Scott Oliver

Present research interests
Nanoporous and low-dimensional materials for catalysis, pollutant trapping and biomaterials; thin film semiconductors for solar cells and water splitting.

Experimental or theoretical techniques 
Powder X-ray diffractometer (at present, bulk powders only), single crystal X-ray diffractometer, thermogravimetry coupled to a mass spectrometer, UV-Vis, glove box, optical microscopy, programmable oven, vacuum oven, Au sputterer, plasma etcher, contact angle, spin coater.  Other techniques are used off campus.

Past research interests (1-2 lines)
Self-assembled monolayers and microcontact printing for fabrication of multilayered electronic junctions, spintronic junctions and ceramic packaging; macroporous materials for water purification, biomaterials and solid state batteries.

The Oliver group has a broad range research interests in materials science, nanotechnology and inorganic chemistry. Specifically, we are discovering new materials that bear cationic charge. The open space inside these hosts contain anions that can be exchanged for environmentally hazardous anions, both heavy metal inorganic and pharmaceutical organic. The materials are also useful for new catalytic reactions that are not possible with existing nanoporous anionic materials.

We are also working on polymer templating as a strategy to create semiconductor thin films. Here, the polymer is used as a sacrificial template, burned away after nanoparticle growth which also sinters the latter. These films are useful for solar cells, water splitting and photodegradation of dye pollutants. Efficiences are impressive considering the entire process is wet chemical and inexpensive, unlike high vacuum CVD techniques. We are currently optimizing conditions to as well as doping our films to further improve efficiency. New polymer systems are also being investigated.

Our studies are very interdisciplinary, as it combines inorganic, materials and analytical chemistry. We also use a variety of characterization techniques, both within our group and in the department.