People - Faculty - Guozhong Cao

Guozhong Cao
Professor of Materials Science and Engineering

Education:
Ph.D., Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands, 1991

Research Interests:
Current research is focused mainly on processing, characterization, and applications of nanostructured intercalation compounds, organic-inorganic hybrids, carbon cryogel – hydride composites, dielectrics, ferroelectrics, piezoelectrics, scintillation oxides, and various coatings. Processing techniques include sol-gel processing, hydrothermal growth, electrochemical and electrophoretic deposition, and self-assembly. The research emphasis is to achieve novel properties for various applications through control of micro and nanostructure, and atomic engineering of materials through processing and composition design. In general, our current research can be grouped into following directions:

• Growth of nanorod, nanotube, and nanocable arrays by various solution methods
• Dielectrics, ferroelectrics, and piezoelectrics and devices
• Organic-inorganic hybrids for sensing, filtration, corrosion protection, and surface modification
• Microstructure-engineered oxide scintillation films
• Superhydrophobic films
• Electrochemical batteries and supercapacitors
• Dye-sensitized nanostructured solar cells
• Coherent carbon cryogel, hydride, and oxide nanocomposites for hydrogen storage
• Carbon cryogels for low pressure methane storage

Selected Publications:
B. Russo and G.Z. Cao, "Synthesis and Characterization of FTO Films and Nanorod Arrays by Intermittent Sol Spray Pyrolysis," Applied Physics A90, 311-315 (2008).

G.Z. Cao and D.W. Liu, "Template-based Synthesis of Nanorod and Nanowire Arrays," (Review Article), Advances in Colloid and Interface Science 136, 45-64 (2008).

D.W. Liu, Q.F. Zhang, P. Xiao, B.B. Garcia, Q. Guo, R. Champion, and G.Z. Cao, "Hydrous Manganese Oxides Nanowall Electrodes for Enhanced Lithium Ion Intercalation," Chemistry of Materials 20, 1376-1380 (2008).

Q.F. Zhang, T.P. Chou, B. Russo, G.E. Fryxell, S.A. Jenekhe, and G.Z. Cao, "High Conversion Efficiency in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells through Controlled Aggregation of ZnO Nanocrystallites," Angewandte Chemie International Edition 47, 2402-2406 (2008).