The Surface Chemistry and Catalysis Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory The group conducts research into surface chemistry and catalytic mechanisms of metal oxides related to automotive exhaust catalysis, catalytic properties of uranium oxide, and catalysis by mesoporous materials. Extensive synthetic capabilities exist within the group for preparation of mesoporous materials and nanocatalysts, and an array of techniques for characterizing physical properties and catalytic properties of these materials are in place or are currently being developed. This research program also takes advantage of the unique resources at ORNL such as small angle x-ray and neutron scattering, neutron scattering at the High Flux Isotope Reactor and, in the future, the Spallation Neutron Source, structural analysis by a variety of electron microscopes and scanned probe microscopes. A wide variety of other facilities for routine and novel techniques are also utilized including the Center for Nanophase Materials Science.

The Surface Chemistry and Catalysis Group specializes in:

Surface chemistry and catalytic properties of metal oxides related to automotive
        exhaust catalysis
Catalysts supported on uranium oxide
Synthesis and characterization of meosporous supports and nanocatalyst materials
Synthesis and fabrication of nanowires, gel cast catalysts and materials for neutron         detectors, and molten glasses
Ionic liquids and molecular imprinting
In situ characterization of uranium compounds

Facilities:

Surface reactions studied by thermal desorption, photoelectron spectroscopy and         vibrational spectroscopy.
Surface structure studied by low energy electron diffraction, photoelectron diffraction         and soft x-ray photoabsorption.
Materials analysis by Positron Lifetime Spectroscopy and beam positron         spectroscopies.
Soft X-ray Beamline U12a at the National Synchrotron Light Source.
Microscopic Raman spectroscopy.
Synthesis laboratory.

Catalyst characterization by:

BET	XRD	SAXS	SANS
FTIR	Plug-flow reactor	Solid State NMR
TEM / STEM / z-contrast microscopy

For more information, contact Steve Overbury at (865) 574-5040.

                Provided by Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Chemical Sciences Division          
                                       Rev:   September 2006