30th Anniversary of the Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong

Abstract

As we mark the 30th anniversary of the Department of Chemistry at City University of Hong Kong, it is a privilege to reflect on three decades of remarkable achievements and to envisage the future pathways that this esteemed department will undoubtedly pave. This special issue of Small Methods, titled “30th anniversary of the Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong” showcases the groundbreaking research conducted by our faculty, whose expertise spans across various fundamental and applied sciences.

The Department of Chemistry at CityU has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence, with a community comprising 32 faculty members. This diverse team is at the forefront of their respective fields, contributing profoundly to our understanding and capabilities in multiple scientific arenas. Our faculty's impact is globally recognized, with eight members listed as Clarivate Analytics’ Highly Cited Researchers (HCR) in 2023, and 20 recognized among the top 2% of the world's most highly cited scientists. Such accolades not only reflect individual excellence but also underscore the collective scholarly impact of the department on the global scientific community. The department's research areas are vast and impactful, ranging from Inorganic Chemistry to Computational Chemistry, and from Chemical Biology to Energy and Environmental Science. This multidisciplinary approach has fostered innovative research and collaborations, pushing the boundaries of traditional science.

In this special issue, we highlight several pioneering studies that exemplify the depth and breadth of research conducted at the department. The provided titles span a range of specialized topics within different areas of chemistry, particularly focusing on synthesis, materials science, and applied chemistry. Here's a summary organized into relevant chemical sub-disciplines:

In the field of Organometallic Chemistry and Electroluminescence, Prof. Yun Chi and co-workers report the design and synthesis of a series of Ir(III) complexes by controlling the substituents on imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin-2-ylidene to construct efficient blue emissive OLEDs (article number 202301555). Prof. Kenneth Yin Zhang and co-workers demonstrate five phosphorescent iridium(III) complexes featuring viologen-substituted 2-phenylpyridine ligands as electroactive components for electroluminochromic devices with reversible luminescence response under a low voltage (article number 202400113).

In the field of Biochemistry and Therapeutic Applications, Prof. Chun-Yuen Wong and co-workers construct a glucose-responsive nanosystem with dual functions of monitoring glucose levels and high insulin-loading capacity (article number 202400159). Prof. Hongyan Sun and co-workers demonstrate the enzyme-instructed in situ fibrillar transformation of peptide/photosensitizer co-assembled nanoparticles to enhance photodynamic therapy (article number 202301551). Prof. Pik Kwan Lo and co-workers design and synthesize two threose nucleic acid strands as antisense materials targeting therapeutic Akt genes for triple-negative breast cancer therapy (article number 202400291). Prof. Yudai Matsuda and co-workers investigate the relationship between the substrate-binding residues of C-methyltransferase domains in fungal nonreducing polyketide synthases and their methylation programming (article number 202400107). Prof. Ka-Leung Wong and co-workers discover an efficient strategy for peptide cyclization and functionalization toward lanthanide probes via three-component intermolecular crosslinking on solid-phase peptide synthesis with a high conversion yield (article number 202400006). Prof. Tao Zhang and co-workers report a strategy to engineer a near-infrared fluorescence/photoacoustic dual-modality probe (Cl-HDN3) to achieve the sensitive and selective detection of H₂S in vivo (article number 202400122). Prof. Lo and coworkers explore the potential of transition metal complexes in photodynamic therapy (PDT), highlighting innovative design strategies and discussing the challenges and future of their clinical application in their review on leveraging photofunctions for advanced phytotherapeutics (article number 202400563).

In the field of Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry, Prof. Zonglong Zhu and co-workers present a comprehensive review of advancements in solar-powered electrochemical energy conversion systems, laying a solid foundation for future research and development in the field of energy sustainability (article number 202400683). Prof. Jijian Xu and co-workers present an overview of the latest progress in electrolytes and the challenges of interfacial chemistry, discussing the interplay between solvation chemistry and interfacial reactions across various harsh temperatures (article number 202400183). Prof. Vivian W. W. Yam and co-workers report two robust nitrogen-rich covalent organic frameworks (COFs) bearing terpyridine units, showing excellent removal efficiency and capability for heavy metal ions (article number 202400465).

In the field of Materials Chemistry, Prof. Hua Zhang and co-workers report a crystal-phase-selective etching method to selectively etch the unconventional 4H and 2H phases in the heterophase Au nanostructures, opening up a new way for the preparation of novel and complicated hollow nanomaterials with desired composition (article number 202400430). Prof. Fung Yee Nora Tam and co-workers review the recent research advancements in the design, fabrication, material selection, and detection methods of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (article number 202400155). Prof. Alex K.-Y. Jen and co-workers report the application of solid additives for stable organic solar cells (article number 202400172). Prof. Thuc Hue Ly and co-workers review the applications of scanning probe microscopy to 2D materials (article number 202400211). Prof. Ruquan Ye and co-workers present a comprehensive review of Laser-induced graphene (LIG) evolution and the progress of LIG-based sensors (article number 202400118).

In the field of Polymer and Nanomaterial Chemistry, Prof. Mengsu Yang and co-workers report a novel strategy for high extracellular vesicle (EV) enrichment by utilizing EV-affiliative modified cellulose nanofibrils, opening new avenues in various biomedical applications (article number 202400426). Prof. Qichun Zhang and co-workers demonstrate the construction of two N-containing poly(p-phenylene) films (CityU-23 and CityU-24) by an electrochemical-dehalogenation polymerization strategy (article number 202400185). Prof. Jingdong Luo and co-workers investigate the optical absorption edge of guest-host nonlinear optical polymers by the Tauc model and a new Monolog-Lorentz model (article number 202400162).

In the field of Catalysis and CO₂ Reduction, Prof. Xin Wang and co-workers present a newly synthesized N4-macrocyclic cobalt complex incorporating the quaterpyridine moiety as effective electrocatalysts for CO₂ reduction reaction with high selectivity (article number 202400627). Prof. Zhanxi Fan and co-workers review the recent advances in electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction on pristine Cu-based coordination compounds with different types of Cu active sites (article number 202400432).

These topics showcase innovative research in their respective fields, addressing both fundamental chemistry and applications toward technological, environmental, and health-related challenges.

As we celebrate these past achievements, we also look forward to the future, driven by curiosity and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. The Department of Biology and Chemistry at CityU remains dedicated to advancing science for the betterment of society through education, research, and innovation. This special issue not only commemorates our past but also sparks a dialogue about the future directions of scientific inquiry and technological development. We invite readers to explore the rich tapestry of research articles presented here, each a testament to the vibrant intellectual environment at CityU.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.