Robert Scott Assistant Professor of Chemistry Physical and Inorganic Materials Chemistry B. Sc. University of Western Ontario Ph. D. University of Toronto Post-Doc Texas A&M University Office: Thorvaldson 260 Phone: (306) 966-2017 E-mail: robert.scott@usask.ca Web: http://www.usask.ca/chemistry/groups/scott/

Research Interests

My research interests lie primarily in the development of new materials for specific applications and gaining architectural control over existing materials in order to control their properties, thus allowing in-depth explorations of structure-property relationships. Specifically, my interests lie in the fascinating world of nanoscale solid-state sensors and catalysts, and the substantial connections which exist between catalytic activity and sensor responses of many materials. Projects will involve the synthesis of functional nanostructured materials utilizing templating strategies, thorough characterization of the properties of these materials, and attempts to understand the structure-property relationships which govern their behaviour. My research will focus on the following areas:

1. Development of heterogeneous catalysts and solid-state sensors based on well-defined nanoparticles supported on oxide supports. This work will involve the synthesis and characterization of well-defined nanoparticle precursors and incorporation of the nanoparticles into sol-gel syntheses.

2. Synthesis of materials using ionic liquids as unique solvents.

3. Fabrication and characterization of highly-sensitive solid-state nanowire gas sensors through templating routes.

Students working with me will develop skills in a wide range of spectroscopic and microscopic analytical techniques used to understand the fundamental properties of nanoscale materials. In addition, research plans involve the use of facilities at the newly-opened Canadian Light Source (CLS) for materials characterization. I currently have several openings available for interested graduate students, as well as undergraduate students wishing to get summer research experience. Please feel free to contact me for more details.

Representative Publications

1. P. Dash, R. W. J. Scott, Chem. Comm. 2009, 812.; "1-Methylimidazole Stabilization of Gold Nanoparticles in Imidazolium Ionic Liquids".

2. P. Dash, N. A. Dehm, R. W. J. Scott, J. Mol. Catal. A: Chem. 2008, 286, 114.; "Bimetallic PdAu Nanoparticles as Hydrogenation Catalysts in Imidazolium Ionic Liquids".

3. M. Dasog, A. Kavianpour, M. F. Paige, H. B. Kraatz, R. W. J. Scott, Can. J. Chem. 2008, 86, 368.; "Chemical functionalization and modification of surface-bound cystamine-glycine monolayers on gold nanoparticles ".

4. W. Hou, N. A. Dehm, R. W. J. Scott, J. Catalysis 2008 , 253, 22.; "Alcohol oxidations in aqueous solutions using Au, Pd, and bimetallic AuPd nanoparticle catalysts".

5. M. Dasog, R. W. J. Scott, Langmuir 2007, 23, 3381.; "Understanding the Oxidative stability of Au MPCs in the presence of halide ions under ambient conditions".

6. R. W. J. Scott, C. Sivadinarayana, O. M. Wilson, Z. Yan, D. W. Goodman, R. M. Crooks, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 1380.; “Titania-supported PdAu bimetallic catalysts prepared from dendrimer-encapsulated nanoparticle precursors".

7. R. W. J. Scott, O. M. Wilson, R. M. Crooks, J. Phys. Chem. B 2005, 109, 692.; "Synthesis, characterization, and applications of dendrimer-encapsulated nanoparticles".

8. O. M. Wilson, R. W. J. Scott, J. C. Garcia-Martinez, R. M. Crooks, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 1015.; "Synthesis, characterization, and structure-selective extraction of 1-3nm diameter AuAg dendrimer-encapsulated bimetallic nanoparticles".

9. R. W. J. Scott, O. M. Wilson, S.-K. Oh, E. A. Kenik, R. M. Crooks, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 15583.; "Bimetallic palladium-gold dendrimer encapsulated catalysts".