FACULTY & STAFF

Alfred B. Anderson

Professor of Chemistry
aba@case.edu

Quantum Chemistry of Catalysis and Materials Properties

A.B., Cornell University, 1964
Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, 1970
Research Associate, Indiana University and Cornell University, 1971-74
J. Willard Gibbs Instructor, Yale University, 1975-77


A. B. Anderson has, since 1998, been developing models based on self-consistent Gaussian and VASP quantum calculations for predicting reversible potentials electrode potential-dependent activation energies for electron and proton transfer reactions at the electrochemical interface. This effort supplants his prior work using his semiempirical non-self-consistant ASED molecular and band theory approach to getting rather approximate bond energies and electrode potential dependencies based on parametrically shifting the electrode valence band. He is working on the conceptual development for understanding electrocatalysis and its applications. His recent fundamental advancements relevant to fuel cells include calculating the Tafel plots for hydrogen oxidation and oxygen reduction on a platinum surface by using predicted potential-dependent activation energies. Additional fuel cell-related mechanistic work includes the H2 oxidation in solid oxide high-temperature fuel cells and O2 reduction by copper laccase. Electronic properties of doped cvd-grown semi-conducting and conducting diamond films are also under investigation, including their properties as electrodes. The work is funded by the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Defense.

Vita (pdf format)

Recent Publications