Quantum Materials for Sustainable Solutions

Our research advances high-efficiency third-generation photovoltaic technologies through nanoengineering of colloidal quantum dots, low-dimensional, and hybrid nanostructures. By leveraging strategies such as core/shell interface engineering, band alignment optimization, and surface defect passivation, we suppress non-radiative recombination and enhance charge carrier dynamics.

We have demonstrated that incorporating controlled amounts of carbonaceous nanostructures into mesoporous TiO₂ photoanodes significantly improves power conversion efficiency and long-term stability — not through percolation effects, but by facilitating improved electron injection at the photoanode/front-contact interface. Further innovations include spray-assisted blocking layers, graphene as a low-cost transparent conducting alternative to FTO/ITO, and scalable single-step synthesis of Cu₂S cathodes with superior catalytic activity compared to noble metals.

We develop scalable, low-cost technologies for clean fuel and chemical production using advanced quantum materials and interfacial nanoengineering, aligned with Canada's Hydrogen Strategy. High-performance photoelectrodes and tandem photoelectrochemical–photovoltaic systems enable bias-free, solar-driven green hydrogen (H₂) generation through optimized charge separation and transport.

Our work on colloidal core/shell nanocrystals demonstrates precise control over electron–hole dynamics for enhanced solar energy conversion. Extending beyond hydrogen, we have pioneered a closed-loop nitrogen approach that captures N₂O emissions from agricultural waste streams and converts them into locally produced ammonia (NH₃) fertilizer, offering a sustainable pathway for circular agriculture. Additional innovations include radiation-resilient nanomaterials and nanoengineered solid-state electrolytes based on functionalized h-BN nanosheets.

Our team advances sustainable water treatment technologies by designing eco-friendly quantum dot–based nanohybrid photocatalysts. These multifunctional QD-nanostructured systems enable highly efficient degradation of toxic organic pollutants and industrial dyes under solar-driven conditions.

By engineering interfacial charge transfer, enhancing light absorption, and incorporating external stimuli such as magnetic or electric fields, these systems achieve complete pollutant removal (up to ~99.9%) with improved stability and recyclability. We are advancing these technologies by coupling pollutant degradation with clean energy generation (e.g., hydrogen production), offering scalable, low-cost, and environmentally benign solutions for next-generation water purification and environmental remediation.

We develop next-generation controlled-environment agriculture technologies based on eco-friendly quantum materials engineered into greenhouse roofs that selectively tune the quality and quantity of transmitted light within the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) region. This enables spectrum-controlled greenhouses to boost crop production while maintaining sustainability.

By coupling these systems with nanogenerators and energy-harvesting architectures, we aim to significantly reduce operational energy costs, enhance crop productivity, and enable sustainable, year-round cultivation. This has strong potential to reduce greenhouse carbon footprints, support off-grid and remote farming communities, and contribute to Canada's net-zero and food security goals.

We develop next-generation, crop-specific nanoengineered fertilizers using a novel template-assisted approach that valorizes agricultural and marine waste into high-performance nutrient-delivery systems. These nano-fertilizers provide controlled and targeted nutrient release, significantly improving nutrient-use efficiency while reducing fertilizer input and environmental losses.

Our approach promotes a circular economy by converting waste into value-added products, while enhancing soil health, farmer profitability, and long-term food security. The promising outcomes have attracted growing interest from industrial partners and non-profit organizations, opening new avenues for scalable and impactful nanofertilizer technologies.

We develop advanced anti-counterfeiting and smart food packaging technologies using luminescent nanomaterials derived from agricultural and marine waste. These materials exhibit strong, tunable fluorescence under UV or specific light excitation, enabling the creation of invisible, high-resolution codes (e.g., QR/barcodes) directly embedded into packaging systems.

Such nano-enabled security features provide robust solutions for product authentication, counterfeit prevention, and real-time tracking across the supply chain. In addition, these technologies support food quality and safety monitoring by enabling rapid, non-destructive inspection, enhancing consumer trust, reducing economic losses, and contributing to safer and more transparent food systems.