Rongchao Jin

Professor, Chemistry

Education

1999–2003     Ph.D. Chemistry, Northwestern University

Research

Nanoscience, nanoparticles, synthesis, catalysis, optics

Projects

Nanoparticles: Small Wonders, Endless Frontiers

Our research focuses on fundamental science and engineering questions motivated by the creation of materials on the nanometer scale (1 nm=10^-9 m). Our research themes include the synthesis, characterization, and applications of nanoparticles (typically 1-100 nm in size). We are developing chemical methods for synthesizing well defined nanoparticles, including atomically precise nanoclusters, shape- and size-controlled nanocrystals, hybrid nano-architectures, and inorganic/polymer nanocomposites. In-depth characterizations of the physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles and self-assembled nanomaterials are carried out with microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, such as electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray crystallography, steady-state and ultrafast spectroscopies, etc. We also develop applications of nanoparticles in areas of catalysis, optics, chemo- and bio-sensing, and photovoltaics, etc.

Publications

Molecular “surgery” on a 23-gold-atom nanoparticle
Qi Li, Tian-Yi Luo, Michael G. Taylor, Shuxin Wang, Xiaofan Zhu, Yongbo Song, Giannis Mpourmpakis, Nathaniel L. Rosi, Rongchao Jin, Science Advances, 2017, 3 (5) DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1603193

Shuttling single metal atom into and out of a metal nanoparticle
Wang, S., Abroshan, H., Liu, C., Luo, T.-Y., Zhu, M., Kim, H.J., Rosi, N.L., Jin, R. Nature Communications, 2017, 8 (1), art. no. 848,

Emergence of hierarchical structural complexities in nanoparticles and their assembly
Zeng, C.; Chen, Y.; Kirschbaum, K.; Lambright, K. J.; Jin, R. Science 2016, 354, 1580–1584.

Highly Efficient Three-Component Coupling Reaction Catalysed by Atomically Precise Ligand-Protected Au₃₈(SC₂H₄Ph)₂₄ Nanoclusters
Li, Q.; Das, A.; Wang, S.; Chen, Y.; Jin, R. Chem. Commun. 2016, 52, 14298–14301.

(Invited review) Atomically Precise Colloidal Metal Nanoclusters and Nanoparticles: Fundamentals and Opportunities
Jin, R.; Zeng, C.; Zhou, M.; Chen, Y. Chem. Rev. 2016, 116, 10346–10413.

Evolution from the Plasmon to Exciton State in Ligand-Protected Atomically Precise Gold Nanoparticles
Zhou, M.; Zeng, C.; Chen, Y.; Zhao, S.; Sfeir, M. Y.; Zhu, M; Jin, R. Nature Communications 2016, 7, 13240.

Atomic Structure of Self-Assembled Monolayer of Thiolates on a Tetragonal Au₉₂ Nanocrystal
Zeng, C.; Liu, C.; Chen, Y.; Rosi, N. L.; Jin, R. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, 138, 8710–8713. (Featured in JACS Spotlights)

Ultrasmall Palladium Nanoclusters as Effective Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Zhao, S.; Zhang, H.; House, S. D.; Jin, R.; Yang, J.; Jin, R. ChemElectroChem 2016, 3, 1225–1229.

Controlling the Atomic Structure of Au₃₀ Nanoclusters by a Ligand-Based Strategy
Higaki, T.; Liu, C.; Zeng, C.; Jin, R.; Chen, Y.; Rosi, N. L.; Jin, R. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 6694–6697.

Heavily doped Au_25–xAg_x(SC₆H₁₁)₁₈^– nanoclusters: silver goes from the core to the surface
Li, Q.; Wang, S.; Kirschbaum, K.; Lambright, K.; Das, A.; Jin, R. Chem. Commun. 2016, 52, 5194–5197.

Effects of single atom doping on the ultrafast electron dynamics of M₁Au₂₄(SR)₁₈ (M = Pd, Pt) nanoclusters
Zhou, M.; Qian, H.; Sfeir, M. Y.; Nobusada, K.; Jin, R. Nanoscale 2016, 8, 7163– 7171.

Gold Quantum Boxes: On the Periodicities and the Quantum Confinement in the Au₂₈, Au₃₆, Au₄₄ and Au₅₂ Magic Series
Zeng, C.; Chen, Y.; Iida, K.; Nobusada, K.; Kirschbaum, K.; Lambright, K.; Jin, R. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, 138, 3950–3953. (Featured in JACS Spotlights)

Appointments

Years	Position
2015–present	Professor of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University
2012–2015	Associate Professor of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University
2006–2012	Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University
2003–2006	Research Associate, James Franck Institute at the University of Chicago

Awards and Distinctions

Years	Award
2021	NSF Creativity Award
2014, 2015, 2016	Thomson-Reuters Most Cited Faculty
2015	International Precious Metals Institute (IPMI) Advisor Award
2013	Asian Rising Star Award, Federation of Asian Chemical Societies
2011	International Precious Metals Institute Student Advisor Award
2011	Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award