Liu, Chong

Website | Home URL |
Division | Inorganic |
Title |
Faculty Assistant Professor Jeffery and Helo Zink Development Chair |
Specialties | Inorganic Chemical Biology Nanoscience and Materials Nanoscience |
Contact Information
Office | Molecular Sciences Building 2505C (310) 983-3984 |
Lab | Molecular Sciences Building 4211, 4221 |
Short Biography
Prof. Liu earned his B.S. in chemistry from Fudan University, China, in 2008, and a Ph. D in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley in 2013 under the supervision of Prof. Peidong Yang. His thesis focused on artificial photosynthesis that uses solar energy to synthesize selective chemicals. He continued his career at Harvard University, working with Prof. Daniel Nocera as a Lee Kuan Yew postdoctoral fellow. At Harvard, he developed inorganic/bio hybrid systems of solar-driven CO2 and N2 fixation with the efficiencies higher than natural counterparts. Prof. Liu joined UCLA Chemistry & Biochemistry in 2017.
Research Interests
Our research group is an inorganic chemistry lab with specific interests in electrochemical systems for energy, biology, and environments. Combining our expertise in inorganic chemistry, nanomaterials, and electrochemistry, we aim to address some of the challenging questions in catalysis, energy conversion, CO2/N2 fixation, and microbiota. The research focus includes advanced bioelectrochemical systems of CO2/N2 fixation as well as electrochemical nanodevices enabling the study of biological, medical, environmental applications.
Publications
[ Selected publications ]
Note: † equal contribution, * corresponding author
- “Electricity-Powered Artificial Root Nodule”, Lu, S.; Guan, X.; Liu, C.*, Nature Commun., 2020, 11, 1505. Link. Abstract
- “Close-packed nanowire-bacteria hybrids for efficient solar-driven CO2 fixation”, Su, Y.†; Cestellos-Blanco, S.†; Kim, J. M.†; Shen, Y.; Kong, Q.; Lu, D.; Liu, C.; Zhang, H.; Cao, Y.; Yang, P.*, Joule, 2020, Accepted. Link.
- “Cluster Size Control toward High Performance Solution Processed InGaZnO Thin Film Transistor”, Wang, Z.; Xu, G.; Zhao, Z.; Cai, L.; Wu, Q.; Cheng, P.; Zhao, Y.; Xue, J.; Wang, R.; Liu, C.*; Yang, Y.*, ACS Appl. Electron. Mater., 2019, 1, 2483−2488. link.
- “A solution catalytic cycle of incompatible steps for ambient air oxidation of methane to methanol”, Natinsky, B.; Lu, S.; Copeland, E.◊; Quintana, J.◊; Liu, C.*, ACS Cent. Sci., 2019, 5, 1584−1590. link. (Highlighted by ACS Cent. Sci.) Abstract
- “Nanowire photoelectrochemistry”, Deng, J.; Su, Y.; Liu, D.; Yang, P.*; Liu, B.*; Liu, C.*, Chem. Rev., 2019, 15, 9221−9259. link. Abstract
- “Perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion promotes the delivery of reducing equivalents for electricity-driven microbial CO2 reduction”, Rodrigues, R.; Guan, X.; Iñiguez, J.; Estabrook, D.; Chapman, J.◊; Huang, S.◊; Sletten, E.; Liu, C.*, Nature Catal., 2019, 2, 407−414. Link. Abstract
- “Two are better than one”, Natinsky, B.; Liu, C.*, Nature Chem. (News & Views), 2019, 11, 200−201. Link. Abstract
- “Modelling of Electrocatalytic Dinitrogen Reduction on Micro-structured Electrodes”, Lu, S.; Lee, D. H.◊; Liu, C.*, Small Methods, 2019, 3, 1800332. Link. Abstract
- “Boron-Doped Graphene Catalyzes Dinitrogen Fixation with Electricity”, Deng, J.; Liu, C.*, Chem (preview), 2018, 4, 1773-1774. Link. Abstract
- Solar-powered CO2 reduction by a hybrid biological | inorganic system”, Liu, C.; Colón, B. C.; Silver, P. A.*; Nocera, D. G.*; J. Photochem. Photobio. A, 2018, 358, 411−415, Link.Abstract
- “Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction at low temperature”, Deng, J.; Iniguez, J. A.; Liu, C.*; Joule, 2018, 2, 846−856, Link. Abstract
- “Physical Biology of the Materials-Microorganism Interface”, Sakimoto, K. K.; Kornienko, N.; Cestellos-Blanco, S.; Lim, J.; Liu, C.; Yang, P.*; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2018, 140, 1978−1985. Link Abstract
- “Favoring the unfavored: Selective electrochemical nitrogen fixation using a reticular chemistry approach”, Lee, H. K.; Koh, C. S. L.; Lee, Y. H.; Liu, C.; Phang, I. Y.; Han. X.; Tsung, C.-K.; Ling, X. Y.*; Science Advances, 2018, 4, eaar3208. Link
- “Excitation-wavelength-dependent small polaron trapping of photoexcited carriers in α-Fe2O3”, Carneiro, L. M.; Cushing, S. K.; Liu, C.; Su, Y.; Yang, P.; Alivisatos, A. P.; Leone, S. R.*; Nature Mater., 2017, 16, 819−825. Link
- “Ambient nitrogen reduction cycle using a hybrid inorganic-biological system”, Liu, C.†; Sakimoto, K. K.†; Colón, B. C.; Silver, P. A.*; Nocera, D. G.*; PNAS, 2017, 114, 6450−6455. Link
- “Design of template-stabilized active and earth-abundant oxygen evolution catalysts in acid”, Huynh, M.; Ozel, T.; Liu, C.; Lau, E. C.; Nocera, D. G.*; Chem. Sci., 2017, 8, 4779−4794. Link
- “13C-Labeling the Carbon-Fixation Pathway of a Highly Efficient Artificial Photosynthetic System”, Liu, C.; Nangle, S. N.; Colón, B. C.; Silver, P. A.*; Nocera, D. G.*; Faraday Discuss., 2017, 198, 529−537. Link
- “Directed Assembly of Nanoparticle Catalysts on Nanowire Photoelectrodes for Photoelectrochemical CO2 Reduction” Kong, Q.†; Kim, D.†; Liu, C.; Yu, Y.; Su, Y.; Li, Y.;Yang, P.*; Nano Lett., 2016, 16, 5675−5680. Link
- “Water splitting–biosynthetic system with CO2 reduction efficiencies exceeding photosynthesis” Liu, C.†; Colón, B. C.†; Ziesack, M.; Silver, P. A.*; Nocera, D. G.*; Science, 2016, 352, 1210−1213. Link
- “Single-nanowire photoelectrochemistry” Su, Y.†; Liu, C.†; Brittman S.; Tang, J.; Fu, A.; Kornienko, N.; Kong, Q.; Yang, P.*; Nature Nanotech., 2016, 11, 609−612. Link
- “Nanowire–Bacteria Hybrids for Unassisted Solar Carbon Dioxide Fixation to Value-Added Chemicals” Liu, C.†; Gallagher, J. J.†; Sakimoto, K. K.; Nichols, E. M.; Chang, C. J.*; Chang, M. C. Y.*; Yang, P.*; Nano Lett., 2015, 15, 3634−3639. Link
- “Hybrid bioinorganic approach to solar-to-chemical conversion” Nichols, E. M.†; Gallagher, J. J.†; Liu, C.; Su, Y.; Resasco, J.; Yu, Y.; Sun, Y.; Yang, P.*; Chang, M. C. Y.*; Chang, C. J.*; PNAS, 2015, 112, 11461−11466. Link
- “MoS2-wrapped silicon nanowires for photoelectrochemical water reduction”, Zhang, L.†; Liu, C.†; Wong, A. B.; Resasco, J.; Yang, P.*; Nano Res., 2015, 8, 281−287. Link
- “Nanowires for Photovoltaics and Artificial Photosynthesis”, Yang, P.*; Brittman, S.; Liu, C.; Semiconductor Nanowires, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2014, Chapter 6, p277 (Book chapter).
- “Introductory lecture: Systems materials engineering approach for solar-to-chemical conversion” Liu, C.; Yang, P.*; Faraday Discuss., 2014, 176, 9−16.(Perspective) Link
- “Three-Dimensional Spirals of Atomic Layered MoS2″ Zhang, L.; Liu, K.; Wong, A. B.; Kim, J.; Hong, X.; Liu, C.; Cao, T.; Louie, S. G.; Wang, F.*; Yang, P.*; Nano Lett., 2014, 14, 6418−6423. Link
- “Salt-Induced Self-Assembly of Bacteria on Nanowire Arrays” Sakimoto, K. K.; Liu, C.; Lim, J.; Yang, P.*; Nano Lett., 2014, 14, 5471−5476. Link
- “25th Anniversary Article: Semiconductor Nanowires – Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications” Dasgupta, N. P.; Sun, J.; Liu, C.; Brittman, S.; Andrews, S. C.; Lim, J.; Gao, H.; Yan, R.; Yang, P.*; Adv. Mater., 2014, 26, 2137−2184. (Review) Link
- “Simultaneously Efficient Light Absorption and Charge Separation in WO3/BiVO4 Core/Shell Nanowire Photoanode for Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation” Rao, P. M.; Cai, L.; Liu, C.; Cho, I. S.; Lee, C. H.; Weisse, J. M.; Yang, P.; Zheng, X.*; Nano Lett., 2014, 14, 1099−1105. Link
- “Semiconductor Nanowires for Artificial Photosynthesis” Liu, C.; Dasgupta, N. P.; Yang, P.*; Chem. Mater., 2014, 26, 415−422. (Review) Link
- “Electrodeposited Cobalt-Sulfide Catalyst for Electrochemical and Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Generation from Water” Sun, Y.†; Liu, C.†; Grauer, D. C.; Yano, J.; Long, J. R.*; Yang, P.*; Chang, C. J.*; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2013, 135, 17699−17702. Link
- “Femtosecond M2,3-Edge Spectroscopy of Transition-Metal Oxides: Photoinduced Oxidation State Change in α-Fe2O3” Vura-Weis, J.; Jiang, C.-M.; Liu, C.; Gao, H.; Lucas, J. M.; de Groot, F. M. F.; Yang, P.; Alivisatos, A. P.; Leone, S. R.*; J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2013, 4, 3667−3671. Link
- “Atomic Layer Deposition of Platinum Catalysts on Nanowire Surfaces for Photoelectrochemical Water Reduction” Dasgupta, N. P.†; Liu, C.†; Andrews, S.; Prinz, F. B.; Yang, P.*; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2013, 135, 12932−12935. Link
- “Large-Scale Synthesis of Transition-Metal-Doped TiO2 Nanowires with Controllable Overpotential” Liu, B.†; Chen, H. M.†; Liu, C.; Andrews, S. C.; Hahn, C.; Yang, P.*; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2013, 135, 9995−9998. Link
- “A Fully Integrated Nanosystem of Semiconductor Nanowires for Direct Solar Water Splitting” Liu, C.†; Tang, J.†; Chen, H. M.; Liu, B.; Yang, P.*; Nano Lett., 2013, 13, 2989−2992. Link
- “Alumina-coated Ag nanocrystal monolayers as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy platforms for the direct spectroscopic detection of water splitting reaction intermediates” Ling, X. Y.; Yan, R.; Lo, S.; Hoang, D. T.; Liu, C.; Fardy, M. A.; Khan, S. B.; Asiri, A. M.; Bawaked, S. M.; Yang, P.*; Nano Res., 2014, 7, 132−143. Link
- “Zn-Doped p-Type Gallium Phosphide Nanowire Photocathodes from a Surfactant-Free Solution Synthesis” Liu, C.; Sun. J.; Tang, J.; Yang, P.*; Nano Lett., 2012, 12, 5407−5411. Link
- “Plasmon-Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of Iron Oxide on Gold Nanopillars” Gao, H.†; Liu, C.†; Jeong, H. E.; Yang, P.*; ACS Nano, 2012, 6, 234−240. Link
- “Light-Induced Charge Transport within a Single Asymmetric Nanowire” Liu, C.†; Hwang, Y. J.†; Jeong, H. E.; Yang, P.*; Nano Lett, 2011, 11, 3755−3758. Link
- “Surfactant-Free, Large-Scale, Solution–Liquid–Solid Growth of Gallium Phosphide Nanowires and Their Use for Visible-Light-Driven Hydrogen Production from Water Reduction” Sun. J.; Liu, C.; Yang, P.*; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2011, 133, 19306−19309. Link
- “Multifunctional Mesoporous Composite Microspheres with Well-Designed Nanostructure: A Highly Integrated Catalyst System” Deng, Y.; Cai, Y.; Sun, Z.; Liu, J.; Liu, C.; Wei, J.; Li, W.; Liu, C.; Wang, Y.; Zhao, D.*; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2010, 132, 8466−8473. Link
- “Design of Amphiphilic ABC Triblock Copolymer for Templating Synthesis of Large-Pore Ordered Mesoporous Carbons with Tunable Pore Wall Thickness” Zhang, J.; Deng, Y.*; Wei, J.; Sun, Z.; Gu, D.; Bongard, H.; Liu, C.; Wu, H.; Tu, B.; Schüth, F.; Zhao, D.*; Chem. Mater., 2009, 21, 3996−4005. Link
- “Mesoporous Monocrystalline TiO2 and Its Solid-State Electrochemical Properties” Yue, W.; Xu, X.; Irvine, J. T. S.; Attidekou, P. S.; Liu, C.; He, H.; Zhao, D.; Zhou, W.*; Chem. Mater., 2009, 21, 2540−2546. Link
- “A simple approach to the synthesis of hollow microspheres with magnetite/silica hybrid walls” Liu, J.; Deng, Y.*; Liu, C.; Sun, Z.; Zhao, D.*; J. Colloid Interface Sci., 2009, 333, 329−334. Link
- “Synthesis of Core/Shell Colloidal Magnetic Zeolite Microspheres for the Immobilization of Trypsin” Deng, Y.; Deng, C.; Qi, D.; Liu, C.; Liu, J.; Zhang, X.; Zhao, D.; Adv. Mater., 2009, 21, 1377−1382. Link
- “Homopolymer induced phase evolution in mesoporous silica from evaporation induced self-assembly process” Liu, C.; Deng, Y.*; Liu, J.; Wu, H.; Zhao, D.; Micro. Meso. Mater., 2008, 116, 633−640. Link
- “Ultra-Large-Pore Mesoporous Carbons Templated from Poly(ethylene oxide)-b-Polystyrene Diblock Copolymer by Adding Polystyrene Homopolymer as a Pore Expander” Deng, Y.; Liu, J.; Liu, C.; Gu, D.; Sun, Z.; Wei, J.; Zhang, J.; Zhang, J.; Tu, B.; Zhao, D.*; Chem. Mater., 2008, 20, 7281−7286. Link
- “A novel approach to the construction of 3-D ordered macrostructures with polyhedral particles” Deng, Y.; Liu, C.; Liu, J.; Zhang, F.; Yu, T.; Zhang, F.; Gu, D.; Zhao, D.; J. Mater. Chem., 2008, 18, 408−415. Link
- “Thick wall mesoporous carbons with a large pore structure templated from a weakly hydrophobic PEO–PMMA diblock copolymer” Deng, Y.; Liu, C.; Gu, D.; Yu, T.; Tu, B.; Zhao, D.; J. Mater. Chem., 2008, 18, 91−97. Link
- “Facile Synthesis of Hierarchically Porous Carbons from Dual Colloidal Crystal/Block Copolymer Template Approach” Deng, Y.; Liu, C.; Yu, T.; Liu, F.; Zhang, F.; Wan, Y.; Zhang, L.; Wang, C.; Tu, B.; Webley, P. A.; Wang, H.; Zhao, D.*; Chem. Mater., 2007, 19, 3271−3277. Link
- “Ordered Mesoporous Silicas and Carbons with Large Accessible Pores Templated from Amphiphilic Diblock Copolymer Poly(ethylene oxide)-b-polystyrene” Deng, Y.; Yu, T.; Wan, Y.; Shi, Y.; Meng, Y.; Gu, D.; Zhang, L.; Huang, Y.; Liu, C.; Wu, X.; Zhao, D.; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2007, 129, 1690−1697. Link