Professor Eric Waclawik

Biography

I was awarded my PhD from Flinders University in the field of gas-phase molecular spectroscopy in 1997 (PhD. Supervisor – Prof. Warren D. Lawrance). I continued studies as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto in 1997, studying surface photochemistry with Prof. D. Jamie Donaldson and then in the field of high-resolution molecular spectroscopy (cavity microwave spectroscopy) at the University of Exeter with Prof. Anthony Legon, F.R.S. (1998 – 2000). In mid-2000, I returned to Australia, where I developed a laboratory course of Nanotechnology experiments at Flinders University as a Lecturer at Flinders University until 2003. In 2003 I joined the Queensland University of Technology, where I am now an Associate Professor of Physical Chemistry and lead a research program studying the controlled growth and deposition of inorganic semiconductor nanocrystals, quantum dots and their applications. My research bridges the fields of materials science, spectroscopy and photonics. I publish on these topics in collaboration with national and international experts based in universities and research institutes in China, Italy, Germany and the UK. I have published more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles during my career and have successfully supervised 24 HDR student completions since 2007, with three also receiving a “QUT outstanding thesis award” since 2014.

Research Interests – Quantum Dots, Semiconductor Nanocrystals, Plasmonic Nanostructures
I lead a research team investigating the shape-and-size controlled synthesis of inorganic semiconductor nanocrystals and quantum dots, principally by hydrothermal and microwave-based methods. The potential applications for these monodispere nanocrystals in the sphere of photonics and photocatalysis are truly enormous. Our interests focus on harnessing plasmonic metal nanoparticles and semiconductor nanocrystals for photocatalysis and nonlinear optics. We explore the influence of size, shape and inter-particle distances of plasmonic NPs on the field enhancement, effects of nanoparticle modification and analyse the transfer of energy during the photocatalysis and the photocatalytic reaction kinetics and mechanisms.

Areas of expertise

• Inorganic Semiconductor Nanocrystal Synthesis
• Metal Oxide Gas Sensors
• Quantum Dots
• Inorganic Semiconductor Nanostructures
• Carbon Nanotubes
• Spectroscopy

Selected grants

• Prof. H.-Y. Zhu, A. Prof E. R. Waclawik, Prof. Dr. J.-C. Gao “Optimising Catalyst Performance by Tuning Adsorption with Light” ARC Discovery Project DP200102652 (2020 – 2022) $446,000
• A. Prof. Eric R. Waclawik, Dr. K. C. Vernon, A. Prof. E. A. Jaatinen “UV Nano-Lights: Nonlinear Quantum Dot-Plasmon Coupling” US Air Force: The Asian Office Of Aerospace Research & Development FA2386-14-1-4056 (2014 - 2015) $150,486
• A. Prof. E. R. Waclawik, K. C. Vernon, E. A. Jaatinen “UV nanolights: Enhancing nonlinear emission from Quantum Dots through Plasmon Coupling” US Air Force: The Asian Office Of Aerospace Research & Development FA2386-13-14016 $45,000 (2013).
• Dr. E. R. Waclawik “Networked Solar Powered Nanosensors for Remote Area Surveying” Queensland International Fellowship. AU$25,700 (Funded 2010).
• Nunzio. Motta, John Bell, Eric R. Waclawik, Tuquabo Tesfamichael, Muthuraaman Bhagavathi, Michele Giulianini, Guido Faglia, Matteo Ferroni, Maurizio De Crescenzi, Aldo Di Carlo, Kerry Walsh, David Midmore, Sylvia Tulloch, Gavin Tulloch “Solar Powered Nanosensors for Data Acquisition and Sensing in Remote Areas” QLD Smart State Futures Program. National and International Research Alliances (NIRAP). AU$1.45 Million (2009-2012).
• Martin R. Johnston, Joseph G. Shapter, Eric R. Waclawik “Development of an Adjustable Porphyrin-based Molecular Platform for Nanotechnology Applications” ARC Discovery Project DP0557818 $210 000 (2005 - 2007)

Selected research projects

• UV nanolights: Enhancing Nonlinear Emission from Quantum Dots & Nanocrystals through Plasmon-Coupling
• Photocatalysis
• Applications, Synthesis and Characterisation of Titania Nanotubes.