Dr.K.Y.Chan |
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Dr.K.Y.Chan |
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Molecular and Electrochemical Phenomena at Liquid-Solid Interfaces
Interfacial phenomena related to materials and electrochemical technologies are studied by fundamental methods. Materials properties and behaviour can be modeled by statistical mechanics and computer simulation at the molecular level. Experimentally, the scanning probe microscope (STM/AFM) allows nanometer scale observation of surface reactions in a liquid environment.
1. Electrolytes in nanostructures
The confinement effect reduces the number of ions in a micropore and the counter ions concentration is not sufficient to balance the wall charges. This non-neutrality and behaviour of confined electrolytes is studied by Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations.
2. Hard sphere mixtures in the colloidal limit
When the solute molecule is many times larger than the solvent molecule and is in very low concentration, this is a colloid. When the solute is infinitely large and dilute, it becomes a solid surface. Theories, simulations, and the atomic force microscope(AFM) are used to study the solvation effects of a colloidal system.
3. Electrochemical Oxidation of Glucose
Some metal/metal oxide electrodes have high activity for oxidation of glucose and potential sensor and fuel cell applications. The reactions are studied by microelectrodes, HPLC and FTIR analyses. Electrode performance can be correlated to scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) characterization.
4. Aluminium anodization
Aluminium will form a uniform porous structure in some acids under an anodic current. The anodization is studied by electrochemical in-situ atomic force microscopy (AFM).
5. Porous Silicon
The formation of porous and photoluminecent silicon by electrochemical/chemical etching is an interesting and mysterious phenomenon. In-situ SPM and photo characterization of the etching process is attempted.
Selected Publications
1. W.Y. Lo and K.Y. Chan, Mol. Phys, 1995, 86, 745.
2. G.W. Wu and K.Y. Chan, Surface Science, 1996, 365, 38.
3. X. Zhang, K.Y. Chan, and A.C.C. Tseung, J. Electroanal. Chem., 1995,
386, 241.
4. T. Tang and K.Y. Chan, J. Electroanal. Chem., 1992, 344, 65.
5. D. Yau, S. Liem and K.Y. Chan, J. Chem. Phys., 1994, 101, 7918.
6. D. Yau, K.Y. Chan and D. henderson, Molecular Physics, 1997, 91,
1137.