Prof. Sam H.-Y. HSU

Education
Ph.D. in the Center for Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Physical Chemistry, University of Florida, United States
Staff title
Associate Professor

Prof. Sam H.-Y. HSU obtained his PhD degree under supervision of Prof. Kirk S. SCHANZE at University of Florida with focusing on photophysical behaviors of functional metallopolymer materials for solar energy and optoelectronic applications. After that, he received the two-year postdoctoral and research associate’s appointments respectively with Prof. Allen J. BARD and Prof. Edward T. YU in Center for Electrochemistry as well as Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Texas at Austin. During the period of his postdoc and research associate, he completed many outstanding multidisciplinary projects. The area of his expertise stretches from material design to new related disciplines involving material characterization and diverse applications, such as solar fuels, organic and inorganic photovoltaic cells, wastewater treatment and food waste management.

Other Information

Research Interests

Prof. Sam H.-Y. HSU’s research interests involve the material design, synthesis, processing, imaging, spectroscopy as well as energy and environmental applications, aiming to explore fundamental properties and dynamic interactions of organic and inorganic materials for developing efficient energy-conversion and energy-saving processes. He has keen interests in photoinduced charge transfer processes, interfacial electron transfer, electrochemical hydrogen generation, and photoredox reactions for electricity generation, solar fuel production, electrochemiluminescence (ECL), wastewater treatment as well as food waste management. The investigations between material phenomena and device performance rely heavily on experimental and theoretical concepts of energy and environmental engineering, consisting of photophysics, electrochemistry, photoelectrochemistry by utilizing scanning photoelectrochemical microscopy (SECM) imaging, ultrafast transient absorption (TA), time-resolved photoluminescence spectra (TRPL) and so forth. Current research interests in his group include the following:

  • Energy engineering (e.g., solar fuels, photovoltaics, electrochemiluminescence (ECL), and optoelectronic devices)
  • Environmental engineering (e.g., wastewater treatment, food waste treatment, and Organic matter degradation)
  • Material design (e.g., alloy, organometallics, biomaterials, nanomaterials, perovskites and metallopolymers)
  • Dynamic interfacial interaction by utilizing photophysical, photochemical, electrochemical and photoelectrochemical techniques.

Recent Research Projects

  • Interfacial Dynamics of Hybrid Materials for Energy-Saving and Energy-Conversion Applications
  • The Development of Hybrid Semiconductors for Next-Generation Light-Emitting system.
  • Photoelectrochemical Devices for pollutant degradation and/or Solar-fuel Generation
  • The Design of Hybrid Materials for Hydrogen Production and/or Photovoltaic Cells
  • Highly Efficient Portable Electrochemical Probes for Heavy Metals Analysis

Position(s) available

Post-doctoral Fellows / Research Associates / Research Assistants/PhD candidate in the field of Energy and Environment

  • Duties
    The appointee will conduct research in at least one of the following areas: photophysics, electrochemistry, photochemistry, photoelectrochemistry, solar fuels, photovoltaics, electrochemiluminescence (ECL), optoelectronic device, organic matter degradation, as well as material design and synthesis.
  • Requirements
    Effective writing and oral communication skills in English are essential. Degree holder in relevant science or engineering fields: Ph.D. degree for Post-doctoral Fellow; Bachelor's or Master's degree for Senior Research Assistant / Research Assistant / PhD candidate. Candidates with experience in theoretical modeling or experimental study are preferred.
  • Salary and Conditions of Service
    Salary offered will be highly competitive, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Fringe benefits include leave, medical and dental consultations at the campus clinic.
  • Application
    Interested individuals are encouraged to submit their CV and research statement to Prof. Sam H.-Y. HSU at sam.hyhsu@cityu.edu.hk. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.


City University of Hong Kong is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to the principle of diversity. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, especially applicants who will enhance the diversity of our staff.

Selected Journal Publications

Journal Publications

  • Tang, Y.a; Mak, C. H.a; Zhang, J.; Jia, G.; Cheng, K.-C.; Song, H.; Yuan, M.; Zhao, S.; Kai, J.-J.; Colmenares, J. C.; Hsu, H.-Y.*, Unravelling the interfacial dynamics of band-gap funneling in bismuth-based halide perovskites”, Advanced Materials, 2022, Advance Article.
  • Santoso, S. P.; Kurniawan, A.; Angkawijaya, A. E.; Shuwanto, H; Warmadewanthi, I.D.A.A.; Hsieh, C.-W.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Soetaredjo, F. E.; Ismadji, S.; Cheng, K.-C., Removal of Heavy Metals from Water by Macro-Mesoporous Calcium Alginate–Exfoliated Clay Composite Sponges. Chemical Engineering Journal 2022, Advance Article.
  • Cao, T. N. D; Wang, T. H.; Peng, Y.aHsu, H.-Y.; Mukhtar, H.; Yu, C.-P., Photo-assisted Microbial Fuel Cell systems: Critical Review of Scientific Rationale and Recent Advances in System Development. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology 2022, Advance Article.
  • Li, S.; Ren, S.; Lyu, L; Song, J.; Wang, Y; Lin, T.-W.; Brun, A.L.; Hsu, H.-Y.*; Shen, H.-H.*, Solid- and Liquid-Surface Supported Bacterial Membrane Mimetics as a Platform for Functional and Structural Studies of Antimicrobials. Membranes 2022, Advance Article. (SCI IF: 4.562, 83/1021=31.9 % in Chemical Engineering)
  • Liu, R.; Wang, J.; Mak, C. H. a; Du, M.; Li, F.-F.; Shen, H.-H.; Santoso, S. P.; Yu, E. T.; Yu, X.; Chu, P. K.*Hsu, H.-Y.*, Optimizing black phosphorus/halide perovskite compositions by scanning photoelectrochemical microscopy. Journal of The Electrochemical Society 2022, Advance Article.
  • Liu, Y.; Chen, X.; Lai, X.; Dzuvor, C.; Lyu, L.; Chow, S. H.; He, L.; Yu, L.; Wang, Y.; Song, J.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Lin, T.-W.; Chan, P.; Shen, H.-H.*, Co-Assembled Nitric Oxide-Releasing Nanoparticles with Potent Antimicrobial Efficacy against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Strains. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2022, Advance Article.
  • Tang, Y.; Mak, C. H.; Wang, C.; Fu, Y.; Li, F.-F.; Jia, G.; Hsieh, C.-W.; Shen, H. H.; Colmenares, J. C.; Song, H.; Yuan, M.; Chen, Y.*Hsu, H.-Y.*, Band-gap funneling in bismuth-based hybrid perovskite photocatalyst with efficient visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution. Small Methods 2022, 2200326. (Back Cover 2022 in Small Methods)
  • Wu, H.; Utomo, W. P.; Tian, Y.; Mak, C. H; Chung, H. Y.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Shang, J.; Ng, Y. H., Enhanced Visible-light-driven Heterogeneous Photocatalytic CO2 Methanation by Cu2O@Cu-MOF-74 Thin Film. ChemPhysMater 2022, Advance Article.
  • Liu, L.; Bai, B.; Li, J.; Zhou, Y.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Jia, G.*, Band alignment engineering of semiconductor nanocrystal heterostructures towards emerging applications. Solar RRL 2022, 2200299.
  • Yang, J.; Hu, H.; Lv, Y.; Yuan, M.; Wang, B.; He, Z.; Chen,1S.; Wang, Y.; Hu, Z.; Yu, M.; Zhang, X.; He, J.; Zhang, J.; Liu, H.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Tang, J.; Song, H.; Lan, X.*, Ligand-Engineered HgTe Colloidal Quantum Dot Solids for Infrared Photodetectors. Nano Letters 2022, 22 (8), 3465-3472.
  • Cheng, K.-C.; Hsiao, H.-C.; Hou, Y.-C.; Hsieh, C.-W.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Chen, H.-Y.; Lin, S.-P.*, Improvement in violacein production by utilizing formic acid to induce quorum sensing in chromobacterium violaceum. Antioxidants 2022, 11, 849.
  • Tang, Y.; Mak, C. H.; Jia, G.; Cheng, K.-C.; Kai, J.-J.; Hsieh, C.-W.; Meng, F.; Niu, W.; Li, F.-F.; Shen, H.-H.; Zhu, X.; Chen, H. M.; Hsu, H.-Y.*, Lead-free hybrid perovskite photocatalysts: surface engineering, charge-carrier behaviors, and solar-driven applications. Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2022, 10, 12296-12316. (Front Cover 2022 in J. Mater. Chem. A)
  • Zhang, Y.; Zhao, K.; Huang, J; Hsu, H.-Y.; Xu, J; Luque, R.; Niu, W.; Xu, G. *, Non-centrosymmetric Hollow BiOCl Nanocaps with Tailored Openings for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B. ACS Applied Nano Materials 2022, 5 (2), 2326-2334.
  • Lin, S.-P.; Huang, S.-H.; Ting, Y.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Cheng, K.-C.*, Evaluation of detoxified sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate by atmospheric cold plasma for bacterial cellulose production. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 2022, 204, 136-143.
  • Yu, A.; Ma, G.; Zhu, L.; Zhang, R.; Li, Y.; Yang S.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Peng, P.; Li, F.-F.*, Conversion of CO2 to defective porous carbons in one electro-redox cycle for boosting electrocatalytic H2O2 production. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 2022, 307, 121161.
  • Lai, X.; Han, M.-L.; Ding, Y.; Chow S. H.; Le Brun, A. P.; Wu, C.-M.; Bergen, P. J.; Jiang, J.-H.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Muir, B. W.; White, J.; Song, J.; Li, J.; Shen, H.-H.*, A polytherapy based approach to combat antimicrobial resistance using cubosomes. Nature Communications 2022, 13, 343.
  • Angkawijaya, A. E.; Tran-Chuong, Y. N.; Ha, Q. N.; Tran-Nguyen, P. L.; Santoso, S. P.; Bundjaja, V.; Go, A. W.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Ju, Y.-H., Studies on the performance of functionalized Fe3O4 as phosphate adsorbent and assessment to its environmental compatibility. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers 2022, 131, 104162.
  • Peng, Y.; Du, M.; Zou, X.; Jia, G; Santoso, S. P.*; Peng, X.; Niu, W.; Yuan, M.; Hsu, H.-Y.*, Suppressing photoinduced charge recombination at the BiVO4||NiOOH junction by sandwiching an oxygen vacancy layer for efficient photoelectrochemical water oxidation. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 2022, 608, 1116-1125.
  • Li, M.; Chen, S.; Zhao, X.; Xiong, K.; Wang, B.; Shah, U. A.; Gao, L.; Lan, X.; Zhang, J.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Tang, J; Song, H.*, Matching charge extraction contact for infrared PbS colloidal quantum dot solar cells. Small 2022, 18, 2105495.
  • Peng, Y.; Mak, C. H.; Kai, J.-J.; Du, M.; Ji, L.; Yuan, M.; Zou, X.; Shen, H.-H.; Santosoh, S. P.; Colmenares, J. C.*Hsu, H.-Y.*, Recent Progress on Post-Synthetic Treatments of Photoelectrodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting. Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2021, 9, 26628 - 26649.
  • Santosoa, S. P.*; Angkawijaya, A. E.; Bundjaja, V.; Hsieh, C.-W.; Go, A. W.; Yuliana, M.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Tran-Nguyen, P. L.; Soetaredjo, F. E.; Ismadji, S., TiO2/guar gum hydrogel composite for adsorption and photodegradation of methylene blue. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 2021, 193, 721-733.
  • Li, N.; Du, M.; Meng, Y.; Xue, H.; Cao, F.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Liu, F.; Liu, F., Characterization of red blood cells agglutination based on stochastic collision electrochemical technique. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical 2021, 349, 130817.
  • Yu, A.; Ma, G.; Zhu, L.; Hu, Y.; Zhang, R.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Peng, P.; Li, F.-F., Electrochemically controlled in situ conversion of CO2 to defective carbon nanotubes for enhanced H2O2 Nanoscale 2021, 13, 15973-15980.
  • Fu, X.; He, T.; Lei, X.; Jiang, Y.; Wang, D.; Sun, P.; Zhao, D.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Li, X.; Yuan, M.*, Halogen-Halogen Bonds Enable Improved Long-term Operational Stability of Mixed-Halide Perovskite Photovoltaics. Chem 2021, 7, 3131-3143.
  • Shang, S.; Xiong, W.; Yang, C.;Johannessen, B.; Liu, R.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Gu, Q.; Leung, M.; Shang, J., Atomically dispersed iron metal site in a porphyrin-based metal-organic framework for photocatalytic nitrogen fixation”, ACS Nano 2021, 2021, 15, 9670-9678.
  • Yu, A.; Ma, G.; Jiang, J.; Hu, Y.; Su, M.; Long, W.; Gao, S.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Li, F.-F., Bio-inspired and eco-friendly synthesis of 3D spongy meso-microporous carbons from CO2 in molten salt for supercapacitors. Chemistry—A European Journal 2021, 17, 10405-10412.
  • Fu, L.; Gao, X.; Dong, S.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Zou, G., Surface-Defect-Induced and Synergetic-Effect-Enhanced NIR-II Electrochemiluminescence of Au–Ag Bimetallic Nanoclusters and Its Spectral Sensing. Analytical Chemistry 2021, 93, 4909-4915.
  • Gao, X.; Dong, S.; Fu, L.; Zhang, B.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Zou, G., Use of Triangular Silver Nanoplates as Low Potential Redox Mediators for Electrochemical Sensing. Analytical Chemistry 2021, 93 (6), 3295-3300.
  • Ding, Y.; Chow, S. H.; Chen, J.; Le Brun, A. P.; Wu, C.-M.; Duff, A. P.; Wang, Y.; Song, J.; Wang, J.-H.; Wong, V. H.; Zhao, D.; Lee, T.-H.; Conn, C.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Bui, B. V.; Liu, G.-S.; Shen, H.-H., Targeted Delivery of LM22A-4 by Cubosomes Protects Retinal Ganglion Cells in An Experimental Glaucoma Model. Acta Biomaterialia 2021126, 433-444.
  • Sun, C.; Jiang, Y.; Cui, M.; Qiao, L.; Wei, J.; Huang, Y.; Zhang, L.; He, T.; Li, S.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Qin, C.-C.; Long, R.; Yuan, M., High-performance large-area quasi-2D perovskite light-emitting diodes. Nature Communications 2021, 12 (1), 1-11.
  • Kuo, H.-C.; Kwong, H. K.; Chen, H.-Y.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Yu, S.-H.; Hsieh, C.-W.; Lin, H.-W.; Chu, Y.-L.; Cheng, K.-C., Enhanced Antioxidant Activity of Chenopodium formosanum K oidz. by Lactic Acid Bacteria: Optimization of Fermentation Conditions. PLOS ONE, 2021, Advance Article.
  • Liu, R.; Peng, X.; Han, X.; Mak, C. H.a; Cheng, K.-C.; Santoso, S. P.; Shen, H.-H.; Ruan, Q.; Cao, F.; Yu, E. T.; Chu, P. K.; Hsu, H.-Y.*, Cost-effective liquid-junction solar devices with plasma-implanted Ni/TiN/CNF hierarchically structured nanofibers. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry 2021, 887, 115167.
  • Peng, Y.; Wu, H.; Yuan, M.; Li, F.-F.; Zou, X.; Ng, Y. H.; Hsu, H.-Y.*, Chemical reduction-induced surface oxygen vacancies of BiVO4 photoanodes with enhanced photoelectrochemical performance. Sustainable Energy & Fuels 2021, 5, 2284-2293.
  • Peng, Y.; Ruan, Q.; Lam, C. H.; Meng, F.; Guan, C.-Y.; Santoso, S. P.; Zou, X.; Edward, T. Y.; Chu, P. K.; Hsu, H.-Y.*, Plasma-implanted Ti-doped hematite photoanodes with enhanced photoelectrochemical water oxidation performance. Journal of Alloys and Compounds 2021, 870, 159376.
  • Chen, X.; Ding, Y.; Bamert, R. S.; Le Brun, A. P.; Duff, A. P.; Wu, C.-M.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Shiota, T.; Lithgow, T.; Shen, H.-H., Substrate-dependent arrangements of the subunits of the BAM complex determined by neutron reflectometry. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Biomembranes 2021, 183587.
  • Wang, R.; Yin, Y.; Xu, K.; Wu, L.; Huang, Z.; Hsu, H.-Y.*; Sessler, J. L.; Zhang, Z., Doubly N-confused phlorin and phlorinone analogue. Chemical Communications 2021, 57 (22), 2772-2775. (*Corresponding Author)
  • Andreas, A.; Winata, Z. G.; Santoso, S. P.; Angkawijaya, A. E.; Yuliana, M.; Soetaredjo, F. E.; Ismadji, S.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Go, A. W.; Ju, Y.-H., Biocomposite hydrogel beads from glutaraldehyde-crosslinked phytochemicals in alginate for effective removal of methylene blue. Journal of Molecular Liquids 2021, 329, 115579.
  • Santoso, S. P.; Lin, S.-P.; Wang, T.-Y.; Ting, Y.; Hsieh, C.-W.; Yu, R.-C.; Angkawijaya, A. E.; Soetaredjo, F. E.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Cheng, K.-C., Atmospheric cold plasma-assisted pineapple peel waste hydrolysate detoxification for the production of bacterial cellulose. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 2021, 175, 526-534.
  • Fu, L.; Fu, K.; Gao, X.; Dong, S.; Zhang, B.; Fu, S.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Zou, G., Enhanced Near-Infrared Electrochemiluminescence from Trinary Ag–In–S to Multinary Ag–Ga–In–S Nanocrystals via Doping-in-Growth and Its Immunosensing Applications. Analytical Chemistry 2021, 93 (4), 2160-2165.
  • Du, M.; Zhao, X.; Zhu, G.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Liu, F., Elastic strain controlling the activity and selectivity of CO2 electroreduction on Cu overlayers. Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2021, 9 (8), 4933-4944.
  • Chen, H.-Y.; Ting, Y.; Kuo, H.-C.; Hsieh, C.-W.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Wu, C.-N.; Cheng, K.-C., Enzymatic degradation of ginkgolic acids by laccase immobilized on core/shell Fe3O4/nylon composite nanoparticles using novel coaxial electrospraying process. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 2021, 172, 270-280.
  • Li, J.; Du, N.; Tan, Y.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Tan, C.; Jiang, Y., Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles Based on Copper Coordination for Real-Time Monitoring of pH-Responsive Drug Delivery. ACS Applied Bio Materials 2021, 4 (3), 2583-2590.
  • Du, M.; Meng, Y.; Zhu, G.; Gao, M.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Liu, F., Intrinsic electrocatalytic activity of a single IrO x nanoparticle towards oxygen evolution reaction. Nanoscale 2020, 12 (43), 22014-22021.
  • Mak, C. H.; Han, X.; Du, M.; Kai, J.-J.; Tsang, K. F.; Jia, G.; Cheng, K.-C.; Shen, H.-H.; Hsu, H.-Y.*, Heterogenization of homogeneous photocatalysts utilizing synthetic and natural support materials. Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2021, 9, 4454-4504. (*Corresponding Author) (Themed Collection in J. Mater. Chem. A)
  • Santoso, S. P.; Angkawijaya, A. E.; Kurniawan, A.; Yuliana, M.; Soetaredjo, F. E.; Ismadji, S.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Tran-Nguyen, P. L.; Ju, Y. H., Utilization of Nanocrystalline Cellulose for Adsorption of Divalent Cobalt Ions in the Aqueous Phase. Fine Chemical Engineering 2021, 2, 1-12.
  • Pang, Z; Li, G.; Zou, X.; Sun, C.; Hu, C.; Tang, W.; Ji, L.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Xu, Q.; Lu, X., An integrated strategy towards the facile synthesis of core-shell SiC-derived carbon@ N-doped carbon for high-performance supercapacitors. Journal of Energy Chemistry 2021, 56, 512-521.
  • Wu, H.; Tan, T. H.; Liu, R.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Ng, Y. H., Selective Ethanol Oxidation to Acetaldehyde on Nanostructured Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework‐8‐Wrapped ZnO Photothermocatalyst Thin Films. Solar RRL 2020, 2000423.
  • Liu, R.; Mak, C. H.; Han, X.; Tang, Y.; Jia, G.; Cheng, K.-C.; Qi, H.; Zou, X.; Zou, G.; Hsu, H.-Y.*, Efficient electronic coupling and heterogeneous charge transport of zero-dimensional Cs4PbBr6 perovskite emitters. Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2020, 8 (45), 23803-23811. (Back Cover 2020 in J. Mater. Chem. A)
  • Lai, X.; Ding, Y.; Wu, C.-M.; Chen, X.; Jiang, J.-h.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Wang, Y.; Le Brun, A. P.; Song, J.; Han, M.-L.; Li, J.; Shen, H.-H., Phytantriol-based cubosome formulation as an antimicrobial against lipopolysaccharide-deficient gram-negative bacteria. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2020, 12 (40), 44485-44498.
  • Yang, X.; Yang, J.; Ullah, M. I.; Xia, Y.; Liang, G.; Wang, S.; Zhang, J.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Song, H.; Tang, J., Enhanced Passivation and Carrier Collection in Ink-Processed PbS Quantum Dot Solar Cells via a Supplementary Ligand Strategy. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2020, 12 (37), 42217-42225.
  • Pang, Z.; Zou, X.; Tang, W.; Shi, T.; Wang, S.; Ji, L.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Xu, Q.; Lu, X., Electrosynthesis of Ti 3 AlC 2-Derived Porous Carbon in Molten Salt. JOM 2020, 72 (11), 3887-3894.
  • Chen, Z.; Liao, C.; Price, R.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Younus, M.; Schanze, K. S., Polymeric Nonlinear Absorption Chromophore Array from Controlled Radical Polymerization and “Click” Chemistry. ACS Applied Polymer Materials 2020, 2 (11), 4570-4580.
  • Tang, Y.; Mak, C. H.; Liu, R.; Wang, Z.; Ji, L.; Song, H.; Tan, C.; Barrière, F.; Hsu, H.-Y.*, In Situ Formation of Bismuth‐Based Perovskite Heterostructures for High‐Performance Cocatalyst‐Free Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution. Advanced Functional Materials 2020, 30 (52), 2006919. (Inside Front Cover 2020 in Advanced Functional Materials)
  • Fu, L.; Fu, K.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Gao, X.; Zou, G., Ce4+ doping to modulate electrochemical and radiative-charge-transfer behaviors of CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry 2020, 876, 114546.
  • Mak, C. H.; Liu, R.; Han, X.; Tang, Y.; Zou, X.; Shen, H. H.; Meng, Y.; Zou, G.; Hsu, H.-Y.*, Thermally Activated Delayed Phosphorescence and Interchromophore Exciton Coupling in a Platinum‐Based Organometallic Emitter. Advanced Optical Materials 2020, 8 (20), 2001023.
  • Lin, S.-P.; Kuo, T.-C.; Wang, H.-T.; Ting, Y.; Hsieh, C.-W.; Chen, Y.-K.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Cheng, K.-C., Enhanced bioethanol production using atmospheric cold plasma-assisted detoxification of sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate. Bioresource Technology 2020, 313, 123704.
  • Ding, Y.; Shiota, T.; Le Brun, A. P.; Dunstan, R. A.; Wang, B.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Lithgow, T.; Shen, H.-H., Characterization of BamA reconstituted into a solid-supported lipid bilayer as a platform for measuring dynamics during substrate protein assembly into the membrane. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Biomembranes 2020, 1862 (9), 183317
  • Mak, C. H.; Huang, X.; Liu, R.; Tang, Y.; Han, X.; Ji, L.; Zou, X.; Zou, G.; Hsu, H.-Y.*, Recent progress in surface modification and interfacial engineering for high-performance perovskite light-emitting diodes. Nano Energy 2020, 73, 104752.
  • Jia, J.; Fu, K.; Hou, S.; Zhang, B.; Fu, L.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Zou, G., Enhanced Charge Injection and Recombination of CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystals upon Internal Heterovalent Substitution. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 2019, 123 (49), 29916-29921.
  • Meng, F.; Jia, Y.; Wang, J.; Huang, X.; Gui, Z.; Huang, L.; Li, R.; Chen, R.; Xu, J.; Chen, W.; He, Z.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Zhu, E.; Che, G.; Wang, H.-L*, Dopant-Free Hole Transporting Molecules for Highly Efficient Perovskite Photovoltaic with Strong Interfacial Interaction. Solar RRL 2019, 3 (12), 1900319-1900428.
  • Pang, Z.; Zou, X.; Xiong, X.; Wang, S.; Ji, L.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Wu, G.; Xu, Q.; Lu, X., Molten salt electrosynthesis of Cr2AlC-derived porous carbon for supercapacitors. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2019, 7 (15), 12938-12947.
  • Rao, S.; Zou, X.; Wang, S.; Shi, T.; Lu, Y.; Ji, L.; Hsu, H.-Y.*; Xu, Q.; Lu, X., Electrodeposition of Porous Sn-Ni-Cu Alloy Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries from Nickel Matte in Deep Eutectic Solvents. Journal of The Electrochemical Society 2019, 166 (10), D427-D434. (*Corresponding Author)
  • Rao, S.; Zou, X.; Wang, S.; Lu, Y.; Shi, T.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Xu, Q.; Lu, X., Electrodeposition of Ni-Cu alloy films from nickel matte in deep eutectic solvent. Materials Chemistry and Physics 2019, 232, 6-15.
  • Pang, Z.; Zou, X.; Zheng, K.; Li, S.; Wang, S.; Hsu, H.-Y.*; Xu, Q.; Lu, X., Sustainable synthesis of Cr7C3, Cr2AlC, and their derived porous carbons in molten salts. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2018, 6 (12), 16607-16615. (*Corresponding Author)
  • Ding, Y.; Chow, S. H.; Liu, G.-S.; Wang, B.; Lin, T.-W.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Duff, A. P.; Le Brun, A. P.; Shen, H.-H., Annexin V-containing cubosomes for targeted early detection of apoptosis in degenerative retinal tissue. Journal of Materials Chemistry B 2018, 6 (46), 7652-7661.
  • Hsu, H.-Y.*; Ji, L.; Zhang, C.; Mak, C. H.; Liu, R.; Wang, T.; Zou, X.; Leu, S.-Y.; Edward, T. Y., Ultra-stable 2D layered methylammonium cadmium trihalide perovskite photoelectrodes. Journal of Materials Chemistry C 2018, 6 (43), 11552-11560. (*Corresponding Author) 
  • Li, Y.; Ji, L.; Liu, R.; Zhang, C.; Mak, C. H.; Zou, X.; Shen, H.-H.; Leu, S.-Y.; Hsu, H.-Y.*, A review on morphology engineering for highly efficient and stable hybrid perovskite solar cells. Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2018, 6 (27), 12842-12875. (*Corresponding Author) (Highlighted as a Hot Article 2018 and featured in the top 5% of most read articles in J. Mater. Chem. A) (Selected in a Themed Collection– International Year of the Periodic Table: From Pb and Sn Perovskites to the Next Generation in Royal Society of Chemistry 2019)
  • Zou, X.†*; Ji, L.Hsu, H.-Y.; Zheng, K.; Pang, Z.; Lu, X., Designed synthesis of SiC nanowire-derived carbon with dual-scale nanostructures for supercapacitor applications. Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2018, 6 (26), 12724-12732. (Equal Contribution, *Corresponding Author)
  • Zhang, C.; Liu, R.; Mak, C. H.; Zou, X.; Shen, H.-H.; Leu, S.-Y.; Ji, L.; Hsu, H.-Y.*, Photophysics of organic photovoltaic devices: a reviewJournal of Photonics for Energy 2018, 8 (2), 021001-021026. (Invited Review)
  • Ji, L.; Hsu, H.-Y.*; Lee, J. C.; Bard, A. J.; Yu, E. T., High-performance photodetectors based on solution-processed epitaxial grown hybrid halide perovskites. Nano Letters 2018, 18 (2), 994-1000.
  • Ji, L.*Hsu, H.-Y.; Li, X.; Huang, K.; Zhang, Y.; Lee, J. C.; Bard, A. J.; Edward, T. Y., Localized dielectric breakdown and antireflection coating in metal–oxide–semiconductor photoelectrodes. Nature Materials 2017, 16 (1), 127-131. (Equal Contribution, *Corresponding Author)
  • Hsu, H.-Y.; Ji, L.; Ahn, H. S.; Zhao, J.; Yu, E. T.; Bard, A. J., A liquid junction photoelectrochemical solar cell based on p-type MeNH3PbI3 perovskite with 1.05 V open-circuit photovoltage. Journal of the American Chemical Society 2015, 137 (46), 14758-14764.
  • Hsu, H.-Y.; Ji, L.; Du, M.; Zhao, J.; Edward, T. Y.; Bard, A. J., Optimization of lead-free organic–inorganic tin (II) halide perovskite semiconductors by scanning electrochemical microscopy. Electrochimica Acta 2016, 220, 205-210.
  • Hsu, H.-Y.; Ji, L.; Du, M.; Zhao, J.; Yu, E. T.; Bard, A. J., Optimization of PbI2/MAPbI3 perovskite composites by scanning electrochemical microscopyThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C 2016, 120 (35), 19890-19895.
  • Lai, T.-H.; Constantinou, I.; Grand, C. M.; Klump, E. D.; Baek, S.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Tsang, S.-W.; Schanze, K. S.; Reynolds, J. R.; So, F., Evidence of molecular structure dependent charge transfer between isoindigo-based polymers and fullerene. Chemistry of Materials 2016, 28 (7), 2433-2440.
  • Zhao, J.; Yin, H.; Lim, T.; Xie, H.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Forouzan, F.; Bard, A. J., Electrodeposition of photoactive silicon films for low-cost solar cells. Journal of The Electrochemical Society 2016, 163 (9), D506-D514.
  • Constantinou, I.; Lai, T. H.; Hsu, H. Y.; Cheung, S. H.; Klump, E. D.; Schanze, K. S.; So, S. K.; So, F., Effect of thermal annealing on charge transfer states and charge trapping in PCDTBT: PC70BM solar cells. Advanced Electronic Materials 2015, 1 (9), 1500167.
  • Hsu, H.-Y.; Vella, J. H.; Myers, J. D.; Xue, J.; Schanze, K. S., Triplet exciton diffusion in platinum polyyne films. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 2014, 118 (42), 24282-24289.
  • Chen, Z.Hsu, H.-Y.; Arca, M.; Schanze, K. S., Triplet energy transport in platinum-acetylide light harvesting arrays. The Journal of Physical Chemistry B 2015, 119 (24), 7198-7209. (Equal Contribution).
  • Richard, C. A.; Pan, Z.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Cekli, S.; Schanze, K. S.; Reynolds, J. R., Effect of Isomerism and Chain Length on Electronic Structure, Photophysics, and Sensitizer Efficiency in Quadrupolar (Donor) 2–Acceptor Systems for Application in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2014, 6 (7), 5221-5227.
  • Hartel, M.; Chen, S.; Swerdlow, B.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Manders, J.; Schanze, K.; So, F., Defect-induced loss mechanisms in polymer–inorganic planar heterojunction solar cells. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2013, 5 (15), 7215-7218.
  • Hsu, H.-Y.; Hsieh, H.-H.; Tuan, H.-Y.; Hwang, J.-L., Oxidized low density polyethylene: A potential cost-effective, stable, and recyclable polymeric encapsulant for photovoltaic modules. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 2010, 94 (6), 955-959.
  • Elangovan, A.; Lin, J.-H.; Yang, S.-W.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Ho, T.-I., Synthesis and electrogenerated chemiluminescence of donor-substituted phenylethynylcoumarins. The The Journal of Organic Chemistry 2004, 70 (3), 1104-1104.
  • Ho, T.-I.; Elangovan, A.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Yang, S.-W., Highly fluorescent N, N-dimethylaminophenylethynylarenes: Synthesis, photophysical properties, and electrochemiluminescence. The Journal of Physical Chemistry B 2005, 109 (18), 8626-8633.
  • Elangovan, A.; Lin, J.-H.; Yang, S.-W.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Ho, T.-I., Synthesis and electrogenerated chemiluminescence of donor-substituted phenylethynylcoumarins. The The Journal of Organic Chemistry 2004, 69 (23), 8086-8092.

Patents (Partial List)

  • Hsu, H.-Y.*; Zhang, C.; Mak, C. H.; Liu, R., Enhanced crystallinity and morphology of cadmium-based perovskite light absorbers. City University of Hong Kong. China Patent Publication No. CN110611032A. December 24, 2019.
  • Liu, R.; Hsu, H.-Y.*; Tang, Y.; Mak, C. H., A method for improving light absorption and photoelectrochemistrical perovskite. City University of Hong Kong. China Patent Application No. 202010619816.8. August 17, 2020.

Books/Book Chapters

  • Ji L.; Zou, X.; Hsu, H.-Y.; Huang, K.; Gao, N.; Zhu, H.; Chen, L.; Sun, Q.; Zhou, P.; Zhang, D. W., 7-Two-dimensional materials as photoelectrodes in water reduction devices for energy applications. In: Emerging 2D Materials and Devices for the Internet of Things. 2020 Elsevier, pp.165-179.
  • Mak, C. H.; Liu, R.; Hsu, H.-Y.*, Ultrafast Spectroscopic Techniques in Photocatalysis. In: Heterogeneous Catalysts: Advanced Design, Characterization, and Applications. 2021 Wiley-VCH Publishing, pp.377-397.
  • Yun, J. H.*; Mak, C. H.; Hsu, H.-Y.*; NG Y. H.*, Non-Noble Plasmonic Enhancement (NNPE), 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Published, under 2nd review.
  • Mak, C. H.; Yun, J. H.*; NG Y. H.*Hsu, H.-Y.*, 2D materials Based Heterostructures. 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Published, under 2nd review.

Medium Publications (Partial List)

Selected Awards and Honors


Academics and Research

  • Graduate School Fellowship Award, University of Florida, 2014.
  • Outstanding Teaching Assistant, University of Florida, 2011.
  • Outstanding Research Quality Award for c-Si solar cell module project, Photovoltaics Technology Center, Industrial Technology Research Institute, 2009.
  • Outstanding Research Quality Award for thin film solar cell project, Photovoltaics Technology Center, Industrial Technology Research Institute, 2008.


Training and Teaching

  • Green Energy Dream Come True Competition-1st-runner-up (undergraduate student, Miss Sze Yiu Sylvia OU), Hongkong Electric, 2022.
  • HKIE Environmental Division Prize for 2020-2021 Best Final-Year Environmental Project-2nd Runner-up (undergraduate student, Mr. Man Hin CHONG), Environmental Division, Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, 2022.
  • Outstanding Final Year Project Award-1st runner-up (undergraduate student, Man Hin CHONG), School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, 2021.
  • Outstanding Academic Performance Award (Ph.D. student, Rugeng LIU), City University of Hong Kong, 2019.
Staff Image
Sam HSU
Contact Information
Office: YEUNG-B5427
Phone: +(852)-3442-5412
Fax: +(852)-3442-0688
Email: sam.hyhsu@cityu.edu.hk

Time slots for consultation

Research Interests
  • Dynamic interfacial interaction
  • Waste-to-energy technology
  • Organic matter degradation
  • Material Design and Synthesis
  • Electrochemiluminescence
  • Solar power generation
  • Solar fuel production