Our research interests involve the synthesis of functional nanostructured materials utilizing templating strategies, thorough characterization of these materials using state-of-the-art characterization facilities available on campus and at the nearby Canadian Light Source (CLS), and attempts to understand the structure-property relationships which govern their behaviour. Students working in the Scott laboratories will develop skills in a wide range of spectroscopic and microscopic analytical techniques used to understand the fundamental properties of nanoscale materials. 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.

Our research focuses on the following areas below

Our group is a heavy user of the Canadian Light Source, which is on campus at the University of Saskatchewan. Over the past decade, we have developed a number of in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy cells that allow us to follow changes in metal speciation in cluster and nanoparticle catalysts during catalytic events. These include liquid cells in which quasi-homogenous nanoparticles are interrogated while suspended in solution, and high-temperature heterogeneous catalysis setups that have allowed us to follow Pd speciation under in situ conditions during methane oxidation reactions. We have a strong ongoing collaboration with the group of Natalia Semagina at the University of Alberta following methane oxidation and reforming catalysts. In addition, we work closely with beamline scientists on high, tender, and low-energy lines, and in particular with Dr. Yongfeng Hu on SXRMB for the development of catalytic cells for in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Current projects involve alcohol oxidations in aqueous solutions, and hydrogenations using nanoparticles solubilized in room temperature ionic liquid solvents. In particular, we are interested in the ability to catalyze reactions over gold and bimetallic gold alloys in solution, as well as controlling the activity and selectivity of such reactions by changing the architecture of bimetallic nanoparticles (alloy vs. core/shell, etc.). Recent work has focused on the development and in situ characterization of single-atom catalysts.

Our research in this area has focused on the development of thiolate-protected Au, Ag, and bimetallic atom-precise clusters. In particular, we have focused on the development of clusters which have functional handles that can allow for subsequent chemistry to occur on the surface of the cluster. We also examine the clusters as catalysts for selective oxidation and reduction reactions, both as intact clusters and after mild activation of the clusters to remove some or all of the thiolate ligands. Characterization methods include electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Canadian Light Source.

This work involves the synthesis and characterization of well-defined cluster precursors and incorporation of the clusters onto solid supports.The goal of this work is to incorporate cluster onto supports with controlled size, structure, and compositional tuning. This allows for the development of supported-cluster catalysts with much greater activity/selectivity towards specific substrates. Sinter-resistant can be acquired either by the formation of thin overlayers over the clusters (formed, for example, by atomic layer deposition), or strong support/cluster interactions.

Our group has made significant inroads towards understanding the stability of nanoparticles in various types of ionic liquids. Current interests include use of ionic liquid/nanoparticle composites as catalysts for CO₂ and N₂ reduction. Electrochemical ammonia synthesis in task-specific ionic liquids using nanoparticle catalysts with controlled compositions is a new research direction that we are strongly pursuing with Prof. Ian Burgess. Routes to form ammonia under milder and less energy intensive conditions than the current Haber-Bosch process are needed for a sustainable future.