Dr Roger M. Nix

Senior Lecturer in Physical Chemistry
BA PhD (Cantab) CChem MRSC

School of Biological & Chemical Sciences
Queen Mary, University of London
Walter Besant Building, Mile End Road
London
E1 4NS
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7882 3273
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7882 7427
email: R.M.Nix@qmul.ac.uk

Research Interests

The main theme of research is the fundamental investigation of the surface chemistry associated with catalytic reactions on metals and oxides, with emphasis on the elucidation of the kinetics and mechanisms of the key surface processes, and the influence of surface structure on such reactions. Surface sensitive techniques such as XPS and molecular beam scattering are used to study the adsorption and reactions of molecules on various well-defined surfaces (single crystal and epitaxial film surfaces), whilst the direct transfer of samples to a high pressure cell permits the study of the kinetics of catalytic reactions on these same surfaces at comparatively high pressures. IR spectroscopy is another technique employed to identify key intermediates in the surface chemistry.

The other main topic of research is concerned with investigation of the growth of well-defined films of semiconducting and insulating materials (especially oxides) by both physical evaporation techniques (MBE) and by reactive growth from volatile molecular precursors (MOCVD/MBE).

The surface science research laboratory at Queen Mary is equipped with three UHV surface analysis systems, incorporating a range of spectroscopic techniques such as:

• X-ray & UV Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS, UPS)
• Surface Infrared Spectroscopy (RAIRS, MIR)
• Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES)
• Temperature Programmed Studies (TPD, TPRS)
• Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED)
• Molecular Beam Scattering (MBS)

Research Services

The group is able to provide routine Surface Characterisation Service by XPS (ESCA) analysis of solid samples (with facilities for in situ treatment of samples at high pressures and temperatures) and more extended analysis of surface phenomena as a part of longer term projects.

Web Services

The following services are maintained at Queen Mary :

• Surface Science Links : an extensive directory of links to other research groups in the field of surface science, relevant software, discussion groups and useful surface science web servers.
• An Introduction to Surface Chemistry : a comprehensive set of web-based tutorials appropriate for undergraduate and M.Sc. courses in surface science/chemistry.

Selected Publications

• Adsorption of hydrogen and disilane on Si(100) and Si-Ge surfaces.
  Y.M. Wu and R.M. Nix.
  Surf. Sci. , 1994, 306 , 59-68.
• Hydrogen Cyanide Synthesis on Polycrystalline Platinum and 90:10 Platinum-Rhodium Surfaces.
  A. Bockholt, I.S. Harding and R M Nix.
  JCS - Faraday Transactions , 1997, 93 , 3869-3878.
• Molecular Adsorption Characteristics of Lanthanum Oxide Surfaces: the Interaction of Water with Oxide Overlayers grown on Cu(111).
  A.M. De Asha, J.T.S. Critchley and R.M.Nix.
  Surf. Sci. , 1998, 405 , 201-214.
• Interaction of Methanol with Well-Defined Ceria Surfaces: Reflection/Absorption Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, and Temperature-Programmed Desorption Study.
  A. Siokou and R.M.Nix.
  J. Phys. Chem. B , 1999, 103 , 6984-6997.
• A novel approach to the epitaxial growth of CeO2 films on Si(111).
  J. Zarraga-Colina, R.M. Nix and H. Weiss.
  Surf. Sci. , 2004, 563 , L251-255.
• Growth and characterisation of zirconia surfaces on Cu(111).
  A. Paulidou and R.M. Nix
  Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2005, 7, 1482-1489.
• Growth, structure and stability of ceria films on Si(111) and the application of CaF2 buffer layers.
  J. Zarraga-Colina, R.M. Nix and H. Weiss
  J. Phys. Chem. B 2005, 109, 10978-10985.
• Model NSR Catalysts: Fabrication and Reactivity of Barium Oxide Layers on Cu(111).
  A. Tsami, F. Grillo, M. Bowker and R.M. Nix
  Surf. Sci.. 2006, 600, 3403-3418.
• Fabrication of model Pt-ceria catalysts and an analysis of their performance for CO oxidation.
  J. Zarraga-Colina and R.M. Nix
  Surf. Sci.. 2006, 600, 3058-3071.

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