John R. Morris

Bio: John R. Morris is an academic researcher from Virginia Tech. The author has contributed to research in topics: Adsorption & Infrared spectroscopy. The author has an hindex of 22, co-authored 49 publications receiving 1076 citations.

Heterogeneous chemistry and reaction dynamics of the atmospheric oxidants, O3, NO3, and OH, on organic surfaces

Abstract: Heterogeneous chemistry of the most important atmospheric oxidants, O3, NO3, and OH, plays a central role in regulating atmospheric gas concentrations, processing aerosols, and aging materials. Recent experimental and computational studies have begun to reveal the detailed reaction mechanisms and kinetics for gas-phase O3, NO3, and OH when they impinge on organic surfaces. Through new research approaches that merge the fields of traditional surface science with atmospheric chemistry, researchers are developing an understanding for how surface structure and functionality affect interfacial chemistry with this class of highly oxidizing pollutants. Together with future research initiatives, these studies will provide a more complete description of atmospheric chemistry and help others more accurately predict the properties of aerosols, the environmental impact of interfacial oxidation, and the concentrations of tropospheric gases.

A New Interleukin-13 Amino-Coated Gadolinium Metallofullerene Nanoparticle for Targeted MRI Detection of Glioblastoma Tumor Cells.

Abstract: The development of new nanoparticles as next-generation diagnostic and therapeutic (“theranostic”) drug platforms is an active area of both chemistry and cancer research. Although numerous gadolinium (Gd) containing metallofullerenes as diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents have been reported, the metallofullerene cage surface, in most cases, consists of negatively charged carboxyl or hydroxyl groups that limit attractive forces with the cellular surface. It has been reported that nanoparticles with a positive charge will bind more efficiently to negatively charged phospholipid bilayer cellular surfaces, and will more readily undergo endocytosis. In this paper, we report the preparation of a new functionalized trimetallic nitride template endohedral metallofullerene (TNT EMF), Gd3N@C80(OH)x(NH2)y, with a cage surface bearing positively charged amino groups (−NH3+) and directly compare it with a similar carboxyl and hydroxyl functionalized derivative. This new nanoparticle was charact...

Ultraviolet and Visible Photochemistry of Methanol at 3D Mesoporous Networks: TiO2 and Au–TiO2

Abstract: Comparison of methanol photochemistry at three-dimensionally (3D) networked aerogels of TiO2 or Au–TiO2 reveals that incorporated Au nanoparticles strongly sensitize the oxide nanoarchitecture to visible light. Methanol dissociatively adsorbs at the surfaces of TiO2 and Au–TiO2 aerogels under dark, high-vacuum conditions. Upon irradiation of either ultraporous material with broadband UV light under anaerobic conditions, adsorbed methoxy groups act as hole-traps and extend conduction-band and shallow-trapped electron lifetimes. A higher excited-state electron density arises for UV-irradiated TiO2 aerogel relative to commercial nanoparticulate TiO2, indicating that 3D networked TiO2 more efficiently separates electron–hole pairs. Upon excitation with narrow-band visible light centered at 550 nm, long-lived excited-state electrons are evident on CH3OH-exposed Au–TiO2 aerogels—but not on identically dosed TiO2 aerogels—verifying that incorporated Au nanoparticles sensitize the networked oxide to visible light...

Reactions of C=C-terminated self-assembled monolayers with gas-phase ozone.

Abstract: Reactions of gas-phase ozone with alkene-terminated alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers on Au are explored using reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS). The experiments are performed by using a directional doser to control the ozone flux onto the surface and in situ high vacuum techniques to eliminate reactions with atmospheric contaminants. We find that reactions between ozone and the C=C terminal group proceed through the formation of a carboxylic acid moiety that subsequently converts to an interchain carboxylic acid anhydride.

The ONIOM Method and Its Applications

Abstract: Lung Wa Chung,† W. M. C. Sameera,‡ Romain Ramozzi,‡ Alister J. Page, Miho Hatanaka,‡ Galina P. Petrova, Travis V. Harris,‡,⊥ Xin Li, Zhuofeng Ke, Fengyi Liu, Hai-Bei Li, Lina Ding, and Keiji Morokuma*,‡ †Department of Chemistry, South University of Science and Technology of China, Shenzhen 518055, China ‡Fukui Institute for Fundamental Chemistry, Kyoto University, 34-4 Takano Nishihiraki-cho, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8103, Japan Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, Australia Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sofia, Bulgaria Boulevard James Bourchier 1, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Oswego, Oswego, New York 13126, United States State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710119, China School of Ocean, Shandong University, Weihai 264209, China School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China

Metal–organic frameworks for the removal of toxic industrial chemicals and chemical warfare agents

Abstract: Owing to the vast diversity of linkers, nodes, and topologies, metal–organic frameworks can be tailored for specific tasks, such as chemical separations or catalysis. Accordingly, these materials have attracted significant interest for capture and/or detoxification of toxic industrial chemicals and chemical warfare agents. In this paper, we review recent experimental and computational work pertaining to the capture of several industrially-relevant toxic chemicals, including NH3, SO2, NO2, H2S, and some volatile organic compounds, with particular emphasis on the challenging issue of designing materials that selectively adsorb these chemicals in the presence of water. We also examine recent research on the capture and catalytic degradation of chemical warfare agents such as sarin and sulfur mustard using metal–organic frameworks.