Chemistry Department: Kevin E. Johnson

Kevin E. Johnson, Associate Professor Physical Chemistry at Pacific University

Degrees

B.S. Chemistry, Stanford University (1983)
Ph.D. Physical Chemistry, University of Washington (1991)
Post Doctoral Appointment, IBM Almaden Research Center (1992-93)

Kevin E. Johnson

Professor
Physical Chemistry
Holce Professor of Science
Office: Murdock 108
Phone:(503) 352-2762
FAX: (503) 352-2933
E-Mail: johnsonk@pacificu.edu

Courses

Chem 110: Chemistry for Non-Scientists
Chem 220: General Chemistry I Lecture, Discussion and Laboratory
Chem 230: General Chemistry II Lecture, Discussion and Laboratory
Chem 410, 411: Physical Chemistry I
Chem 420, 421: Physical Chemistry II
Chem 451: Analytical Topics, High Field NMR

Research Interests

Dr. Johnson's research focuses on chemical thermodynamics and kinetics of reactions at the interface between liquids and solid-surfaces using the imaging techniques of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the spectroscopic techniques of infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) and surface enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS). Studies of self-assembled monolayers with acid/base functionality and their interaction with aqueous solutions are ongoing.

In August 2001, Dr. Johnson, with Dr. Whiteley and Dr. Parr, received a Major Research Instrumentation Grant from the National Science Foundation for $107,000. This grant purchased a new STM/AFM instrument for undergraduate research in the chemistry department at Pacific.

In 2001-'02 Dr. Johnson spent a 10 month sabbatical at the Chemistry Department of the University of Arizona as a visiting scientist in the laboratory of Dr. Jeanne E. Pemberton. The Pemberton group uses electrochemical and spectroscopic methods to investigate chemistry at interfaces. While at the University of Arizona, Dr. Johnson designed a sample cell and optical system to implement a novel spectroscopic technique, Emersion IRRAS. When he returned home from his sabbatical, Dr. Johnson brought with him a second version of the Emersion IRRAS cell for use at Pacific with undergraduate research students. In addition, Dr. Johnson maintains a collaboration with Dr. Pemberton, and each summer a Pacific undergraduate chemistry major has the opportunity to spend a summer in at the University of Arizona in Tucson in a Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) position sponsored by Dr. Pembertion's NSF grant.

Publicationa and Presentations

K.E. Johnson and T. Engel, "Direct measurement of reaction kinetics for the decomposition of ultra thin oxide on Si(001) using scanning tunneling microscopy"Phys. Rev. Lett., 69, 339 (1992).
K.E. Johnson, P.K. Wu, M. Sander and T. Engel, "The mesoscopic and microscopic structural consequences from decomposition and desorption of ultrathin oxide layers on Si(100) studies by scanning tunneling microscopy"Surf. Sci., 290, 213 (1993).
K.E. Johnson, R.J. Wilson, and S. Chiang, "Effects of adsorption site and surface stress on ordered structures of oxygen adsorbed on W(110)"Phys. Rev. Lett., 71, 1055 (1993).
K.E. Johnson, D.D. Chambliss, R.J. Wilson, and S. Chiang, "A structural model and mechanism for Fe epitaxy on Cu(100)"Surf. Sci., 313, L811 (1994).
K.E. Johnson and E.L. Green (Pacific Chemistry Major), " Molecular thermodynamic quantities measured by temperature dependent NMR and modeled using MOPAC" Presented at The Murdock Foundation Conference on Undergraduate Research, Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA (Nov. 1995).Part I, Hydrogen Bond Formation and Part II, Rotational Barrier in N,N-dimethylacetamide.
K.E. Johnson and M. Prange (Pacific Physics Major) "Resolution of Atomic Steps in Air via Scanning Tunneling Microscopy"
Presented at The Murdock Foundation Conference on Undergraduate Research, Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA (Nov. 1995).
Scott Child, Dane Avilla, (Pacific Chemistry Majors), K.E. Johnson "Design and Construction of a STM from parts you can find at a hardware store (almost).", Presented at The Murdock Foundation Conference on Undergraduate Research, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA (Nov. 1996).
P.H. Lippel and K.E. Johnson "Scanning Tunneling Microscopy in Introductory Teaching Laboratories"Journal of Materials Education 19, 65 (1997).
Jeff Grout, Max Montano (chemistry majors), & Kevin E. Johnson, "Comparison of electrochemical plating of metals: Electroless deposition of Ag on Cu and Electrolytic deposition of Cu on Ag." Presented at The Murdock Foundation Conference on Undergraduate Research at Willamette University, Salem, Oregon, October 1997.
Ryan Duvall (Summer High School Intern) and Kevin E. Johnson, "Analysis of the oxidation of lead (II) sulfide using scanning tunneling microscopy." Presented at the Conference for ACE High School Apprentices at Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, 17 August 1998.
Richard V. Whiteley, Jr., James O. Currie, Jr. and Kevin E. Johnson, "Characterization of Electrolytes by Computer Modeling." Presented at The 54th Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society Portland, Oregon 20-23 June 1999.
Max Montano, Erik A. Syrstad (Student coauthors) and Kevin E. Johnson, "STM Analysis of Electrolytic and Electroless Deposition of Copper Metal on Annealed Silver Foil." Student poster presented at The 54th Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society Portland, Oregon 20-23 June 1999.
Kevin E. Johnson, Max Montano, and Erik A. Syrstad, "Investigation of the Effects of Surface Structure on the Initial Growth of Electrochemically Deposited Metal on Polycrystalline Metal Foils." Presented at The 54th Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society Portland, Oregon 20-23 June 1999.
Kevin E. Johnson "Projects in General Chemistry Activity Sessions: Putting Theory into Practice" Presented at The 16th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education in Ann Arbor, Michigan, 31 July 2000.
Kevin E. Johnson "Electrolyte influence on lithium-ion batteries: SEI formation, damage to graphite electrodes, and the semi-empirical ethylene carbonate reduction pathway" Poster Presented at The Sigma Xi Forum and Annual Meeting in Raleigh, NC, 8-11 November 2002.
Kevin E. Johnson "Electrolyte influence on lithium-ion batteries: SEI formation, damage to graphite electrodes, and the semi-empirical ethylene carbonate reduction pathway" Poster presented at The Gordon Conference on Electrochemistry in Ventura, CA, 20-25 January 2003.
Kevin E. Johnson "Surface vibrational spectroscopy of nonaqueous electrolytes under potential control" Poster presented at The National American Chemical Society Meeting in Orlando, FL, 7-10 ASpril 2002.
Kevin E. Johnson "Implementation of model research projects in the general chemistry laboratory" Presented at The 17th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education in Bellingham, Washington, 29 July 2002.

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