Chemistry

Kathryn A. Perrine

Kathryn A. Perrine

Contact

  • Associate Professor, Chemistry
  • Affiliated Associate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
  • Postdoctoral Scholar, University of California, Irvine
  • Visiting Scientist, California Institute of Technology
  • PhD, University of Delaware
  • BS, University of South Carolina

Biography

The Perrine research group focuses on understanding reactions and processes at surfaces and interfaces, from pure metals, oxides, minerals to heterogeneous catalysts. We use a surface chemistry and surface science approach to connect molecular-level reactions at the gas/solid and liquid/solid interface. We also design meso- and nano-architectured materials using surface functionalization methods for next-generation heterogeneous catalysts and materials. Our aim is to understand the fundamental physical and chemical processes at interfaces to unravel surface mechanisms and transformations of materials, addressing challenges in energy and environmental science.

A variety of surface analysis instruments are utilized to understand surface chemistry, including vibrational spectroscopy, electron spectroscopies, electron beam imaging, atomic force/probe microscopy, and mass spectrometry. Our program is multidisciplinary encompassing the fields of chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering.

Links of Interest

Research Interests

  • Surface chemistry and interfacial science 
  • Bridging reactions at the gas/solid and liquid/solid interfaces under model (ultra-high vacuum) and real (near ambient pressure) conditions
  • Growth, properties, and reactions on complex surfaces for energy and environmental applications
  • Designing metal and oxide architectures and nanostructured materials using tailored bottom-up approaches; growth techniques including, atomic layer deposition, physical vapor deposition, self-assembly, solution nucleation