Directory: Faculty

Scott L. Anderson

Scott L. Anderson

PHYSICAL & ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY

Professor

B.A. Rice University, 1977
Ph.D. University of California at Berkeley, 1981
Postdoctoral, Stanford University, 1981-83

Phone: (801) 585-7289

Office:1216 HEB-N

Email: anderson@chemistry.utah.edu

Research Group

Publications - for PDFs see Research Group page

Activities & Awards

Research Interests

The major focus of my research is on the dynamics of chemical reactions, especially in extending dynamics studies to relatively complex systems, ranging from polyatomic molecules to clusters and surfaces.  In addition, I have related interests in analytical chemistry, energetic materials, spectroscopy, film growth, and nanomaterials.

Typical Experiments:


Mode-Selective Chemistry.Different reactant vibrations can strongly affect the chemistry of small polyatomic molecules.

Effect of stretching and bending vibration on the reaction of acetylene with methane

Effect of stretching and bending vibration on the reaction of acetylene with methane

For example, in reaction of H2CO+ with CD4, all H2CO+ vibrations suppress reaction, while CD4 distortion gives a 4x enhancement.  Such effects give insight into reaction mechanisms and also raise the possibility to control chemistry by selective excitation.  Experimentally, we study such reactions using laser excitation and guided-beam scattering.  Theoretically, we use quantum chemistry and direct dynamics trajectory methods to help understand the origin of the vibrational effects.

Size-selected Nanocluster Catalysts. Strong effects of cluster sizeWe have developed a technique for depositing size-selected nanoclusters on single crystal surfaces in UHV.  We are studying the chemistry of these supported nano-catalysts with a combination of electron and ion spectroscopies, and reaction mass spectrometry.  Strong effects of cluster size are observed (see figure), related to the cluster structure and interactions with the support.

core/shell/shell nanoparticlesNano-particles as combined fuel and combustion catalyst. We are exploring use of core/shell/shell nanoparticles as a combined combustion catalyst and high energy density fuel. Application is to PDE, ramjet and rocket propulsion, where the outer shell catalyzes combustion of the primary fuel, and the core (aluminum or boron) burns when the temperature is high enough. Substantial catalytic effects on both combustion rate and product distributions are found.

topSelected Publications