Welcome to the Brian W. Gregory Research Group Webpage!

Updated // 11.10.07

Research in our group centers on studies of the structure and properties of surfaces and novel interfacial films (both organic and inorganic) using electrochemistry, surface vibrational spectroscopies, scanning probe microscopy, and other techniques. Our most recent work has involved Raman spectroscopy studies of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiols chemically bound to gold and silver surfaces. In particular, our group has been focusing on the details (as revealed by mathematical modeling of the Raman data) concerning the nature of the electronic structure at the metal-sulfur interface since little is known about this region of the film. These Raman/modeling studies of the alkanethiol SAMs continue through existing collaborations with individuals at both the University of Georgia and Illinois State University.

 

Latest News!

Updated // 11.10.07

Our group recently received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to purchase a liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) to study multi-component SAMs. Specifically, the LC-MS is being used to quantify the relative proportions of constituents in mixed binary alkanethiol SAMs on gold surfaces, where the two alkanethiol constituents differ in either chain length, end group, or both. These films are to be desorbed electrochemically from the gold surfaces into LC-MS compatible solvents, and the relative proportions quantified by mass spectrometry. LC-MS is highly desirable for these studies since it exhibits the sensitivity to detect monolayer and submonolayer quantities of materials and allows one to examine the stripping solutions directly with minimal loss of material. It is expected that these studies will benefit the wider thin film community, particularly those having an interest in systematic control over interfacial film properties.

Given that the two projects described above are intimately related, students working in our group have the option to be involved with the more "physical chemistry"-oriented side (Raman/modeling studies) or the more "analytical chemistry"-oriented side (LC-MS of mixed SAMs).

© 2008 Brian W. Gregory. Site design by Brian W. Gregory and gorotron.