FACULTY PROFILE
Brian W. Gregory
Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Ph.D., University of Georgia
M.S., Furman University
B.S., Furman University
Faculty Research Interests RESEARCH GROUP WEBPAGE
Research in my 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 the structure and properties of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of long-chain 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.
In addition, 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 desorbed electrochemically from the gold surfaces into LC-MS compatible solvents, and the relative proportions are 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 "analytically"-oriented side (LC-MS of mixed SAMs).
Recent Publications
Standard, J.M.; Gregory, B.W.; Clark, B.K. Computational studies of copper, silver, and gold alkanethiolates and alkaneselenates. J. Mol. Struct. (THEOCHEM) 2007, 803, 103-113.
Niki, K.; Gregory, B.W. Electrochemistry of redox-active proteins immobilized on self-assembled monolayers of organothiols, in Biomolecular Films: Design, Function, and Applications, Surfactant Science Series, Ed. J. F. Rusling (Marcel Dekker: New York, 2003), Chp. 2 .
Avila, A.; Gregory, B.W.; Clark, B.K.; Standard, J.M.; Cotton, T.M. Image potential surface states localized at chemisorbed dielectric-metal interfaces, Langmuir 2002, 18, 4709-4719.
Primary Teaching Responsibilities
Foundations of Chemistry (CHEM 205)
Foundations of Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 206)
Quantitative Analysis (CHEM 325)
Quantitative Analysis Laboratory (CHEM 326)
Unified Laboratory I (CHEM 370)
Unified Laboratory II (CHEM 375)
Spectroscopy (CHEM 425)
Senior Seminar (CHEM 460)
Quantitative Methods for Environmental Decision Makers (ENVM 503)
CONTACT INFO:
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Samford University
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL
35229-2236
Office: SCI 323
Phone: (205) 726-4213
Fax: (205) 726-2479
Email: bwgregor@samford.edu
Updated // 8.15.08
