Christopher T. Williams

Associate Professor

II. Honors and Awards

• USC Golden Key Award for Creative Integration of Research and Undergraduate Teaching (2004)
• NSF-CAREER Award (2001)
• NSF-NATO Postdoctoral Fellowship (1997-98)
• Purdue University Magoon Award for Excellence in Teaching (1997)
• Purdue University School of Chemical Engineering Research Excellence Award (1997)

III. Fellowships and Memberships

• American Institute of Chemical Engineers
• American Chemical Society
• American Vacuum Society
• North American Catalysis Society
• Southeastern Catalysis Society
• American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Tau Beta Pi

IV. Publications

43. "Degradation Characteristics of Elastomeric Gasket Materials in a Simulated PEM Fuel Cell Environment," J. Tan, Y. J. Chao, M. Yang, C. T. Williams, and J. W. Van Zee, J. Mater. Eng. Perform., in press (2008).
42. "Characterization and Evaluation of Ag-Pt/SiO₂ Catalysts Prepared by Electroless Deposition," M. T. Schaal, A. C. Pickerell, C. T. Williams, J. R. Monnier, J. Catal. 254(1), 131-143 (2008).
43. "Acetonitrile Adsorption on Polycrystalline Platinum: An in Situ Investigation Using Sum Frequency Spectroscopy," S. B. Waldrup, C. T. Williams, J. Phys. Chem. C, 112(1), 219-226 (2008).
40. “Hydrogenation of 3,4-Epoxy-1-Butene over Cu-Pd/SiO₂ Prepared by Electroless Deposition,” M. T. Schaal, A. Y. Metcalf, J. H. Montoya, J. P. Wilkinson, C. C. Stork, C. T. Williams, and J. R. Monnier, Catal. Today, 123(1-4), 142-150 (2007).
39. “FTIR Investigation of the Thermal Decomposition of Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) Dendrimers and Dendrimer-Metal Nanocomposites Supported on Al₂O₃ and ZrO2,” D. S. Deutsch, A. Siani, P. T. Fanson, H. Hirata, S. Matsumoto, C. T. Williams, and M. D. Amiridis, J. Phys. Chem. C, 111(11), 4246-4255 (2007).
38. “In Situ Studies of Butyronitrile Adsorption and Hydrogenation on Pt/Al₂O₃ using Attenuated Total Reflection Infrared Spectroscopy,” I. Ortiz-Hernandez and C. T. Williams, Langmuir, 23(6), 3172-3178 (2007).
37. “Probing Powder Supported Catalysts with Sum Frequency Spectroscopy,” S. B. Waldrup and C. T. Williams, Catal. Comm., 8, 1373-1376 (2007).
36. “EXAFS Characterization of Dendrimer-Pt Nanocomposites Used for the Preparation of Pt/g-AlO₃ Catalysts,” O. S. Alexeev, A. Siani, G. Lafaye, C. T. Williams, H. J. Ploehn and M. D Amiridis, J. Phys. Chem. B, 110(49), 24903-24914 (2006)
35. “In-situ Investigation of Acetonitrile Adsorption on Al₂O₃-coated CaF₂ Using Sum-Frequency Spectroscopy,” S. B. Waldrup and C. T. Williams, J. Phys. Chem. B, 110(33), 16633-16639 (2006).
34. “Particle Size Control in Dendrimer-Derived Supported Ruthenium Catalysts,” G. Lafaye, A. Siani, P. Marecot, M. D. Amiridis, and C. T. Williams, J. Phys. Chem. B, 110(15), 7725-7731 (2006).
33. “Multivariate Analysis of ATR-IR Spectroscopic Data: Applications to the Solid-Liquid Catalytic Interface,” I. Ortiz-Hernandez, D. J. Owens, M. R. Strunk, and C. T. Williams, Langmuir, 22(6), 2629-2639 (2006).
32. “FTIR Studies of CO Adsorption on Al₂O₃- and SiO₂-Supported Ru Catalysts,” S.-Y. Chin, C. T. Williams, and M. D. Amiridis, J. Phys. Chem. B 110(2), 871-882 (2006).
31. “AFM Characterization of Dendrimer-Stabilized Platinum Nanoparticles,” Y. Gu, H. Xie, J. Gao, D. Liu, C. T. Williams, C. J. Murphy, and H. J. Ploehn, Langmuir, 21(7), 3122-3131 (2005).
30. “Thermal Decomposition of Generation-4 Polyamidoamine Dendrimer Films: Decomposition Catalyzed by Dendrimer-Encapsulated Pt Particles,” O. Ozturk, T. J. Black, K. Perrine, K. Pizzolato, C. T. Williams, F. W. Parsons, J. S. Ratliff, J. Gao, C. J. Murphy, H. Xie, H. J. Ploehn, and D. A. Chen, Langmuir, 21(9), 3998-4006 (2005).
29. “In-Situ Attenuated Total Reflection Infrared Spectroscopy of Dendrimer-Stabilized Platinum Nanoparticles Adsorbed on Alumina,” D. Liu, J. Gao, C. J. Murphy, and C. T. Williams, J. Phys. Chem. B 108(34), 12911-12916 (2004).
28. “Decomposition and Activation of Pt-Dendrimer Nanocomposites on a Silica Support,” D. S. Deutsch, G. Lafaye, D. Liu, B. D. Chandler, C. T. Williams, and M. D. Amiridis, Catal. Lett. 97(3-4), 139-143 (2004).
27. "Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Cinchonidine-Modified Platinum in Ethanol: Comparisons with Surface Studies," S. R. Calvo, R. J. LeBlanc, C. T. Williams and P. B. Balbuena, Surf. Sci. 563(1-3), 57-73 (2004).
26. "Surface Raman Characterization of Cinchonidine-Modified Polycrystalline Platinum in Ethanol: Effects of Temperature and Comparison With 10,11-Dihydrocinchonidine," R. J. LeBlanc and C. T. Williams, J. Mol. Catal. A 220(2), 207-214 (2004).
25. “Synthesis and Microscopic Characterization of Dendrimer-Derived Ru/Al₂O ₃ Catalysts,” G. Lafaye, C. T. Williams and M. D. Amiridis, Catal. Lett. 96(1-2), 43-47 (2004).
24. "Surface Raman Characterization of Cinchonidine-Modified Platinum in Ethanol: Effects of Liquid-Phase Concentration and Co-Adsorbed Hydrogen", R. J. LeBlanc, W. Chu and C. T. Williams, J. Mol. Catal. A, 212, 277 (2004).
23. "Vibrational Band Assignments for the Chiral Modifier Cinchonidine:  Implications for Surface Studies", W. Chu, R. J. LeBlanc, C. T. Williams, J. Kubota, and F. Zaera, J. Phys. Chem. B, 107, 14365 (2003).
22. "Aliphatic Nitrile Adsorption on Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂ as Studied by Total Internal Reflection Sum-Frequency Spectroscopy,†M. R. Strunk and C. T. Williams, Langmuir, 19, 9210 (2003).
21. "In-Situ Investigation of Solid-Liquid Catalytic Interfaces by Attenuated Total Reflection Infrared Spectroscopy,†I. Ortiz-Hernandez and C. T. Williams, Langmuir, 19, 2956 (2003).
20. "In-situ Raman Investigation of Cinchonidine Adsorption on Polycrystalline Platinum in Ethanol," W. Chu, R. J. LeBlanc, and C. T. Williams, Catal. Comm., 3, 547 (2002).
19. "Probing Buried Interfaces with Non-Linear Optical Spectroscopy," C. T. Williams and D. A. Beattie, Surface Science 500, 545 (2002).
18. "Total-Internal Reflection Sum-Frequency Spectroscopy:  A Strategy for Studying Molecular Adsorption on Metal Surfaces," C. T. Williams, Y. Yang, C. D. Bain, Langmuir 16, 2343 (2000).
17. "Low Density Self-Assembled Monolayers on Gold Derived from Chelating 2-Monoalkylpropane-1,3-dithiols," Y.-S. Shon, R. Colorado, Jr., C. T. Williams, C. D. Bain and T. R. Lee Langmuir 16, 541 (2000).
16. "Unusually Fast Electron and Anion Transport Processes Observed in the Oxidation of 'Electrochemically Openâ' Microcrystalline [{M(bipy)₂}{M¢(bipy)₂}(m-L)(PF₆)] Complexes (M,M¢ = Ru,Os; bipy=2,2¢-bipyridyl; L = 1,4-Dihydroxy-2,5-Bis(Pyrazol-1-yl)-Benzene) at a Solid Electrode-Aqueous Electrolyte Interface,"  A. M. Bond, F. Marken, C. T. Williams, D. A. Beattie, T. E. Keys, R. J. Forster and J. G. Vos, J. Phys Chem. B 104, 1977 (2000).
15. "Formation and Stability of Oxide Films on Platinum-Group Metals in Electrochemical and Related Environments as Probed by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy:  Dependence on the Chemical Oxidant," S. Zou, H. Y. H. Chan, C. T. Williams, and M. J. Weaver, Langmuir 16, 754 (2000).
14. "Prospects for Detecting Metal-Adsorbate Vibrations by Sum-Frequency Spectroscopy," C. T. Williams, Y. Yang, C. D. Bain, Catal. Lett. 61, 7 (1999).
13. "Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering as an Ubiquitous Vibrational Probe of Transition-Metal Interfaces:  Benzene and Related Chemisorbates on Palladium and Rhodium in Aqueous Solution," S. Zou, C. T. Williams, E. K.-Y. Chen and M. J. Weaver, J. Phys. Chem. B. 102, 9039 (1998).
12. "Reduction Kinetics of Surface Rhodium Oxide by Hydrogen and Carbon Monoxide at Ambient Gas Pressures as Probed by Transient Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy," C. T. Williams, E. K.-Y. Chen, C. G. Takoudis and M. J. Weaver, J. Phys. Chem. B 102, 4785 (1998).
11. "In-Situ Real-Time Studies of Heterogeneous Catalytic Mechanisms at Ambient Pressures as Probed by Surface-Enhanced Raman and Mass Spectroscopies,"  C. T. Williams, H. Y. H Chan, M. J. Weaver and C. G. Takoudis, J. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 37, 2307 (1998).
10. "Probing Molecular Vibrations at Catalytically Significant Interfaces:  A New Generality of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering," S. Zou, C. T. Williams, E. K.-Y. Chen and M. J. Weaver, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 120, 3811 (1998).
9. "Surface Potentials of Metal-Gas Compared with Analagous Electrochemical Interfaces as Probed by Adsorbate  Vibrational  Frequencies,"  M.  J. Weaver, C. T. Williams, S. Zou, H. Y. H. Chan  and C. G. Takoudis, Catal. Lett. 52, 181 (1998).
8. "Methanol Oxidation on Palladium Compared to Rhodium at Ambient Pressures as Probed by Surface-Enhanced Raman and Mass Spectroscopies," H. Y. H. Chan, C. T. Williams, M. J. Weaver and C. G. Takoudis, J. Catal. 174, 191 (1998).
7. "Methanol Oxidation on Rhodium as Probed by Surface-Enhanced Raman and Mass Spectroscopies:  Adsorbate Stability, Reactivity, and Catalytic Relevance," C. T. Williams, C. G. Takoudis and M. J. Weaver, J. Phys. Chem. B 102, 406
6. "Raman Spectral Evidence of Reactive Oxide Formation During Methanol Oxidation on Polycrystalline Rhodium at High Gas Pressures," C. T. Williams, C. G. Takoudis and M. J. Weaver, J. Catal. 170, 207 (1997).
(1998).
5. "Adsorption and Hydrogenation of Carbon Monoxide on Polycrystalline Rhodium at High Gas Pressures," C. T. Williams, C. A. Black,  M. J. Weaver and C. G. Takoudis, J. Phys. Chem. B 101, 2874 (1997).
4. "Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy as an In-Situ Real-Time Probe of Catalytic Mechanisms at High Gas Pressures:  The CO-NO Reaction on Platinum and Palladium," C. T. Williams, A. A. Tolia, H. Y. H. Chan, C. G. Takoudis and M. J. Weaver, J. Catal. 163, 63 (1996).
3. "Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy  as  an  In-Situ  Real-Time  Probe  of  NO  Reduction Over Rhodium at High Gas Pressures," C. T. Williams, A. A. Tolia, M. J. Weaver and C. G. Takoudis, Chem. Eng. Sci. 51, 1673 (1996).
2. "Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy as an In-Situ Real-Time Probe of Catalytic Mechanisms at High Gas Pressures:  The NO-H₂ Reaction on Rhodium," A. A. Tolia, C. T. Williams, M. J. Weaver and C. G. Takoudis, Langmuir 11, 3438 (1995).
1. "Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy as an In-Situ Real-Time Probe of Catalytic Mechanisms at High Gas Pressures:  The CO-NO Reaction on Rhodium," A. A. Tolia, C. T. Williams, C. G. Takoudis and  M. J. Weaver, J. Phys. Chem. 99, 4599 (1995).

V. Lectures

(Note: only invited talks and seminars are listed out of a total of 60 presentations)

15. Seminar: "Bridging the 'Liquid Gap': In-Situ Vibrational Spectroscopy of Solid-Liquid Catalytic Interfaces," C. T. Williams, Surface Science and Catalysis Group, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, April, 2004.
14. Talk: In-situ Vibrational Spectroscopy of Solid-Liquid Catalytic Interfaces" C. T. Williams, ACS National Meeting, Anaheim, CA, April, 2004.
13. Seminar: "Bridging the 'Liquid Gap': In-Situ Vibrational Spectroscopy of Solid-Liquid Catalytic Interfaces," C. T. Williams, Department of Chemical Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, December, 2003.
12. Seminar: "Bridging the 'Liquid Gap': In-Situ Vibrational Spectroscopy of Solid-Liquid Catalytic Interfaces," C. T. Williams, Center for Catalysis and Surface Science and Institute for Environmental Catalysis, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, October, 2003.
11. Seminar: "Bridging the 'Liquid Gap': In-Situ Vibrational Spectroscopy of Solid-Liquid Catalytic Interfaces," C. T. Williams, Department of Chemical Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, October, 2003.
10. Talk: "Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy as an In-Situ Probe of Catalytic Interfaces: Progress and Prospects," C. T. Williams, ACS National Meeting, New York, NY, September, 2003.
9. Seminar: "Bridging the 'Liquid Gap': In-Situ Vibrational Spectroscopy of Solid-Liquid Catalytic Interfaces," C. T. Williams, Department of Chemistry, Miami University, Oxford, OH, July, 2003.
8. Talk: "In-Situ Vibrational Spectroscopic Investigation of Solid-Liquid Catalytic Interfaces", R. J. LeBlanc, I. Ortiz-Hernandez, M. R. Strunk, and C. T. Williams (presenter), ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March, 2003.
7. Seminar: "New Prospects for In-Situ Investigation of Heterogeneous Catalytic Reactions," C. T. Williams, Department of Chemical Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, PA, March, 1999.
6. Seminar: "New Prospects for In-Situ Investigation of Heterogeneous Catalytic Reactions," C. T. Williams, Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, March, 1999.
5. Seminar: "New Prospects for In-Situ Investigation of Heterogeneous Catalytic Reactions," C. T. Williams, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KA, March, 1999.
4. Seminar: "New Prospects for In-Situ Investigation of Heterogeneous Catalytic Reactions," C. T. Williams, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, February, 1999.
3. Seminar: "New Prospects for In-Situ Investigation of Heterogeneous Catalytic Reactions," C. T. Williams, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, January, 1999.
2. Seminar: "Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy as an In-Situ Probe of Heterogeneous Catalytic Reactions," C. T. Williams, Department of Chemical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, February, 1998.
1. Seminar: "Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy as an In-Situ Real-Time Probe of Heterogeneous Catalytic Reactions at High Gas Pressures," C. T. Williams, School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, March, 1997.