Speaker:
Prof. Dong Ha Kim, Professor at Ewha Womans University.
Tittle: Harnessing Chirality and Spin-Polarization for Sustainable Energy Conversion, Optoelectronics and Precision Nanomedicine
Time: 13:00 January 26th, 2026 (Monday)
Venue: Conference Room 6, Building No.5
Host: Prof. Zhiyong Tang and Prof. Huiqiong Zhou
Abstract:
The interplay between structural chirality and electronic spin, known as the Chirality-Induced Spin Selectivity (CISS) effect, has emerged as a transformative paradigm in materials science. This presentation highlights a series of pioneering studies that leverage chiral nanostructures to overcome fundamental limits in energy conversion, storage, and biomedical engineering.
In the realm of energy, we demonstrate how chiral electrocatalysts can manipulate electron spin to suppress the formation of deleterious intermediates, thereby enhancing the efficiency of acidic water electrolysis and ammonia electrooxidation. By integrating antenna-reactor plasmonic systems with chiral interfaces, we achieved spin-polarized charge transfer that significantly boosts hydrogen evolution reactions. Furthermore, the application of chirality extends to Li–O₂ batteries, where it effectively suppresses singlet oxygen generation, leading to dramatically extended cycle lives.
Beyond energy, the fundamental assembly of hierarchical chiral supramolecules is explored, revealing invertible chiroptical properties with record-breaking dissymmetry factors. These chiral platforms are further translated into the biomedical field. We introduce enzyme-like chiral plasmonic nanoparticles for optically tunable cancer therapy and photoinduced bioorthogonal cleavage reactions, enabling high-precision tumor targeting and minimized side effects.
Collectively, these findings underscore the "promise of chiral electrocatalysis" and nanostructure design as a universal strategy. By controlling the spin and orbital degrees of freedom, we provide a roadmap for the next generation of sustainable energy systems and advanced therapeutic platforms.
