Job Description

This project involves investigating the growth and chemical activity of bimetallic nanoclusters deposited on single-crystal surfaces as model systems for understanding heterogeneous catalysts. Specifically, we are interested in understanding how the surface chemistry of oxide-supported metal nanoclusters is affected by cluster size, structure, metal-oxide interactions and metal-metal interactions in bimetallic clusters. A variable-temperature ultrahigh vacuum STM is used to study the size and structure of the metal nanoclusters and to image the surface on the atomic level during reaction processes. Low energy ion scattering will be used to monitor the surface composition of the bimetallic clusters. Temperature programmed desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy will also be employed to identify and characterize reaction products and intermediates. Activity of these model systems will be investigated under realistic catalytic conditions using a microreactor attached to the ultrahigh vacuum chamber. Our group also has a number of collaborations with colleagues in the chemical engineering department to bridge the gap between fundamental studies on model surfaces and real catalysis. The successful candidate must have extensive experience with ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) work, and candidates with experience in UHV scanning tunneling microscopy are preferred.

Informal inquiries can be made to Dr. Donna Chen at [email protected]

To find out more about these and other projects in the group please visit our home page at https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/chemistry_and_biochemistry/our_people/directory/chen_donna.php