1. Single-molecule Chemistry

We develop scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), non-contact atomic force microscopy (AFM) and tip-enhance Raman spectroscopy (TERS) to investige and
control the electronic, geometric and vibrational properties of single molecules.

Representative studies:
1. The joint STM-AFM-TERS method.
Science 371, 818 (2021)
2. Bond-selective control of single molecules
Science 309, 1542 (2005); Nature 409, 304 (2001)
3. Controlling the electroic properties of single molecules
Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 146803 (2007); PNAS 106, 15259 (2009);
Nature Communications, 11, 2566 (2020)

2. Low-dimensional Materials

We use molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), pulse laser deposition (PLD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods to epitaxially grow low-dimensional materials
of stanene (Sn), Bismuth (Bi), graphene and graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), and investigate their quantum properties by using STM and ARPES.

Representative studies:
1. Discovery of the topological band inversion in ultraflat Sn films.
Nature Materials, 17, 1081-1086 (2018)
2. Surface Landau levels and spin states in bismuth (111) ultrathin films
Nature Communications, 7, 10814 (2016); Nano Lett. 20, 2157 (2020)
3. Novel electronic properties in graphene and GNRs.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 226802 (2014); Nano Lett., 18, 6710-6718 (2018);
Nano Lett., 18, 386-394 (2018)

3. Oxides' Surfaces and Interfaces

The transition metal oxides hold versatile physical and chemical properties from catalysis to superconductivity, which have attracted considerable research
interests for many years. However, the geometric and eletronic properties of oxides are still elusive.

Representative studies:
1. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) surface: epitaxial growth, structure and defects.
Nature Communications, 4, 2214 (2013)
2. Catalysis and photocatalysis on TiO2
JACS 142, 826 (2020); JACS 134, 9978 (2012);
JACS 133, 2002 (2011); JACS, 132, 7958 (2009)
3. The electroic properties of oxides
Nano Lett. 21, 430 (2021); Nano Lett. 20, 8067 (2020)