Drexel University, in the United States. I was attracted to this research as it gave me the opportunity to harness and refine my engineering skills, with my aptitude for chemistry to help solve a global problem. Solar energy harvesting is an amazing field of research that covers many other disciplines of STEM and I am glad to be a part of it in Dr. Chen's lab. To be able to participate in this level of research just after my freshman year of college, is both humbling and staggering. I could not have thought of a better way to spend the summer.

Raman Mathur - Summer Student (2017)

I am a sophomore studying mechanical engineering at Drexel University, Philadelphia. My research interests are sustainability and biomimetics. At the NanoScience Lab I am involved with perovskite solar-cells, specifically their durability and architecture. The rate at which we rehabilitate our ecosystem is dishearteningly slow to me, and by way of my time at the lab I hope to contribute to the effort. Peace.

Dr Yuanxing Fang - PhD Graduate (started 2012)

I received my MChem degree at the University of Sussex in 2012. I am a Ph.D candidate in the University of Sussex’s Chemistry Department. My research interests include the synthesis and characterisation of novel nanostructured functional materials for energy related applications. This includes the development of enhanced photoelectrochemical cells, triboelectric nanogenerators and solar cells.

Dr Giacomo Edi Canciani - PhD Graduate (started 2012)

Having completed my MChem at the University of Sussex in 2012, I decided to pursue my passion for physical chemistry by working in Dr Qiao Chen’s nanogroup. My current research focus has been on the development of high surface area nanomaterials for the industrial purification of gas streams through photocatalysis. I have further pursued the optimisation of gas flow photooxidation procedures in order to successfully achieve rare and complex synthetic organic reactions.

Dr Thomas Draper - PhD Graduate (started 2012)

I completed my BSc in Chemistry at the University of Bristol in 2010, before going on to do my MSc in air-sensitive inorganic synthesis, also at the University of Bristol. I then moved to the University of Sussex, starting my PhD in 2012 jointly under Dr John Turner and Dr Qiao Chen. My research revolves around the inorganic/physical chemistry border. I have done investigations in small molecule activation, heterogeneous photocatalysis and have extensive experience in air-sensitive organometallic synthesis.