04/01/2026
By Kwok Fan Chow

The Kennedy College of Science, Department of Chemistry, invites you to attend a Ph.D. Research Proposal defense by JiHyeon Cha entitled “Structure-Composition Effects in Multimetallic Nanoparticles for Electrocatalysis.”

Date: Friday, April 17, 2026
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Olney Hall, Room 518

Committee:

  • Advisor: Michael B. Ross, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • James E. Whitten, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Marina Ruths, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Kwok-Fan Chow, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Abstract:
The controlled synthesis of multimetallic nanostructures with defined composition and architecture remains a key objective in catalysis. In this work, we synthesize Au–Sn bimetallic and Au-Ag/Ag-Au core–shell nanoparticles with controlled Sn content and shell thickness. Structural analysis shows that shell thickness governs Sn diffusion and alloy formation, with distinct behavior for Au and Ag. Future work will explore these multimetallic nanoparticles as model systems to probe structure–composition effects on electrocatalysis, along with hollow and porous high-entropy alloys.

All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend.