Functional Oxide team

Functional  Materials

The Functional Materials team research on piezo and ferroelectric functionalities to develop novel electronics, sensors and actuators for clean energy application

Development of Epitaxial/ Nanostructures Functional Materials

We fabricate epitaxial films and nanostructures functional materials (ferroelectric, piezoelectric, functional perovskites) to explore their physical properties (electrical, mechanical, optical quality) and charge transport across the interface which are applicable to the fields such as energy & environment, sensors and future electronics.

Figure: Functional materials fabricated in various formed.

Ferro-/ Piezoelectric & Optoelectronics for Sensors and Future Electronics 

We study ferro-/piezoelectric effect and its functionality across interface by manipulating the structure and physical properties. We focus on semiconductor hetero- and nano-structures system such as GaN-based and oxide-based (BiFeO3, SRO, STO, LSMO, ZnO etc). We use piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM), Kelvin probe force microscopy (PKPFM), conductive atomic force microscopy (CAFM), Radiant ferroelectric tester, solar simulator etc for characterizations.

Figure: Piezo-photoronic effect in GaN-based materials for new generation of optomechanical sensors/ actuators.

Photoconversion Application: Photoelectrochemical (PEC) Water Splitting

We explore photoactivities, photocatalytic efficiency and charge dynamic across solid-liquid interface in hetero- and nanostructure system, in particularly the effect of ferroelectric polarization in electrolytic water splitting.

Figure: Charge transport and optical response of hetero- and nanostructrues for photoactivity in PEC water splitting.







 

Dr Wei Sea Chang

Dr Chang heads the Functional Oxide team at Monash University Malaysia. She received her Ph.D. from National University of Singapore. She is now the Senior Lecturer in Monash University Malaysia. Her research focuses on complex oxides and GaN-based semiconductors for clean energy through ferro-/piezo-/optoelectronics and photoconversion applications. She has extensive experience in the use of scanning probe microscopy to understand material properties at the micro- and nanoscale level. She serves as an Associate Editor in the Journal of American Ceramic Society

Current GRS



 

Mr Ming-Wei Chu (Edward)

Edward Chu received his Master degree of Mechanical Engineering from Ming Chi University of Technology, Taiwan in 2019. He joined Monash Universty Malaysia in April 2021is currently a PhD candidate in Monash University Malaysia. His research  focuses on the nanoscale and lead-free ferroelectric devices via pulsed laser deposition.

 

Mr Chin Chyi Loo

Chin Chyi received his Master degree of Condensed Matter Physics from University of Cologne, Germany in 2019. He is currently a PhD candidate in Monash University Malaysia. His research interests include nanoscale characterization of the optoelectronics, piezoelectronic, and electrical properties of GaN-based semiconductors using advanced modes of atomic force microscopy (AFM).

 

Mr Tan Kah Hui

Kah Hui received his B. Sc (Hons) in Physics from University of Malaya (UM) in 2018. He worked as a Research Assistant in the field of nanoscale electronic devices before joining Monash University Malaysia in 2019 to pursue a Ph.D. His current research focuses on the solid-electrolyte interaction of nanoscale and lead-free ferroelectric devices.

 

Mr Carvyn Blaise

Carvyn completed his B.Eng Tech. (Hons) in Electronics in 2016 from Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM). He worked as a Research Assistant in Monash University Malaysia, researching in the field of piezomaterials before pursuing his Ph.D. in Monash. His current research focuses on the nanoscale electronic characterization of multiferroic bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) ceramic and its application in light-driven energy harvesting.

Alumni

 

Mr Abdulhakeem Adefioye

Abdulhakeem pursued his Master with Monash University Malaysia in 2018. He was awarded his Master degree in February 2021 where he has contributed to the understanding of the bismuth doping and electrolytes on the photoconversion and photostability of ZnO nanorods.

 

Dr Fang Sheng Lim

Fang Sheng completed his PhD degree in May 2020. He fabricated bimetallic Au-Ag nanoparticles and used advanced modes of atomic force microscopy (AFM) to study the charge transport of the bimetallic nanoparticles for photoconversion application under visible light. He joined Bruker Nano Surfaces Metrology in 2020 as a Design Verification Test (DVT) Engineer.

 

Dr Kok Hong Tan

Kok Hong completed his PhD degree in December 2018. His research focuses on the oxide-based visible light photoelectrochemical water splitting, focusing on the nanodimensional and heterojunction interface design of photocatalysts. He is currently a Staff Silicon Engineer at Silicon R&D Engineering, SunPower Malaysia

Selected Publications

  • W. S. Chang, H.-J. Liu, V. T. Tra, J.-W. Chen, T.-C. Wei, W.-Y. Tzeng, Y. M. Zhu, H.-H. Kuo, Y.-H. Hsieh, J.-C. Lin, Q. Zhan, C.-W. Luo, J.-Y. Lin, J.-H. He, C.-L. Wu, Y.-H. Chu, “Tuning electronic transport in a self-assembled nanocomposite”, ACS Nano, 8, p. 6242 (2014)
  • K. K. Rajan, M. Shanthi, W. S. Chang, J. Jin, L. C. Lim, “Dielectric and Piezoelectric Properties of [001] and [011]-poled Relaxor Ferroelectric PZN-PT and PMN-PT Single Crystals”, Sens. Actuators A Phys., 133, p.110 (2007)
  • K. H. Tan, F. S. Lim, C. F. Dee, B. Yeop Majlis, S.-P. Chai, W. S. Chang, “Tunable spectrum selectivity for multiphoton absorption with enhanced visible light trapping in ZnO nanorods”, Small, 14, p.1704053 (2018)
  • Y.-L. Huang, W. S. Chang, C. N. Van, H.-J. Liu, K.-A. Tsai, J.-W. Chen, H.-H. Kuo, W.-Y. Tzeng, Y.-C. Chen, C.-L. Wu, C.-W. Luo, Y.-J. Hsu, Y.-H. Chu “Tunable photoelectrochemical performance of Au/BiFeO3 heterostructure”, Nanoscale, 8, p.15795 (2016)
  • N. V. Chien, W. S. Chang, J.-W. Chen, K.-A. Tsa, W.-Y. Tzeng, Y.-C. Lin, H.-H. Kuo, H.-J. Liu, K.-D. Chang, W.-C. Chou, C.-L. We, Y.-C. Chen, C.-W. Luo, Y.-J. Hsu, Y.-H. Chu, “Heteroepitaxial approach to explore charge dynamics across Au/BiVO4 interface for photoactivity enhancement”, Nano Energy, 15, p.625 (2015)

Recent Publications

  • C. C. Loo, S. S. Ng and W. S. Chang, “Photostrictive behaviour as the piezo-phototronics effect in InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells”, Nano Energy, 86, p.106085 (2021)
  • C.-S. Chen, C.-S. Tu, W. S. Chang, Y. H. Huang, P.-Y. Chen, Y.-T Lee. “Improved polarization switching and piezoresponse in Nd and Mn co-doped BiFeO3 ceramics”, Materials Science & Engineering B, 269, p.115180 (2021)
  • C.-S. Chen, P.-Y. Chen, W. S. Chang, C. Blaise, Y.-L. Hsieh, R. R. Chien, V. Hugo Schmidt, Y.-S. Jou, C.-S Tu, “Evolution of domain structure and ferroelectric polarization in praseodymium doped BiFeO3 ceramics“, Materials Research Bulletin, 133, p.111054 (2021)
  • H. Wang, K. H. Tan, Y. Zhang, X. Er, W. S. Chang, F. Wan, Q. Zhan, “Atomic-scale domain mediation in Nd-doped BiFeO3 Film“, ACS Applied Electronic Materials, 2, p.4127 (2020)
  • F. S. Lim, S. T. Tan, Y. Zhu, J-W. Chen, B. Wu, H. Yu, J.-M. Kim, R. T. Ginting, K. S. Lau, C. H. Chia, H. Wu, M. Gu, W. S. Chang, “Tunable plasmon-induced charge transport and photon absorption of bimetallic Au-Ag nanoparticles on ZnO photoanode for photoelectrochemical enhancement under visible light”, Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 124, p.14105 (2020)
  • Mitchell K. T. Chee, C.-C. Er, J.-Y. Tang, L.-L. Tan, W. S. Chang, S.-P. Chai, “Tuning the electronic band structure of graphitic carbon nitride by breaking intramolecular bonds: A simple and effective approach for enhances photocatalytic hydrogen production“, Applied Surface Science, 529, p.146600 (2020)
  • F. M. Ruiz, J. Anthoniappen, C.-S. Tu, P.-Y. Chen, C.-S. Chen, S.-F. Wang, W. S. Chang, “Role of O 2p-Ti 3d orbital hybridization in dielectric and ferroelectric properties of barium zirconate titanate ceramics” Materials Research Bulletin, 129, p.110905 (2020)
  • K. E. Ng, P. C. Ooi, M. A. S. M. Haniff, B. T. Goh, C. F. Dee, W. S. Chang, M. F. Mohd Razip Wee, M. A. Mohamed, “Performance of All-Solution-Processed, Durable 2D MoS2 flakes−BaTiO3 nanoparticles in polyvinylidene fluoride matrix nanogenerator devices using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone polar solvent”, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 820,153160 (2020)
  • C.-S. Tu, P.-Y. Chen, W. S. Chang, W.-H. Wu, C. Blaise, Y-S. Jou, “Local piezoresponse in BiFeO3-HoFeO3 ceramics across morphotropic phase boundary” Materials Research Bulletin, 121, p.110626 (2020)
  • L. K. Putri, B-.J-. Ng, C.-C Er, W.-J. Ong, W.S. Chang, A. R. Mohamed, S.-P. Chai, “Insights on the impact of doping levels in oxygen-doped gC3N4 and its effects on photocatalytic activity”, Applied Surface Science, 504, p.144427 (2020)
  • L. K. Putri, B-.J-. Ng, W.-J. Ong, H. W. Lee, W.S. Chang, A. R. Mohamed, S.-P. Chai, “Energy level tuning of CdSe colloidal quantum dots in ternary 0D-2D-2D CdSe QD/B-rGO/)-gC3N4 as photocatalysts for enhanced hydrogen generation” Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 265, p.118592 (2020)
  • C.-S. Tu, P.-Y. Chen, C.-S. Chen, W. S. Chang, R. R. Chien, K.-C. Feng, Y-S. Jou, V. Hugo Schmidt, “Enhancement of local piezoresponse in samarium and manganese co-doped bismuth ferrite ceramics“, Journal of Alloys and Compounds ,815, p.152383 (2020)
  • K. H. Tan, Y.-W. Chen, C. N. Van, H. Wang, J-W. Chen, F. S. Lim, K.-H. Chew, Q. Zhan, C. L. Wu, S.-P. Chai, Y.-H. Chu, W. S. Chang, “Energy band gap modulation in Nd-doped BiFeO3/SrRuO3 heteroepitaxial for visible light photoelectrochemical activity”, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 11, p.1655-1664 (2019)
  • J. Anthoniappen, W. S. Chang, F. M. Ruiz, C.-S. Tu, C. T. Blaise, P.-Y. Chen, C.-S. Chen, H. Mana-ay, “Electric field and temperature induced local polarization switching and piezoeresponse in Bi0.88Sm0.12FeO3 ceramics for nanoscale applications”, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 790, p.587-596 (2019)
  • K.-C. Feng, P.-Y. Chen, C.-S. Tu, C.-S. Chen, R. R. Chien, C.-C. Chiang, W. S. Chang, “Ag diffusion inhibition and enhanced flexural strength in low temperature co-fired CaO-Al2O3-B2O3-SiO2 glasses” Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 782, p.1094-1102 (2019)
  • S. L. Lam, S. X. Chin, S. T. Tan, F. S. Lim, W. S. Chang, C. C. Yap, M. H. H. Jumah, S. Zakaria, S. W. Chook, C. C. Hua,”Silver nanowires as flexible transparent electrode: Role of PVP chain length”, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 803, p.165-171 (2019)

https://changresearchgroup.wordpress.com/

PhD positions are available on the following topics:

1. Study the piezoeffect in GaN-based semiconductors for sensors, optoelectronics & photoconversion applications

2. Oxide lead-free ferroelectric for memory & photoconversion application

Interested candidates may send their CV to Dr Wei Sea Chang (chang.wei.sea@monash.edu)

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