Research focus is on quantum properties of molecular nanostructures and the exploitation of such properties for formulating new nanomaterials with uses in molecular photonic devices (MPDs) and/or chemical sensors.  In our studies, small groupings of molecules (principally, so-called molecular aggregates) serve as the active agents.  For MPDs the same types of photonic/optoelectronic applications as systems derived from epitaxially prepared inorganic semiconductor superlattices or conjugated organic polymers are anticipated.  For chemical sensor applications, our aim is to form robust and highly manipulable new nanomaterials with unique spectral properties for chemical sensing purposes.

Research conducted involve: (1) spectroscopic and dynamical investigations of spontaneous and nonlinear laser Raman scattering by monomeric and aggregated molecules on metallic, semiconductor, vesicle surfaces and encapsulated within mesoporous materials; (2) syntheses of semiconductor and magnetic oxide nanoparticles and nanorods within mesoporous aluminosilicates and silicates; (3) fabrication of carbon nanotubes within various matrices; (4) excited state dynamics and determination of photophysical parameters for cyanine dyes and donor-acceptor systems that involve electron-transfer reactions; (5) Raman investigations of porphyrins in solution or adsorbed onto surfaces; (6) spectroscopic studies of biological tissues and herbs; and (7) quantum chemical calculations of porphyrins and dye molecules.