Single-Molecule Fluorescence Imaging of Nanocatalysis

Single-molecule fluorescence microscopy (SMFM) has been considered as a powerful tool to study nanocatalysis of single nanoparticles, due to its single-molecule sensitivity and high spatiotemporal resolution. In this review, we discuss recent progresses on investigating nanocatalysis at single-molecule/particle level by using SMFM. The discussion focuses on the applications of single-molecule methods in probing the chemocatalysis, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis. Finally, we provide our opinions on limitations and prospects of the single-molecule fluorescence approach for investigating nanocatalysis. What is the most favorite and original chemistry developed in your research group Our most favorite chemistry is the single-molecule nanocatalysis of the energy process. How do you get into this specific field? Could you please share some experiences with our readers? I got into this field firstly in 2007 as a postdoctoral in Prof. Peng Chen's lab at Cornell University. Due to the structural heterogeneity of nanoparticles, the structure-activity relationship of nanocatalysts is challenging to characterize precisely in ensemble-averaged measurements. At that time, the single-molecule approach has been adopted extensively in biological field. Prof. Peng Chen wanted to extend such technique to the field of nanocatalysis, so what I first achieved in his lab was the first kinetic study of single-molecule nanocatalysis of individual nanoparticles to reveal new catalytic properties at the single-particle level with real- time single-turnover resolution, including the heterogeneous reactivity and selectivity of individual nanoparticles. At present, single-molecule fluorescence microscopy (SMFM) has been applied to investigate all kinds of nanocatalysis, such as electrocatalysis, photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis, etc. While our group mainly focuses on the application of SMFM in energy process-related basic research. What is the most important personality for scientific research? Enthusiasm, independent-thinking, concentration and desire for knowledge. What are your hobbies? What's your favorite book(s)? Hiking, reading and listening to music at leisure time. I like Green Miles. Could you please give us some advices on improving Chinese Journal of Chemistry? Maybe you can pay more attention to young researchers.