The Physical Organic Chemistry Group at ORNL conducts research on the synthesis, structure, properties, and reactivity of organic chemicals, fuels, polymers, and hybrid materials. An integrated approach is employed involving synthesis (often with isotopic labels), product analysis, determination of reaction kinetics and mechanisms, structural interrogation via spectroscopic methods, and computational methods. Basic and applied research is conducted under the sponsorship of the Department of Energy, other federal agencies, and private corporations. The research group consists of permanent staff, postdoctoral associates, and guests on short-term assignments (e.g. university faculty, graduate and undergraduate students).

Research emphasis areas include the following: the structure and reactivity of fuel materials such as coal, kerogen, and biomass; organic chemistry on the surfaces of inorganic nanoparticles and in mesoporous solids; thermal and catalyzed decomposition reactions for organic compounds, polymers, and surface-bound organic films; synthesis and characterization of self-organizing polymers; chemistry of carbon nanotubes and polymer composites; development of advanced NMR spectroscopic methods for analysis of fossil and renewable fuels, polymers, mesoporous solids and catalytic materials; steady-state and transient optical spectroscopic investigations of organics in organic-inorganic hybrid materials; and development of molecular and ionic recognition materials for chemical sensors. In addition to the standard instrumentation required to conduct organic chemistry research, advanced capabilities in multinuclear solid-state NMR spectroscopy, photochemical and photophysical measurements on solids, and characterization of organic polymers are emphasized.

For more information, contact A. C. Buchanan at (865) 576-2168.

Provided by Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Chemical Sciences Division          
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