Phillip Christopher

Dr. Phillip Christopher

Current Position

Assistant Professor, University of California, Riverside

Education

Ph.D. August 2011
Chemical Engineering
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

M.S. May 2008
Chemical Engineering
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

B.S. May 2006
Chemical Engineering
University of California, Santa Barbara

Publications

    Recently Published (full list)

  1. Design of Plasmonic Platforms for Selective Molecular Sensing Based on Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
    M. Andiappan, P. Christopher, S. Linic, J. Phys. Chem. C, 116, 9824, 2012.
  2. Electronic Structure Engineering in Heterogeneous Catalysis: Identifying Novel Alloy Catalysts Based on Rapid Screening for Materials with Desired Electronic Properties
    H. Xin, A. Holewinski, N. Schweitzer, E. Nikolla, S. Linic, Topics in Catalysis, 55, 376, 2012.
  3. Predictive Structure-Reactivity Models for Rapid Screening of Pt-based Multimetallic Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
    H. Xin, A. Holewinski, S. Linic, ACS Catalysis, 2, 12, 2012. (Selected as cover article of issue.)
  4. Plasmonic-metal nanostructures for efficient conversion of solar to chemical energy
    S. Linic, P. Christopher, D. B. Ingram, Nature Materials, 10, 911, 2011.
  5. Predictive model for the design of plasmonic metal/semiconductor composite photocatalysts,
    D. B. Ingram, P. Christopher, J. Bauer, S. Linic, ACS Catalysis, 1, 1441, 2011.
  6. Visible light enhanced catalytic oxidation reactions on plasmonic silver nanostructures,
    P. Christopher, H. Xin, S. Linic, Nature Chemistry, 3, 467, 2011.
  7. Water splitting on composite plasmonic-metal/semiconductor photo-electrodes: Evidence for selective plasmon induced formation of charge carriers near the semiconductor surface,
    D. B. Ingram, S. Linic, JACS, 133, 5202, 2011.
  8. High Activity Carbide Supported Catalysts for Water Gas Shift,
    N. Schweitzer, J. Schaidle, E. Obiefune, X. Pan, S. Linic, L. Thompson, JACS, 133, 2378, 2011.
  9. Overcoming limitation in the design of selective heterogeneous catalysts by manipulating shape and size of catalytic particles: Epoxidation reactions on silver,
    S. Linic, P. Christopher, ChemCatChem, 2, 1061, 2010.
  10. Exceptions to the d-band Model of Chemisorption on Metal Surfaces: The Dominant Role of Repulsion between Adsorbate States and Metal d-states,
    H. Xin, S. Linic, J. Chem. Phys., 132, 221101, 2010.
    (2010 JCP Editors' Choice List.)
  11. Enhancing photo-chemical activity of semiconductor nanoparticles with optically active Ag nano-structures: Photo-chemistry mediated by Ag surface plasmons,
    P. Christopher, D. B. Ingram, S. Linic, J. Phys. Chem. C, 114, 9173, 2010.
  12. Establishing relationships between the geometric structure and chemical reactivity of alloy catalysts based on their measured electronic structure,
    N. Schweitzer, H. Xin, E. Nikolla, J. T. Miller, S. Linic, Top. Catal., 53, 348, 2010.
  13. Developing Relationships between the Local Chemical Reactivity of Alloy Catalysts and Physical Characteristics of Constituent Metal Elements,
    H. Xin, N. Schweitzer, E. Nikolla, S. Linic, J. Chem. Phys., 132, 111101, 2010.
  14. Shape and size specific chemistry of Ag nanostructures in catalytic ethylene epoxidation,
    P. Christopher, S. Linic, ChemCatChem, 2, 78, 2010.
    (One of the top 3 most accessed papers in the journal's first year in print.)
  15. Geometric and Electronic Characteristics of Active Sites on TiO2-supported Au Nano-catalysts: Insights from First Principles,
    S. Laursen, S. Linic, PCCP, 11, 11006, 2009.
  16. First-Principles Analysis of the Activity of Transition and Noble Metals in the Direct Utilization of Hydrocarbon Fuels at SOFC Operating Conditions,
    D. B. Ingram, S. Linic, J. Electrochem. Soc., 156, B1457, 2009.
  17. Direct electrochemical oxidation of hydrocarbon fuels on SOFCs: Improved carbon tolerance of Ni alloy anodes,
    E. Nikolla, J. Schwank, S. Linic, J. Electrochem. Soc., 156, B1312, 2009.
  18. Two-Step Mechanism for Low-Temperature Oxidation of Vacancies in Graphene,
    J. M. Carlsson, F. Hanke, S. Linic, M. Scheffler, Phys. Rev. Lett., 102, 166104, 2009.
  19. Comparative study of the kinetics of methane steam reforming on supported Ni and Sn/Ni alloy catalysts: the impact of the formation of Ni alloy on chemistry,
    E. Nikolla, J. W. Schwank, S. Linic, J. Catal., 263, 220, 2009.
  20. Strong chemical interactions between Au and off-stoichiometric defects on TiO2 as a possible source of chemical activity of nano-sized Au supported on the oxide,
    S. Laursen, S. Linic, J. Phys. Chem. C, 113, 6689, 2009.
  21. Measuring and Relating the Electronic Structures of Nonmodel Supported Catalytic Materials to Their Performance,
    E. Nikolla, J. W. Schwank, S. Linic, JACS, 131, 2747, 2009.
  22. Engineering Selectivity in Heterogeneous Catalysis: Ag Nanowires as Selective Ethylene Epoxiation Catalysts,
    P. Christopher, S. Linic, JACS, 130, 11264, 2008.
  23. Hydrocarbon steam reforming on Ni alloys at solid oxide fuel cell operating conditions,
    E. Nikolla, J. W. Schwank, S. Linic, Catalysis Today, 136, 243, 2008.
  24. Promotion of the long-term stability of reforming Ni catalysts by surface alloying,
    E. Nikolla, J. W. Schwank, S. Linic, J. Catal., 250, 85, 2007.
  25. First principles investigations of electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen at solid oxide fuel cell operating conditions,
    J. Mukherjee, S. Linic, J. Electrochem. Soc., 154, B919, 2007.
  26. Controlling carbon surface chemistry by alloying: Carbon tolerant reforming catalyst,
    E. Nikolla, A. Holewinski, J. Schwank, S. Linic, JACS, 128, 11354, 2006.
  27. Oxidation catalysis by oxide-supported Au nanostructures: The role of supports and the effect of external conditions,
    S. Laursen, S. Linic, Phys. Rev. Lett., 97, 026101, 2006.
  28. Synthesis, structure, and reactions of stable oxametallacycles from styrene oxide on Ag(111),
    M. Enever, S. Linic, K. Uffalussy, J. M. Vohs, M. A. Barteau, J. Phys. Chem. B, 109, 2227, 2005.
  29. Selectivity driven design of bimetallic ethylene epoxidation catalysts from first principles,
    S. Linic, J. Jankowiak, M. A. Barteau, J. Catal., 224, 489, 2005.
  30. Ethylene epoxidation on Ag: Identification of the crucial surface intermediate by experimental and theoretical investigation of its electronic structure,
    S. Linic, H. Piao, K. Abid, M. A. Barteau, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 43, 2918, 2004.
  31. On the mechanism of Cs-promotion in ethylene epoxidation on Ag,
    S. Linic, M. A. Barteau, JACS, 126, 8086, 2004.
  32. Construction of a reaction coordinate and a microkinetic model for ethylene epoxidation on silver from DFT calculations and surface science experiments,
    S. Linic, M. A. Barteau, J. Catal., 214, 200, 2003.
  33. Control of ethylene epoxidation selectivity by surface oxametallacycle,
    S. Linic, M. A. Barteau, JACS, 125, 4034, 2003.
  34. Synthesis of oxametallacycles from 2-iodoethanol on Ag(111) and the structure dependence of their reactivity,
    S. Linic, M. A. Barteau, Langmuir, 18, 5197, 2002.
  35. Formation of a Stable Surface Oxametallacycle that Produces Ethylene Oxide,
    S. Linic, M. A. Barteau, JACS, 124, 310, 2002.

Invention Patents

  1. Phillip Christopher, Suljo Linic, “Method and Device using plasmon-resonating nanostructures”, US Serial NO. 61/346,771 filed for provisional patent May 20, 2010.
  2. Phillip Christopher, David Ingram, Suljo Linic, “Photocatalyst Compositions Containing Plasmon-Resonating Nanoparticles”, US Serial No. 12/498,942 filed for provisional patent May, 12 2009.
  3. Phillip Christopher, Suljo Linic, “Epoxidation Catalyst and Process”. U.S. Patent Number 7,820,840 B2. Accepted on 26 October 2010.

Oral Presentations

  1. Phillip Christopher, Suljo Linic, “Size and shape specific chemistry of uniform, well-defined Ag nanoparticles of different shapes in catalytic ethylene epoxidation” AIChE Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City (UT), November 2010.
  2. Phillip Christopher, Suljo Linic, “Optically active metallic nano-structures for efficient coupling of thermal and photonic stimuli for energy efficient chemical conversion.” AIChE Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City (UT), November 2010.
  3. Phillip Christopher, David B. Ingram, Suljo Linic, “Exploiting recent advancement in the field of nanotechnology in heterogeneous catalysis: shaped metallic nanostructures as selective catalysts, photo-catalysts and platform for the characterization of surface chemical reactions.” AIChE Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City (UT), November 2010.
  4. David B. Ingram, Phillip Christopher, Suljo Linic, “Visible light semiconductor photocatalysis enhanced by Ag nanoparticle plasmon resonance.” AIChE Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City (UT), November 2010.
  5. Phillip Christopher and Suljo Linic, “Well-defined, Highly Uniform Metallic Nano-Structures as Selective Heterogeneous Catalysts and Platforms for Chemical Characterization.” American Vacuum Soceity International Synmposium and Exhibition, San Jose (CA), November 2009.
    Invited Talk.
  6. Phillip Christopher, David Ingram and Suljo Linic “Exploiting the Optical Properties of Well-Defined Nano-Structures for Photo-Catalytic Applications”, AIChE Annual Meeting, Nashville, Tennessee, November 2009.
  7. Phillip Christopher and Suljo Linic, “Targeted, Well-Defined, and Uniform Ag Nanostructures as Highly Selective Olefin Epoxidation Catalysts”, AIChE Annual Meeting, Nashville, Tennessee, November 2009.
  8. Phillip Christopher and Suljo Linic, “The Effect of Ag Particle Shape and Surface Structure on Ethylene Epoxidation Selectivity”, 21st National Annual Meeting of the North American Catalysis Society, San Fransisco, California, June 2009.
  9. Phillip Christopher and Suljo Linic, “Engineering Selectivity In Heterogeneous Catalysis: The Impact of Ag Surface Structure on Ethylene Epoxidation Selectivity”, AIChE Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvannia, November 2008.
  10. Phillip Christopher and Suljo Linic, “Engineering Selectivity in Heterogeneous Catalysis: The Impact of Ag Surface Structure on Ethylene Epoxidation Selectivity”, Michigan Catalysis Society Annual Symposium, May 2008.
    Awarded the Outstanding Student Presentation Award.

Poster Presentations

  1. Phillip Christopher, Suljo Linic, “Targeted Metallic Nanostructures as Selective Catalysts and Visible-light Driven Photocatalysts”, University of Michigan, College of Engineering Graduate Symposium, Outstanding Ph.D. Research Competition Session, Ann Arbor (MI), November 2010.
    Given College of Engineering Outstanding Ph.D. Research Award.
  2. Phillip Christopher, Suljo Linic “Combining molecular level insights with advanced synthesis strategies to design (photo)catalytic materials: Efficient chemical processing utilizing thermal and solar stimuli”, AIChE Annual Meeting “Meet the faculty candidate session”, Salt Lake City (UT), November 2010.
  3. Phillip Christopher and Suljo Linic, “Targeted Ag Nano-Structures as Highly Selective Partial Oxidation Catalysts”, AIChE Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvannia, November 2008.
  4. Phillip Christopher and Suljo Linic, “Nano-structured Materials in Catalysis: Sensitivity of Ethylene Epoxidation Reaction on Ag Surface Structure”, Gordon Research Conference on Catalysis, New London, New Hampshire, June 2008.
    Award for Outstanding Poster Presentation.
  5. Phillip Christopher, David Ingram, Suljo Linic “Rational Design of Plasmon-Enhanced Composite Photo-Catalysts for Solar Applications”, Walt Weber Sustainability Symposium, University of Michigan, December 2009.
    Award for Outstanding Poster Presentation.
  6. Phillip Christopher, Suljo Linic “Targeted Metallic Nanostructures as Selective Catalysts and Visible-light Driven Photocatalysts” Gordon Research Conference on Catalysis, New London (NH), June 2010.
    Award for Outstanding Poster Presentation.

Honors & Awards

  1. Outstanding Ph.D. Student Research Award: Inaugural University of Michigan College of Engineering award (One award for the entire College of Engineering), 2010.
  2. Outstanding Poster Presentation: Gordon Research Conference on Catalysis, 2010.
  3. Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship, Awarded by the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School, February 9, 2010.
  4. Best Poster Presentation: Walt Weber Sustainability Symposium, University of Michigan, 2009.
  5. Kokes Award Winner: 21st National Annual Meeting: North American Catalysis Society.
  6. Outstanding Poster Presentation: Gordon Research Conference on Catalysis, 2008.
  7. Outstanding Student Presentation Award for presentation titled “Engineering Selectivity in Heterogeneous Catalysis: The Impact of Ag Surface Structure on the Selectivity of Ethylene Epoxidation”, Michigan Catalysis Society Annual Symposium, May 2008.
  8. Dean’s Named Fellow: University of Michigan, 2006-2007.

University of Michigan | College of Engineering | Department of Chemical Engineering | Webmaster