SURFACE SCIENCE ·NANOFABRICATION

Our research group at the Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, explores surface science from molecules to two-dimensional materials. We focus on atomically precise synthesis and atomic-scale characterization of novel low-dimensional nanostructures.

High-precision single-molecule fabrication of stable junctions and circuits.
AI-driven platforms for intelligent manipulation and synthesis.
Single-molecule functional units and prototype devices for intelligent computing.

High-throughput preparation of surface nanostructures

High-throughput sample preparations are expected to significantly expedite the process of materials exploration and screening. It enables the discovery and characterization of functional materials with specific desired properties in a considerably shorter timeframe. The integration of advanced characterization techniques (e.g., scanning probe microscopy) with in-situ high-throughput sample preparation allows for the rapid evaluation of a vast array of low-dimensional structures. We develop high-throughput techniques for fabricating surface nanostructures under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions. These techniques are specifically designed to be compatible with UHV chambers and SPM characterization methods. The primary advantage of this development is to facilitate the formation of composition-spread sample libraries on a single substrate. This enables us to systematically investigate the diversity of surface nanostructures, focusing on variations in their coverage and stoichiometry across multiple components. Such a methodological advancement allows for a comprehensive exploration of the physicochemical properties of these nanostructures, contributing significantly to the field of surface science and nanomaterials.

ACS Nano 2023, 17, 20, 20194–20202.

ACS Nano 2022, 16, 8, 13160–13167.

Automation of molecular imaging, recognition and manipulation

Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) offers unparalleled opportunities for imaging, detecting, and manipulating objects at the atomic scale. However, this technique demands considerable expertise from researchers, with operations that are often labor-intensive and time-consuming. Moreover, data analysis in SPM can be subjective and prone to errors. Machine learning (ML) emerges as a transformative paradigm within materials science. ML has been instrumental in addressing a broad spectrum of scientific and technological challenges, including those in SPM. By integrating ML, the efficiency and accuracy of SPM in data interpretation and operational processes can been significant improvements. We aim to advancing the frontier of molecular imaging, recognition, and manipulation by synergistically combining artificial intelligence. Our primary objective is to enable the autonomous operation of SPM systems. We focus particularly on achieving unprecedented precision in molecular manipulation, a crucial aspect in surface science and nanomaterials. The success of this endeavor could mark a paradigm shift from traditional human-directed experimentation to an autonomous framework. This transition not only promises to streamline experimental procedures but also aims to significantly enhance both the controllability and accuracy of these processes. Consequently, this development could unlock new possibilities for scientific exploration and discovery at the nanoscale, presenting profound implications for the future of materials science research.

ACS Nano 2023, 17, 17, 17545–17553.

Click to watch our latest project demonstration video.

On-surface synthesis and photochemistry

On-surface synthesis targets extended nanostructures by covalent coupling of organic molecules on surfaces. The most common way to induce various reactions of precursor molecules on the surface is thermal treatment, which will however increase the possibility of forming side reactions and defective structures, thus limiting wider applications of on-surface synthesis. In contrast to the thermally triggered chemistry, photochemistry provides an alternative way to activate molecules. Light has been demonstrated to break certain covalent bonds in a less constructive but more selective and controllable fashion. Moreover, several parameters of lights can be tuned to change the reaction scenarios such as by changing the light intensity to control the reaction dynamics, by using different light wavelengths and laser polarizations to trigger specific chemical reactions. The potential of photo-induced chemistry in surface science has been widely recognized, yet its exploration remains relatively underdeveloped. Our research aims to delve into the capabilities of photochemical processes to induce on-surface chemical reactions, hoping to promote new chemistry and the realization of novel nanostructures and nanomaterials. Particular emphasis will be placed on elucidating these mechanisms, employing both theoretical and experimental methodologies, to advance our understanding of photochemistry on surfaces.

Data mining and property prediction of low-dimensional structures

In recent years, machine learning (ML) has achieved significant progress in the design, synthesis, and property predictions of molecules and materials. One of our research topics aim to harness these ML techniques for data mining, property prediction, and the inverse design of low-dimensional materials, such as monolayer and few-layer structures. As a typical example, we tried to predict the self-assembled structures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on metal surfaces using ML. This was achieved using advanced algorithms of graph neural network, which is able to abstract all the relevant information necessary for characterizing the molecules/materials. We anticipate that the application of ML to these low-dimensional materials, which can be precisely fabricated through surface science methods, will significantly accelerate the screening and design of molecules. This acceleration is poised to have a profound impact on the fabrication of nanostructures and nanomaterials, enabling the development of materials with tailored properties for specific applications in electronics, photonics, and energy storage.

ACS Nano 2023, 17, 17, 17545–17553.

J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2023, 14, 13, 3193–3198.

Chemical Physics Letters 2023, 814, 140358.

Applying Computer Vision in analyzing molecular images

With the advent of high-resolution imaging techniques like Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), we now routinely acquire molecular images of exceptional clarity and detail. However, the interpretation of these images often still relies on labor-intensive manual analysis by researchers, which can be subjective and lacks standardized criteria. In response, machine learning has emerged as a groundbreaking tool in material science research. It facilitates efficient and automatic analysis and processing of complex data sets. Our objective in this area is to leverage computer vision methods to evaluate, process, interpret, and even generate image data. The application of computer vision promises significant improvements in the analysis of surface nanostructures at the molecular level. It offers advantages in terms of efficiency and standardization over traditional manual methods, which are often time-consuming and inconsistent. This approach could revolutionize our understanding of molecular interactions and surface phenomena, although challenges such as algorithmic development and data integration remain. Case studies, such as automated recognition of molecules in scanning-probe-microscopy images, underscore the transformative potential of integrating machine learning with high-resolution molecular imaging in material science.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, 61(49), e202213503.

Molecules 2023, 28, 5387.

课题组研究目标研究目标与发展方向+

1. Construct artificial intelligence-driven intelligent manipulation and synthesis platforms. This involves building systems that integrate artificial intelligence for real-time sensing, autonomous decision-making, and precise control of nanoscale operations.

2. Developing high-precision methodologies for materials construction at the single-molecule level. This focuses on robust techniques for fabricating stable junctions and circuits using individual molecules.

3. Realize single-molecule functional units and prototype device demonstrations. This refers to the successful implementation of molecular building blocks into working models, such as prototype molecular memories, switches or logic gates and advanced units for intelligent computing.

致力于培养具有“重基础、跨学科、国际化”的材料基因特色人才。

202610 篇 · 查看论文+

Tip-Induced Structural Transitions in a Buckybowl Molecular Assembly

J. Phys. Chem. Lett. (2026) 17 (31): 9054-9060

Quan Yang, Zhiwen Zhu, Juan Xiang, Tairan Yang, Qi Huang, Xinyi Zhang, Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c02127DOI 链接 ↗

Achieving selective photochemistry on a metal surface by tuning the aromatic core

J. Chem. Phys. 165, 054306 (2026)

Qi Huang, Hao Jiang, Zhipeng Xiang, Tairan Yang, Zhiwen Zhu, Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1063/5.0345302DOI 链接 ↗

A dual-mode large language model assistant for on-surface reactions via fine-tuning and retrieval-augmented generation

Chem. Sci. (2026) 17 (22): 11114–11126.

Juan Xiang, Qi Huang, Xinyi Zhang, Tairan Yang, Zhiwen Zhu, Chanyu Li, Liangliang Cai and Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1039/D6SC01168CDOI 链接 ↗

Tunable Electronic Honeycomb and (Breathing) Kagome Lattices Through Molecular Orbital Design in 2D Metal-Organic Frameworks

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2026, e4470567

Jiayi Lu, Yikai Chen, Xinyi Zhang, Zhiwen Zhu, Fengru Zheng, Liangliang Cai, Wei Jiang*, Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1002/anie.4470567DOI 链接 ↗

Computer vision for efficient object detection and segmentation in molecular image analysis

J. Mater. Inf. 2026, 6, 17.

Shaoxuan Yuan, Zhiwen Zhu, Jiayi Lu, Liangliang Cai*,Qiang Sun

DOI: 10.20517/jmi.2025.78DOI 链接 ↗

A low-cost automated platform for fast and accurate pH control via physics-informed active learning

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2026, Advance Article

Quan Yang, Zhipeng Xiang, Zhiwen Zhu, Tairan Yang,Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1039/D6CP00154HDOI 链接 ↗

Coordination preference of pyridine-based ligands on Ag(111)

Chem. Commun., 2026, 62, 5720-5724

Chanyu Li, Jiayi Lu, Juan Xiang, Fengru Zheng,Qi Huang, Hao Jiang, Yizhang Li, Liangliang Cai* and Qiang Sun

DOI: 10.1039/D5CC06600JDOI 链接 ↗

Deep learning drives autonomous molecular reactions with single-bond selectivity in tetra-brominated porphyrins on Au(111)

Nature Communications, 2026,17, 2348

Zhiwen Zhu, Qi Huang, Tairan Yang, Hao Jiang, Shaoxuan Yuan, Juan Xiang, Liangliang Cai, Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-69080-1DOI 链接 ↗

Disorder−order transition of two-dimensional molecular networks by selenium doping

Chin. Chem. Lett. 2026, 37, 111874

Liangliang Cai*, Xinyi Zhang, Jiayi Lu, Juan Xiang, Qiang Sun, Andrew T. S. Wee*

DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111874DOI 链接 ↗

Surface nanostructures regulated by chalcogen bonding interactions

Nanoscale Horiz. 2026, 11, 133-141

Xinyi Zhang, Qiang Sun, Liangliang Cai*, Andrew T. S. wee*

DOI: 10.1039/D5NH00463BDOI 链接 ↗

20256 篇 · 查看论文+

Tailoring π-d Magnetic Interactions in Metallated Porphyrin Nanotapes

Angew Chem. Int Ed 2025, 64, e15342

Roberto Robles, Shayan Edalatmanesh, Qiang Sun, Pascal Ruffieux, Roman Fasel, Luis M. Mateo, Giovanni Bottari, Tomás Torres, Nicolás Lorente

DOI: 10.1002/anie.202515342DOI 链接 ↗

Constructing High-Entropy Molecular Networks on Metal Surfaces

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2025, 147, 37, 33597–33606

Jiayi Lu, Xinyi Zhang, Damian Nieckarz, Shaoxuan Yuan, Chanyu Li, Wojciech Rżysko, Yizhang Li, Paweł Szabelski*, Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c08377DOI 链接 ↗

Self-Driving Laboratory for Accelerated On-Surface Synthesis under Ultrahigh Vacuum

Nano Lett. 2025, 25, 30, 11609–11617

Yizhang Li, Qi Huang, Tairan Yang, Zhiwen Zhu, Shaoxuan Yuan, Quan Yang, Xinyi Zhang, Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c02445DOI 链接 ↗

Exploring Selective Photochemistry on Metal Surfaces through Wavelength-Dependent Light Excitation

Nano Lett. 2025, 25, 24, 9597–9604

Hao Jiang, Zhiwen Zhu, Xinyi Zhang, Shaoxuan Yuan, Kai Guo, Jie Li, Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c01168DOI 链接 ↗

Local large language model-assisted literature mining for on-surface reactions

MGE Advances.2025,3,1,e88

Juan Xiang, Yizhang Li, Xinyi Zhang, Yu He, Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1002/mgea.88DOI 链接 ↗

Preparing sub-monolayer metals with continuous coverage spread for high-throughput growth of metal-organic frameworks

Chin. Chem. Lett. 2025, 36, 3, 110394

Jiayi Lu , Yizhang Li , Hao Jiang , Zhiwen Zhu , Fengru Zheng , Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110394DOI 链接 ↗

20247 篇 · 查看论文+

Autonomous Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Imaging via Deep Learning

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 42, 29199–29206

Zhiwen Zhu, Shaoxuan Yuan, Quan Yang, Hao Jiang, Fengru Zheng, Jiayi Lu, Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c11674DOI 链接 ↗

Constructing Molecular Networks on Metal Surfaces through Tellurium-Based Chalcogen-Organic Interaction

ACS Nano 2024, 18, 41, 28425–28432

Fengru Zheng, Qi Huang, Juan Xiang, Zhiwen Zhu, Jiayi Lu, Jinyang Xu, Zhaofeng Liang, Lei Xie, Fei Song, Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c11344DOI 链接 ↗

Kinetics of On-Surface Dechlorinated Aryl–Aryl Coupling

J. Phys. Chem. C 2024, 128, 30, 12754–12761

Yu He, Hao Jiang, Zhiwen Zhu, Juan Xiang, Jinyang Xu, Zhaofeng Liang, Lei Xie*, Fei Song*, and Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c04144DOI 链接 ↗

Recent progress on surface chemistry II: Property and characterization

Chin. Chem. Lett. 2024, 110100

DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110100DOI 链接 ↗

On-surface photo-induced dechlorination

Chin. Chem. Lett. 2024, 109807

Yu He, Hao Jiang, Shaoxuan Yuan, Jiayi Lu, Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109807DOI 链接 ↗

Automated Generation and Analysis of Molecular Images Using Generative Artificial Intelligence Models

J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2024, 15, 7, 1985–1992

Zhiwen Zhu, Jiayi Lu, Shaoxuan Yuan, Yu He, Fengru Zheng, Hao Jiang, Yuyi Yan, and Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c03504DOI 链接 ↗

Unraveling the Mechanisms of On-Surface Photoinduced Reaction with Polarized Light Excitations

ACS Nano 2024, 18, 1, 1118–1125

Hao Jiang, Yu He, Jiayi Lu, Fengru Zheng, Zhiwen Zhu, Yuyi Yan, and Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c10690DOI 链接 ↗

20237 篇 · 查看论文+

Order–Disorder Transition of Two-Dimensional Molecular Networks through a Stoichiometric Design

ACS Nano 2023, 17, 20, 20194–20202

Jiayi Lu, Damian Nieckarz , Hao Jiang , Zhiwen Zhu , Yuyi Yan , Fengru Zheng , Wojciech Rżysko , Jakub Lisiecki , Paweł Szabelski* , and Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c05945DOI 链接 ↗

Predicting Molecular Self-Assembly on Metal Surfaces Using Graph Neural Networks Based on Experimental Data Sets

ACS Nano 2023, 17, 17, 17545–17553

Fengru Zheng, Jiayi Lu, Zhiwen Zhu, Hao Jiang, Yuyi Yan, Yu He, Shaoxuan Yuan, and Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c06405DOI 链接 ↗

Applying a Deep-Learning-Based Keypoint Detection in Analyzing Surface Nanostructures

Molecules 2023, 28, 5387.

Shaoxuan Yuan, Zhiwen Zhu, Jiayi Lu, Fengru Zheng, Hao Jiang and Qiang Sun *

DOI: 10.3390/molecules28145387DOI 链接 ↗

Steering on-surface polymerization through coordination with a bidentate ligand

Chem. Commun. 2023, 59, 8067-8070

Hao Jiang, Jiayi Lu, Fengru Zheng, Zhiwen Zhu, Yuyi Yan, Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1039/D3CC00167ADOI 链接 ↗

On-Surface Synthesis of a Carbon Nanoribbon Composed of 4–5–6–8-Membered Rings

ACS Nano 2023, 17, 9, 8717–8722

Faming Kang, Luye Sun, Wenze Gao, Qiang Sun, and Wei Xu*

DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c01915DOI 链接 ↗

Triangle Counting Rule: An Approach to Forecast the Magnetic Properties of Benzenoid Polycyclic Hydrocarbons

J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2023, 14, 13, 3193–3198

Yuyi Yan, Fengru Zheng, Boyu Qie, Jiayi Lu, Hao Jiang, Zhiwen Zhu, and Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c00570DOI 链接 ↗

Predicting the HOMO-LUMO gap of benzenoid polycyclic hydrocarbons via interpretable machine learning

Chemical Physics Letters 2023, 814, 140358.

Fengru Zheng, Zhiwen Zhu, Jiayi Lu, Yuyi Yan, Hao Jiang, Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2023.140358DOI 链接 ↗

20228 篇 · 查看论文+

A Deep-Learning Framework for the Automated Recognition of Molecules in Scanning-Probe-Microscopy Images

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, 61(49), e202213503 supporting information.pdf

Zhiwen Zhu, Jiayi Lu, Fengru Zheng,Cheng Chen, Yang Lv, Hao Jiang, Yuyi Yan, Akimitsu Narita, Klaus Müllen, Xiao-Ye Wang, Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1002/anie.202213503DOI 链接 ↗

Heteroatom-Edged Triangulene: Facile Synthesis and Two-Dimensional On-Surface Self-Assemblies

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, 61(47), e202212594

Cheng Chen, Jiayi Lu, Yang Lv, Yuyi Yan, Qiang Sun*,Akimitsu Narita, Klaus Müllen*, and Xiao-Ye Wang*

DOI: 10.1002/anie.202212594DOI 链接 ↗

On-surface synthesis of ethers through dehydrative coupling of hydroxymethyl substituents

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2022, 24, 22122-22128.

Yuyi Yan, Fengru Zheng, Zhiwen Zhu, Jiayi Lu, Hao Jiang, Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1039/D2CP03073JDOI 链接 ↗

High-Throughput Preparation of Supramolecular Nanostructures on Metal Surfaces

ACS Nano 2022, 16, 8, 13160–13167.

Jiayi Lu, Hao Jiang, Yuyi Yan, Zhiwen Zhu, Fengru Zheng, and Qiang Sun*

DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c06294DOI 链接 ↗

Growth Optimization and Device Integration of Narrow-Bandgap Graphene Nanoribbons

Small 2022, 18 (31), 2202301.

Gabriela Borin Barin,* Qiang Sun, Marco Di Giovannantonio, Cheng-Zhuo Du, Xiao-Ye Wang, Juan Pablo Llinas, Zafer Mutlu, Yuxuan Lin, Jan Wilhelm, Jan Overbeck, Colin Daniels, Michael Lamparski, Hafeesudeen Sahabudeen, Mickael L. Perrin, José I. Urgel, Shantanu Mishra, Amogh Kinikar, Roland Widmer, Samuel Stolz, Max Bommert, Carlo Pignedoli, Xinliang Feng, Michel Calame, Klaus Müllen, Akimitsu Narita, Vincent Meunier, Jeffrey Bokor, Roman Fasel, and Pascal Ruffieux*

DOI: 10.1002/smll.202202301DOI 链接 ↗

Molecular heterostructure by fusing graphene nanoribbons of different lengths through a pentagon ring junction

Nano. Res. 2022, 15 (9): 8465-8469.

Qiang Sun*, Hao Jiang, Yuyi Yan, Roman Fasel, and Pascal Ruffieux*

DOI: 10.1007/s12274-022-4410-7DOI 链接 ↗

Lattice-Directed Selective Synthesis of Acetylenic and Diacetylenic Organometallic Polyynes

Chem. Mater. 2022, 34, 4, 1770–1777.

Xin Yu, Qiang Sun, Mengxi Liu, Wan Du, Yi Liu, Liangliang Cai, Zeqi Zha, Jinliang Pan, Faming Kang, Wenze Gao, Dandan Yang, Xiaohui Qiu*, and Wei Xu*

DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.1c04015DOI 链接 ↗

Magnetic Interplay between π-Electrons of Open-Shell Porphyrins and d-Electrons of Their Central Transition Metal Ions

Adv. Sci. 2022, 9, 2105906.

Qiang Sun, Luis M. Mateo, Roberto Robles, Pascal Ruffieux, Giovanni Bottari*, Tomás Torres*, Roman Fasel*, and Nicolás Lorente*

DOI: 10.1002/advs.202105906DOI 链接 ↗

20214 篇 · 查看论文+

Lightwave-driven scanning tunnelling spectroscopy of atomically precise graphene nanoribbons

Nat. Commun. 2021, 12, 6794.

S. E. Ammerman, V. Jelic, Y. Wei, V. N. Breslin, M. Hassan, N. Everett, S. Lee, Q. Sun, C. A. Pignedoli, P. Ruffieux, R. Fasel ,and T. L. Cocker

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26656-3DOI 链接 ↗

Evolution of the Topological Energy Band in Graphene Nanoribbons

J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2021, 12, 35, 8679–8684.

Qiang Sun*, Yuyi Yan, Xuelin Yao, Klaus Müllen, Akimitsu Narita, Roman Fasel, and Pascal Ruffieux*

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c02541DOI 链接 ↗

Bottom‐up Fabrication and Atomic‐scale Characterization of Triply‐linked, Laterally π‐Extended Porphyrin Nanotapes

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 16208.

Q. Sun, L. M. Mateo, R. Robles, N. Lorente, P. Ruffieux, G. Bottari, T. Torres and R. Fasel

DOI: 10.1002/anie.202105350DOI 链接 ↗

On-surface synthesis of singly and doubly porphyrin-capped graphene nanoribbon segments

Chem. Sci. 12, 247-252, 2021

L. M. Mateo,† Q. Sun,† K. Eimre, C. A. Pignedoli, T. Torres, R. Fasel*, G. Bottari*

DOI: 10.1039/D0SC04316HDOI 链接 ↗

20202 篇 · 查看论文+

Inducing Open-Shell Character in Porphyrins through Surface Assisted Phenalenyl π‑Extension

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 142, 42, 18109–18117

(selected as front Cover, ) Q. Sun,† L. M. Mateo,† R. Robles,† P. Ruffieux, N. Lorente*, G. Bottari*, T. Torres*, R. Fasel*

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c07781DOI 链接 ↗

Structural, Electronic, and Vibrational Properties of a Two-Dimensional Graphdiyne-like Carbon Nanonetwork Synthesized on Au(111): Implications for the Engineering of sp-sp 2 Carbon Nanostructures

ACS Appl. Nano Mater. 2020, 3, 12, 12178–12187

A. Rabia, F. Tumino, A. Milani, V. Russo, A. L. Bassi, N. Bassi, A. Lucotti, S. Achilli, G. Fratesi, N. Manini, G. Onida, Q. Sun, W. Xu, C. S. Casari*

DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.0c02665DOI 链接 ↗

before2020查看代表论文+

1. Q. Sun,† X. Yao,† O. Gröning, K. Eimre, C. A. Pignedoli, K. Müllen, A. Narita*, R. Fasel, Pascal Ruffieux*, “Coupled Spin States in Armchair Graphene Nanoribbons with Asymmetric Zigzag Edge Extensions” Nano Lett. 20, 9, 6429, 2020

2. Q. Sun, O. Gröning, J. Overbeck, O. Braun, M. L. Perrin, G. Borin Barin, M. El Abbassi, K. Eimre, E. Ditler, C. Daniels, V. Meunier, C. A. Pignedoli, M. Calame, R. Fasel, P. Ruffieux*, “Massive Dirac fermion behavior in a low bandgap graphene nanoribbon near a topological phase boundary”, Adv. Mater. 32, 1906054, 2020

3. I. Hou,† Q. Sun,† K. Eimre, M. Di Giovannantonio, J. I. Urgel, P. Ruffieux, A. Narita*, R. Fasel*, K. Müllen*, “On-Surface Synthesis of Unsaturated Carbon Nanostructures with Regularly Fused Pentagon–Heptagon Pairs”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 142, 10291–10296, 2020 (†cofirst author, selected as Cover)

4. L. M. Mateo,† Q. Sun,† S. Liu, J. J. Bergkamp, K. Eimre, C. A. Pignedoli, P. Ruffieux, S. Decurtins,* G. Bottari,* R. Fasel,* T. Torres* “On-Surface Synthesis and Characterization of Triply Fused Porphyrin–Graphene Nanoribbon Hybrids” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 59, 1334-1339, 2020 (†cofirst author, selected as Cover)

5. S. Wang,† Q. Sun,† O. Gröning, R. Widmer, C. A. Pignedoli, L. Cai, X. Yu, B. Yuan, C. Li, H. Ju, J. Zhu, P. Ruffieux, R. Fasel*, Wei Xu*, “On-surface synthesis and characterization of individual polyacetylene chains” Nat. Chem., 11, 924-930, 2019 (†cofirst author)

6. Q. Sun, I. Hou, K. Eimre, C. A. Pignedoli, P. Ruffieux, A. Narita*, R. Fasel*, “On-surface synthesis of polyazulene with 2,6-connectivity”, Chem. Commun., 55, 13466-13469, 2019

7. Q. Sun, X. Yu, M. Bao, M. Liu, J. Pan, Zeqi Zha, L. Cai, H. Ma, C.Yuan, X. Qiu*, W. Xu*, “Direct formation of C-C triple bonded structural motifs by on-surface dehalogenative homocoupling of tribromomethyl molecules” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 57, 4035-4038, 2018

8. Q Sun, R Zhang, J Qiu, R Liu, W. Xu*, “On-surface synthesis of carbon nanostructures” Adv. Mater. 30, 1705630, 2018

9. Q. Sun, B. V. Tran, L. Cai, H. Ma, X. Yu, C. Yuan, M. Stöhr*, W. Xu*, “On-surface formation of cumulene by dehalogenative homocoupling of alkenyl gem-dibromides”, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 56, 12165-12169, 2017

10. Q. Sun, L. Cai, S. Wang, R. Widmer, H. Ju, J. Zhu, L. Li, Y. He, P. Ruffieux, R. Fasel, W. Xu*, “Bottom-up synthesis of metalated carbyne” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 138, 1106-1109, 2016

11. Q. Sun, L. Cai, H. Ma, C. Yuan*, W. Xu*, “Dehalogenative homocoupling of terminal alkynyl bromides on Au(111): incorporation of acetylenic scaffolding into surface nanostructures” ACS Nano 10, 7023-7030, 2016

Group Leader

Prof. Dr. Qiang Sun

Room 429B, No.7 Building, 333 Nanchen Road

Shanghai 200444, China

Email: qiangsun@shu.edu.cn

Email: sunqiang123456@gmail.com

ORCIDid: 0000-0003-4903-4570

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=AGzBEW0AAAAJ&hl=en

Personal Page in MGI:

https://mgi.shu.edu.cn/info/1068/2601.htm

个人简介

上海大学“伟长学者”，材料基因组工程研究院教授，国家级海外高层次青年人才、上海海外高层次人才计划。主要从事材料微结构表征、微纳操控与制造、材料基因工程等研究。利用数据挖掘、机器学习和人工智能方法，实现显微图像自动目标识别、材料性能预测和实验路径规划。在相关领域共发表80余篇SCI论文。曾获上海市教委记功两次，教育部自然科学二等奖、欧盟玛丽居里奖金等荣誉。主持了国家自然科学基金面上、青年项目等项目。担任Materials Genome Engineering Advances， Journal of Materials Informatics等期刊青年编委。

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Liangliang Cai

Room 329, No.7 Building, 333 Nanchen Road

Shanghai 200444, China

Email: cailiangliangmgi@shu.edu.cn

Email: cailiangliang521@hotmail.com

ORCIDid: 0000-0002-3112-815X

Personal Page in MGI:

https://mgi.shu.edu.cn/info/1069/5395.htm

个人简介

上海市人才，上海大学材料基因组工程研究院副教授。主要从事表面科学领域的前沿基础科学研究，具体研究方向包括：有机小分子在表面的组装及化学反应；利用表面化学合成精准可控构建新型化合物和碳纳米结构；高通量制备方法构建具有原子级尺度精度的低维纳米结构；人工智能在表面合成领域的应用等。近年来，在相关领域共发表30余篇SCI论文（包括影响因子大于10的化学、材料领域权威期刊12篇）。

Ph.D Student

Jiayi Lu (陆佳宜)

Email: jiayilu@shu.edu.cn

Research:
High-throughput preparation of surface nanostructures

2024-2025 中科院半导体研究所联合培养

Zhiwen Zhu (朱志文)

Email: zhiwenzhu@shu.edu.cn

Research:
Automation of molecular imaging, recognition and manipulation

2025 香港科技大学交流访学

Juan Xiang (向娟)

Email: juanxiang@shu.edu.cn

Research:
Artificial Intelligence enabled STM

Quan Yang (杨泉)

Email: quanyang@shu.edu.cn

Research:

Qi Huang (黄琦)

Email: huangqii@shu.edu.cn

Research:
On-surface photochemistry and photophysics

Tairan Yang (杨泰然)

Email: tr_yang@shu.edu.cn

Research:
Nanomachines at the single-molecule level

Yan Zhang (张言)

Email: zhangyan1011@shu.edu.cn

Research:
Intelligent computing

Master Student

Xinyi Zhang (张欣怡)

Email: zxinyi@shu.edu.cn

Research:
On-surface synthesis and assembly

Zhipeng Xiang (向志鹏)

Email: zhipeng_xiang@shu.edu.cn

Research:
On-surface synthesis and assembly

Haiyang Sun (孙海洋)

Email: haiyangsun@shu.edu.cn

Research:
On-surface synthesis and assembly

Zheng Zhang (张正)

Email: zhengzhang@shu.edu.cn

Research:
On-surface synthesis and assembly

Graduated Student

Hao Jiang (江昊) Graduated in 2026

Working at Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Yizhang Li (李易璋) Graduated in 2026

Working at JAKA Robotics Co., Ltd.

Yuyi Yan (闫宇翼) Graduated in 2023

Pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley

Fengru Zheng (郑凤茹) Graduated in 2024

Pursuing a Ph.D. at Soochow University

Shaoxuan Yuan (袁少轩) Graduated in 2025

Pursuing a Ph.D. at Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven

Yu He (何宇) Graduated in 2025

Working at The High School Affiliated to Shanghai University

2026.09.20

走进索雷博：光电企业参访

课题组走访上海索雷博光电科技有限公司，了解光电技术与产业应用，并开展现场交流学习。

参观过程中！

▲ 参观学习

2026.06.03

2026届毕业答辩与欢送会

课题组成员顺利完成毕业答辩，师生共同聚餐，并送上毕业礼物与祝福。

答辩顺利结束！

▲ 答辩合影

毕业聚会！

老师请客！还有非常贴心毕业礼物！

▲ 聚会合影

2026.05.16-19

浙江春游：古城漫步与海岸徒步

课题组成员赴浙江开展自驾春游，在古城漫步与海岸徒步中放松身心、增进交流。

5月17日-台州city walk

从鲁迅故里出发，感受江南水乡的韵味。再到台州品鉴当地美食，我们足迹从市井小巷到长城古道。

▲ 江南长城合影

5月17日-勇闯水桶岙吹着海风，沐浴阳光，115闪击水桶岙小环线！轻松拿下！

▲ 终点合影

2025.06.03

2025届毕业答辩与欢送会

课题组成员顺利完成毕业答辩，师生共同聚餐，并送上毕业礼物与祝福。

答辩顺利结束！

▲ 答辩合影

毕业聚会！

老师请客！还有非常贴心毕业礼物！

▲ 聚会合影

2025.04.05-06

清明春游：铁匠山徒步与黄山登顶

课题组在清明假期开展春日团建，先后完成铁匠山徒步与黄山登顶。

4月5日 -宁国铁匠山徒步

那些沾着草汁的裤脚、磨红的掌心、共享的巧克力，还有云雾中时远时近的说笑，才是这个春天最鲜活的注脚。

▲ 铁匠山合影

4月6日 - 黄山登顶

缆车冲破云层，光明顶的朝阳正熔金般倾泻。鳌鱼峰驮着十二级天风，飞来石在湛蓝天幕下凝固成惊心动魄的悬停。

▲ 黄山合影

2025.1.03

冬夜师生羽毛球赛

课题组会后开展羽毛球活动，在运动中增进师生交流与团队默契。

Badminton activities after the group meeting！
羽球赋
红光映雪夜，羽拍舞翩跹。师生同竞技，情谊共长天。高手如林立，球影似星悬。挥汗如雨下，笑语满场传。
海蟾同居岛，弟子肩舆来。羽球如飞电，师生情似海。激烈争高下，情谊更添彩。运动后酣畅，冬日夜不寒。

2024.11.03

秋日迎新团建

新教师和同学齐聚秋日团建，在轻松交流中迎接新的学习与科研旅程。

Welcome to our autumn gathering, where new teachers and students come together to celebrate a season of fresh beginnings and shared journeys!

2024.04.13

春日踏青团建

课题组开展春日踏青活动，在户外交流中放松身心、增进团队情谊。

Spring outing time！

2023.09.24

中秋团圆聚餐

中秋前夕，课题组成员欢聚一堂，共庆收获、分享科研生活，增进团队友谊。

Gathering up for a pre-Mid-Autumn Feast with our research group. Celebrate the harvest of knowledge and the bond of friendship.

2023.07.01

首届毕业生欢送会

课题组为首位毕业生闫宇翼举办毕业欢送聚餐，并准备纪念礼物，祝福开启新的旅程。

Our research group organized a graduation dinner for Yan Yuyi, our first graduated student, and prepared a small gift for him.

2022.01

真人射击团建活动

课题组共同参加真人射击团建活动，在协作与挑战中留下难忘回忆。

What a wonderful moment it was when our research group participated in a real-life shooting game activity together.

2021.09

显微镜组装后的首次合影

显微镜完成组装后，课题组拍摄了第一张集体合影，记录科研平台建设的重要时刻。

First group pictures after the assembling of the microscope.

2021.01

课题组首张合影

课题组成立初期拍摄首张团队合影，记录共同成长的起点。

The very first Nanogroup photo.

20266 条 · 新闻与图片+

2026.10

Congratulations to Zhiwen Zhu, a Ph.D. student, and Zhipeng Xiang, a master's student, on receiving the 2026 National Scholarship.

2026.07

Members of the Qiang Sun Group participated in the 2026 China Conference on Scanning Probe Microscopy (ChinaSPM 2026) and the 3rd International Conference on Advanced Materials and Quantum Science (3rd AMQS), held at the Xinjiang International Convention and Exhibition Center in Urumqi, China, from July 28 to August 3, 2026. The joint conference brought together researchers in scanning probe microscopy, advanced materials, quantum science, high-end instrumentation, and related interdisciplinary fields to share recent research advances, discuss emerging technologies, and promote academic exchange and collaboration.

2026.07

Members of the Qiang Sun Group participated in China Materials Conference 2026 and the 27th China International New Materials Expo, held at the Wuhan International Expo Center in Wuhan, Hubei Province, from July 14 to 17, 2026. The conference featured plenary lectures, thematic sessions and poster presentations covering energy materials, functional materials and devices, advanced materials characterization, artificial intelligence for materials, and other emerging areas, providing a platform for academic exchange on recent advances in materials science and engineering.

2026.06

Qiang Sun group participated in the sixth edition of the On-Surface Synthesis International Workshop (OSS26), held in Ribadesella, Spain, from June 7 to 12, 2026. The workshop brought together researchers from chemistry, physics, materials science and engineering to discuss recent advances in on-surface synthesis.

2026.06

Congratulations to Yizhang Li for being awarded the Outstanding Graduates of Shanghai(上海市优秀毕业生).

2026.04

Qiang Sun group participated in The 35th Academic Annual Conference of the Chinese Chemical Society (CCS Congress) held in Chongqing, China, and Zhiwen Zhu was awarded the Excellent Poster Award in the Surface Physical Chemistry Section for his academic poster presentation.

20256 条 · 新闻与图片+

2025.11

Assoc. Prof. Liangliang Cai and student Tairan Yang participated in the Nature Conferences event “Atomic-level Manufacturing: Frontier and Applications” and each received the Outstanding Poster Award for their respective presentations.

2025.10

Yang Quan participated in the AI Scientist Knowledge Reconstruction Challenge held at the State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, and won the Second Prize with the project “Low-Cost Self-Driven Titration Experimental Platform.”

2025.06

We attended The STM'25 in Seoul, South Korea.

2025.06

Congratulations to Yu He for being awarded the Outstanding Graduates of Shanghai(上海市优秀毕业生).

2025.05

We attended The 1st National Conference on Surface and Interface Science of the Chinese Chemical Society in Chengdu, Sichuan. And congratulations to Qi Huang on winning the Best Poster Award in The 1st National Conference on Surface and Interface Science of the Chinese Chemical Society!

2025.03

Yu He attended DPG Spring Meeting in Regensburg, Germany.

20247 条 · 新闻与图片+

2024.11

We attended The 8th Forum of Materials Genome Engineering in Ningde FuJian.

2024.06

We attended The 34th CCS Congress in GuangZhou GuangDong.

2024.06

Hao Jiang attended On-Surface Synthesis 2024 in Sant Feliu de Guixols Spain.

2024.05

Jiayi Lu attended The 245th ECS Meeting and make a speech in SAN FRANCISCO United States.

2024.05

We attended The 15th international Conference on Atomically Controlled Surfaces, Interfaces and Nanostructures in SuZhou JiangSu.

2024.04

Congratulations to Fengru for being awarded the Shanghai University Self-improvement Star(上海大学自强之星).

2024.01

Congratulations to Fengru for being awarded the Outstanding Graduates of Shanghai(上海市优秀毕业生).

20238 条 · 新闻与图片+

2023.12

.01 Congratulations to Fengru for being awarded the National Postgraduate Scholarship(研究生国家奖学金).

2023.09

.03 Hao Jiang & Zhiwen attended The CMD30 FisMat 2023 in Milano, Ltaly.

2023.08

.28 Fengru & Jiayi attended The 36th EuropeanConferenceon SurfaceScience in Lodz, Poland.

2023.08

.25 Our new work entitled "Predicting Molecular Self-Assembly on Metal Surfaces Using Graph Neural Networks Based on Experimental Data Sets" has been published in ACS Nano.

2023.07

.10 We attended The Chinese Materials Conference 2022-2023 in ShenZhen GuangDong. And congratulations to Zhu Zhiwen on winning the Best Poster Award in The Chinese Materials Conference 2022-2023!

2023.07

.01 Fareware to Yuyi Yan, wish you a good luck for your next adventure at UC Berkeley. Your presence will definitely be missed.

2023.06

.17-2023.06.20 We attended The 33rd CCS Congress in QingDao ShanDong. And congratulations to Zhu Zhiwen on winning the Best Poster Award in The 33rd CCS Congress!

2023.02

.16-2023.02.18 We attended the 6th Forum of Materials Genome Engineering in HangZhou ZheJiang. And congratulations to Lu jiayi on winning the Best Poster Award in the 6th Forum of Materials Genome Engineering!

20229 条 · 新闻与图片+

2022.12

.01 Congratulations to Yuyi for being awarded the National Postgraduate Scholarship(研究生国家奖学金).

2022.09

.30 Our new work entitled "A Deep-Learning Framework for the Automated Recognition of Molecules in Scanning-Probe-Microscopy Images" has been published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

2022.09

.20 Our new work entitled "Heteroatom-Edged Triangulene: Facile Synthesis and Two-Dimensional On-Surface Self-Assemblies" has been published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

2022.09

.01 We welcome Shaoxuan Yuan and Yu He, who join our group as graduates!

2022.08

.23 We welcome Juan Xiang, Qi Huang and Yizhang Li, who join our group as graduates!

2022.08

.30 Our new work entitled "On-surface synthesis of ethers through dehydrative coupling of hydroxymethyl substituents" has been published in Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics.

2022.08

.01 Our new work entitled "High-Throughput Preparation of Supramolecular Nanostructures on Metal Surfaces" has been published in ACS Nano.

2022.05

.01 Our new work entitled "Molecular heterostructure by fusing graphene nanoribbons of different lengths through a pentagon ring junction" has been published in Nano Reseach.

2022.02

.01 Our new work entitled "Magnetic Interplay between π-Electrons of Open-Shell Porphyrins and d-Electrons of Their Central Transition Metal Ions" has been published in Advanced Science.

20216 条 · 新闻与图片+

2021.12

.01 Congratulations to Yuyi for being awarded the National Postgraduate Scholarship(研究生国家奖学金) and the Outstanding Student Honor of the University(校优秀学生荣誉).

2021.09

.02 Our new work entitled "Evolution of the Topological Energy Band in Graphene Nanoribbons" has been just published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry.

2021.09

.01 We welcome Fengru and Zhiwen, who join our group as graduates!

2021.07

.23 Our UHV-SPM system is under active construction. It is named "芥子" or mustard in English. The name comes from an ancient Buddhist texts "纳须弥于芥子", which means putting the moutain inside a mustard seads. We notice "there is plenty of room at the bottom".

2021.04

.19-2021.04.22 We are in ZhuHai GuangDong to attend THE 32ND CSS CONGRESS!

2021.03

.05 We are happy to launch our group website www.qiangsungroup.cn. Great job, Hao!

20201 条 · 新闻与图片+

2020.09

.08 We welcome Yuyi and Hao, who join our group as the first graduates!