Shuit-Tong Lee

Bio: Shuit-Tong Lee is an academic researcher from Soochow University (Suzhou). The author has contributed to research in topics: Silicon & Nanowire. The author has an hindex of 138, co-authored 1121 publications receiving 77112 citations. Previous affiliations of Shuit-Tong Lee include University of British Columbia & Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes in biomedical imaging

Abstract: This article reviews the latest developments in using single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) for biomedical imaging. SWNTs with a number of unique intrinsic optical properties have been widely used as contrast agents in Raman imaging, near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging and photoacoustic imaging in vitro and in vivo. More imaging functionalities including positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can be achieved by either utilizing external labels or the metal impurities of nanotube samples. Although there is still a long way to go before SWNTs are ready for clinical use, they are promising nanomaterials with great potential in multimodality biomedical imaging.

White-electrophosphorescence devices based on rhenium complexes

Abstract: Efficient white emission from the mixing of yellow emission from the Re-complexes, (4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine)Re(CO)3Cl (Dmbpy-Re), and blue emission from the N,N′-di-1-naphthyl-N, N′-diphenylbenzidine (NPB) is reported. NPB is used as the hole-transporting layer. 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline is used as the exciton-blocking as well as electron-transporting layer. Dmbpy-Re is doped into the host material (4,4′-N-N′-dicarbazole)biphenyl (CBP). The chromaticity of the white emission can be tuned by adjusting the thickness of Dmbpy-Re:CBP layer or the concentration of Dmbpy-Re in CBP. The maximum luminance, efficiency, and Commission Internationale De L’Eclairage coordinates at 9 V of the devices with 20-nm-thick and 30-nm-thick Dmbpy-Re:CBP layer at a fixed Dmbpy-Re doping concentration of 2 wt % in CBP are 1332 cd/m2, 2.9 cd/A, and (0.30,0.37), and 2410 cd/m2, 5.1 cd/A, and (0.36,0.43), respectively. The turn-on voltage of these devices is ∼4 V.

Germanium–graphene composite anode for high-energy lithium batteries with long cycle life

Abstract: The high-energy lithium ion battery is an ideal power source for electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage applications. Germanium is a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries due to its high specific capacity, but still suffers from poor cyclability. Here, we report a facile preparation of a germanium–graphene nanocomposite using a low-pressure thermal evaporation approach, by which crystalline germanium particles are uniformly deposited on graphene surfaces or embedded into graphene sheets. The nanocomposite exhibits a high Coulombic efficiency of 80.4% in the first cycle and a capacity retention of 84.9% after 400 full cycles in a half cell, along with high utilization of germanium in the composite and high rate capability. These outstanding properties are attributed to the monodisperse distribution of high-quality germanium particles in a flexible graphene framework. This preparation approach can be extended to other active elements that can be easily evaporated (e.g., sulfur, phosphorus) for the preparation of graphene-based composites for lithium ion battery applications.

A roadmap for graphene

Abstract: Recent years have witnessed many breakthroughs in research on graphene (the first two-dimensional atomic crystal) as well as a significant advance in the mass production of this material. This one-atom-thick fabric of carbon uniquely combines extreme mechanical strength, exceptionally high electronic and thermal conductivities, impermeability to gases, as well as many other supreme properties, all of which make it highly attractive for numerous applications. Here we review recent progress in graphene research and in the development of production methods, and critically analyse the feasibility of various graphene applications.

High-performance lithium battery anodes using silicon nanowires

Abstract: There is great interest in developing rechargeable lithium batteries with higher energy capacity and longer cycle life for applications in portable electronic devices, electric vehicles and implantable medical devices. Silicon is an attractive anode material for lithium batteries because it has a low discharge potential and the highest known theoretical charge capacity (4,200 mAh g(-1); ref. 2). Although this is more than ten times higher than existing graphite anodes and much larger than various nitride and oxide materials, silicon anodes have limited applications because silicon's volume changes by 400% upon insertion and extraction of lithium which results in pulverization and capacity fading. Here, we show that silicon nanowire battery electrodes circumvent these issues as they can accommodate large strain without pulverization, provide good electronic contact and conduction, and display short lithium insertion distances. We achieved the theoretical charge capacity for silicon anodes and maintained a discharge capacity close to 75% of this maximum, with little fading during cycling.

Nanobelts of Semiconducting Oxides

Abstract: Ultralong beltlike (or ribbonlike) nanostructures (so-called nanobelts) were successfully synthesized for semiconducting oxides of zinc, tin, indium, cadmium, and gallium by simply evaporating the desired commercial metal oxide powders at high temperatures. The as-synthesized oxide nanobelts are pure, structurally uniform, and single crystalline, and most of them are free from defects and dislocations. They have a rectanglelike cross section with typical widths of 30 to 300 nanometers, width-to-thickness ratios of 5 to 10, and lengths of up to a few millimeters. The beltlike morphology appears to be a distinctive and common structural characteristic for the family of semiconducting oxides with cations of different valence states and materials of distinct crystallographic structures. The nanobelts could be an ideal system for fully understanding dimensionally confined transport phenomena in functional oxides and building functional devices along individual nanobelts.

Raman spectroscopy as a versatile tool for studying the properties of graphene

Abstract: Raman spectroscopy is an integral part of graphene research. It is used to determine the number and orientation of layers, the quality and types of edge, and the effects of perturbations, such as electric and magnetic fields, strain, doping, disorder and functional groups. This, in turn, provides insight into all sp(2)-bonded carbon allotropes, because graphene is their fundamental building block. Here we review the state of the art, future directions and open questions in Raman spectroscopy of graphene. We describe essential physical processes whose importance has only recently been recognized, such as the various types of resonance at play, and the role of quantum interference. We update all basic concepts and notations, and propose a terminology that is able to describe any result in literature. We finally highlight the potential of Raman spectroscopy for layered materials other than graphene.

Aggregation-Induced Emission: Together We Shine, United We Soar!

Abstract: Ju Mei,†,‡,∥ Nelson L. C. Leung,†,‡,∥ Ryan T. K. Kwok,†,‡ Jacky W. Y. Lam,†,‡ and Ben Zhong Tang*,†,‡,§ †HKUST-Shenzhen Research Institute, Hi-Tech Park, Nanshan, Shenzhen 518057, China ‡Department of Chemistry, HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study, Institute of Molecular Functional Materials, Division of Biomedical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China Guangdong Innovative Research Team, SCUT-HKUST Joint Research Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China