The objective of this Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) project, supported in the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, is the characterization of the surface chemistry, structure, and defects of transition metal oxide surfaces that have broad scientific and technological application. Professor Diebold and her undergraduate and graduate students at Tulane University will use a range of surface characterization techniques in this work including scanning tunneling microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ion scattering spectroscopy, and thermal desorption spectroscopy. The aim of this CAREER research project is to probe the formation of defects and the reactivity of these oxide surfaces at the atomic level to establish a foundation for understanding the chemistry that occurs at these surfaces. Educational thrusts beyond involvement of students in this research involve the development of a new surface science course to complement the laboratory experience and an outreach and mentoring program centered around the establishment of a mobile scanning tunneling microscopy laboratory. Transition metal oxide surfaces are used in the fabrication of gas sensors, catalysts, coatings for corrosion protection, and environmental degradation systems. Professor Diebold and her students at Tulane University will apply several surface spectroscopic methods that provide atomic scale spatial resolution to the study of the chemistry, structure, and defects of transition metal oxide surfaces with support of this CAREER research project. The chemistry that occurs at the surfaces of these oxides is highly dependent on the structures that exist there. Knowledge of how these structures control these chemical reactions will be produced by this work. This hands-on experimental program will have a positive educational impact on the undergraduate and graduate students working on this project. Portable scanning tunneling microscopy experiments and other surface science experiments will be developed to bring the excitement of this work to high school students in the New Orleans and Mississippi Delta areas. This activity will raise these students' awareness of the excitement that can be experienced in a scientific career.
