INTRODUCTION
Dr. He joined Eastern Illinois University in 2013 and was promoted to a full Professor in 2022. He is a five-time recipient of the EIU’s Achievement and Contribution Award in research. Dr. He served as an Associate Editor for RSC Advances from 2016 to 2021 and is a regular reviewer for numerous scientific journals. He successfully organized three symposia for the Materials Research Society in 2013, 2014, and 2016.
Dr. He leads a dynamic and diverse research group, actively engaged in developing novel photoactive materials with applications spanning near-infrared emission for medical diagnosis, photocatalytic C-C and C-N coupling, and solar energy conversion. His research endeavors have garnered support from the National Science Foundation, the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund, the Eastern Illinois University President Research Fund and Creativity, and the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation.
Dr. He welcomes any students who are interested in chemistry to carry out research in his lab. If you have an interest, please reach out to Dr. He.
My EIU Story
Having previously worked in several other institutions, I found my way here in 2013. Life at EIU is vibrant, dynamic, and refreshing. It is an excellent workplace. The school provides all the necessary resources to conduct research that my students and I aspire to undertake.
Over the years, I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to work with numerous talented undergraduate and graduate students. Many of them moved to other institutions to pursue advanced degrees including PharmD, MD, and PhD. Seeing them grow and start to make their contributions to society is extremely rewarding and satisfying.
Education & Training
- Ph.D. (1996), Inorganic Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University
- M.Sc. (1993), Organometallic Chemistry, Lanzhou University
- B.Sc. (1990), Chemistry, Lanzhou University
- Research Assistant Professor, South Dakota State University (2007-2013)
- Postdoctoral Research Associate, North Dakota State University (2002 -2007)
- Visiting Scholar, Hong Kong Baptist University, 2001 -2002
Publications
A complete list of publications can be found here
- Kukoyi, A., He, H., Wheeler, K., Quinoline-functionalized BODIPY dyes: structural and photophysical properties, J. Photochem. Photobio. A Chem. 2022, 425, 113686. Link
- Li, W., He, Y., Miao, T., Lv, X.*, Fu, G.*, Wong, W-Y.*, He, H.* All-solution-processed multilayered white polymer -light-emitting diodes (WPLEDs) based on cross-linked [Ir(4-vb-PBI)2(acac), ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2021, 13 (9), 11096-11107 Link
- Balasooriya, D., Liu, B., He, H.*, Sykes, A., May, P. S. A conjugated porphyrin as a red-light sensitizer for near-infrared emission of ytterbium (III) ion, New J. Chem., 2020, 44, 18756 – 18762 Link
- He, Y., Li, W., Fu, G., Wang, B., Miao, T., Tan, M., Feng, W., Lv, X.*, He, H.* Efficient and exclusively NIR-emitting (lamda = 780 nm) [Ir(C^N)2(O^O)]-heteroleptic complexes with b-diketonate- or pyrazolonate-typed O^O-chelate ancillary. J. Lum., 2020, 220, 116983 Link
- Fu, G., He, Y., Li, W., Miao, T., Lv, X.*, He, H., Liu, L., Wong, W.-Y.* Efficient white polymer light-emitting diodes (WPLEDs) based on covalent-grafting of [Zn2(MP)3(OAc)] into PVK. Chem. Sci.em>, 2020, 11, 2640-2646 Link
- Liu, J., Li, W., Wang, B., Tan, M., He, Y., Miao, T., Lv, X.*, Fu, G., He, H.* Ternary complexes [Sm(acac)3(5-Br-2,2'-bpy)] for the solution-processed white polymer light-emitting diodes (WPLED), Opt. Mater., 2020, 107, 109936 PDF
- Fu, G., Liu, L., Li, W., He, Y., Miao, T., Lv, X.*, He, H.* Efficient white polymer light-emitting diode (WPLED) based on single-component Eu3+-Tb3+-containing metallopolymer. Adv. Opt. Mater. 2019, 7, 1900776 Link
- Dissanayake, K., Ebukuyo, P., Dhahir, Y., Wheeler, K., He, H.* A BODIPY-functionalized PdII photoredox catalysts for Sonogashira C-C cross-coupling reactions. Chem. Commun., 2019, 55, 4973- 4976 Link
- Kukoyi, A., Micheli, E., Liu, B., He, H.*, May, P. S. BODIPY functionalized 1,10-phenanthrolines as long-wavelength sensitizers for near-infrared emission of ytterbium (III) ion, Dalton Trans. 2019, 48, 13880-13887 Link
- Fu, G., He, Y., Li, W., Wang, B., Lv, X.*, He, H.*, Wong, W-Y.* Efficient polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) based on chiral [Pt(C^N)(N^O)] complexes with near-infrared luminescence and circularly polarize (CP) light. J. Mater. Chem. C, 2019, 7, 13743 – 13747 Link
Research & Creative Interests
Our primary research focus in the lab revolves around near-infrared (NIR) emitting lanthanide materials, specifically tailored for medical and optical applications. Using a molecular engineering approach, we strive to create novel lanthanide complexes that can efficiently absorb red light excitation and produce NIR emission. To achieve this, we utilize porphyrin and BODIPY dyes as foundational elements to construct stable and functionalized complexes.
Our second research theme focuses on the design, synthesis, and evaluation of photoredox catalysts for enhanced chemical conversion efficiency. We are particularly interested in developing "two-in-one" catalysts, integrating organic chromophores into conventional catalysts to facilitate intramolecular electron or energy transfer processes. Our investigations have revealed that BODIPY-functionalized transition metal complex catalyzed C-C and C-N cross-couplings efficiently upon exposure to visible light.
The third theme within our research group is the exploration of broadband light-harvesting materials for cost-effective solar energy utilization. Through our studies, we have identified 8-hydroxyquinoline as an exceptional anchoring group in dye-sensitized solar cells. Our overarching objective is to engineer stable and efficient electrodes using carefully designed broadband light absorbers, with the ultimate aim of advancing solar water splitting technologies.
For details, please visit our Research Group Website.
Funding & Grants
Photoactive Nickel Complexes for Catalytic C-N Coupling. 2023-09 to 2026-08 | Grant, American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund (DC, DC, US) (DC, US), $70,000
2022 Jean Dreyfus Lectureship for Undergraduate Institutions. 2023-01 to 2026-01 | Award, Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation (New York, New York, US), $18,500
RUI: Near-infrared Emitting Lanthanide Complexes and Their Metallopolymers, 2015-09-01 to 2018-08-31 | Grant, National Science Foundation - Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences (Arlington, US), $267,973
BODIPY-Pd Complexes for Photocatalytic C-C Coupling Reactions. 2014 to 2018 | Grant. American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund (DC, DC, US),$70,000
Frequently Taught Courses
- CHM1040G The World of Chemistry (Undergraduate course)
- CHM1310G General Chemistry I (Undergraduate course)
- CHM139 (General Chemistry I, Honors (Undergraduate course)
- CHM1315G General Chemistry I Lab (Undergraduate course)
- CHM1395 (General Chemistry Laboratory I, Honors (Undergraduate course)
- CHM1410G General Chemistry II (Undergraduate course)
- CHM1415G General Chemistry II Lab (Undergraduate course)
- CHM2310 Inorganic Chemistry I (Undergraduate course)
- CHM3000/3001/4000/4001/5000/5001 Chemistry Seminar
- CHM3025G The Chemistry in Your Life ((Undergraduate course)
- CHM4900 Inorganic Chemistry II (Undergraduate course)
- CHM3500/5002 Introduction to Chemical Research (Undergraduate/Graduate course)
- CHM44001 Undergraduate Research (Undergraduate course)
- CHM4905 Advanced Labs (undergraudate course)
- CHM5003 (Critical Reading of Chemical Literature (graduate course)
- CHM 5007 Energy Chemistry (Graduate course)
- CHM58901/2 Graduate Research (Graduate Course)