Ph.D. awarded January 2009 in applied physics.

Current Research Interests

Properties and Reactivity of OH and H2O on O-Covered Au(111): It is known that water is activated toward reactions such as CO oxidation on Au surfaces in the presence of atomic oxygen. However, little is known about the nature of this activated water. We are investigating the evolution of H2O and OH species on the surface of O-covered Au(111) as a function of water exposure using temperature programmed reaction spectroscopy and reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, we are looking at the influence of OH and H2O on product distributions for styrene and propene epoxidation.

Molecular Interactions with Water on Metal Oxide Surfaces: Reactions of NOx, SO2, O3, and oxygenated hydrocarbons on oxide surfaces in high relative humidity are important in areas such as atmospheric chemistry and environmental catalysis. We are investigating the reactivity of metal oxides such as rutile TiO2 in the presence of water. We hope to gain further insight into the effect of OH and H2O on gas-oxide surface reaction rates, mechanisms, and products. Also, we are studying how these molecular interactions are affected by materials properties of the metal oxide such as terrace widths and defects. Our research involves reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy, temperature programmed reaction spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction, and Auger electron spectroscopy.