Chuck Peden
Laboratory Fellow, Fundamental and Computational Sciences Directorate, Chemical and Material Sciences Division, Interfacial Chemistry and EngineeringCurrent Activities and Projects
Dr. Charles H. F. (Chuck) Peden's current research programs address numerous aspects of the physical and chemical properties of oxide surfaces. These include fundamental experimental studies of the geometric and electronic structure of oxide surfaces, as well as more applied studies that are developing oxides as catalytic materials. A particular focus in this latter area is on developing the scientific underpinning of several new catalytic technologies that are viable candidates for exhaust emission control from diesel-fueled vehicles. Chuck is a principal investigator and program leader of a new multi-institution research effort, funded by the Basic Energy Sciences Division of the Department of Energy, aimed at developing a fundamental understanding of oxide-supported transition metal oxide catalysts. He and his colleagues at PNNL are leaders among the Department of Energy National Laboratories for fundamental and applied catalysis research (Institute for Interfacial Catalysis at PNNL).
Research Interests
- Kinetics and mechanisms of surface chemical reactions important in heterogeneous catalysis
- Materials synthesis and characterization
Many of his studies involve the use of a coupled high-pressure microcatalytic reactor/UHV surface analysis apparatus to measure reaction rates on well-characterized, single crystal model catalysts. He uses both in- and ex-situ (UHV) spectroscopies in conjunction with the kinetic measurements to develop mechanistic models.
Past Experience
After graduating with distinction from California State University, Chico with a B.A. in chemistry, Chuck completed his Ph.D. in physical chemistry at the University of California, Santa Barbara under the direction of Ralph G. Pearson. He held a two year appointment as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico before joining the scientific staff. He spent the next seven years at Sandia as a Senior Member of the Technical Staff in the Inorganic Materials Chemistry Department. Peden has been at PNNL since 1992 and was promoted to Laboratory Fellow in 2000.
Education
- B.A., Chemistry, 1978, California State University, Chico, graduated with distinction
- M.A., Physical Chemistry, 1981, University of California, Santa Barbara
- Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, 1983 (Thesis Advisor: Prof. R. G. Pearson) University of California, Santa Barbara
Awards, Honors, & Appointments
- Life Member, California Scholastic Federation
- Graduated with Distinction, CSU, Chico, 1978
- Elected to Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, 1978
- University of California Regents Predoctoral Fellow, 1978-1979
- Affiliate Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Washington, 1993-1997
- Adjunct Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of New Mexico, 1988-1995
- Fellow, American Vacuum Society
- Member, American Chemical Society
- Member, North American Catalysis Society
- Member, American Institute of Chemical Engineers
- Member, Society of Automotive Engineers
- Editorial Board, Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A, 2004-2006
Publications >View All Publications
Other
Dr. Peden has written or contributed to more than 160 peer-reviewed publications on topics such as oxide surface structure and chemistry, automobile exhaust catalysis, hydrocarbon reforming on bimetallic catalysts, the structure of hydroprocessing catalysts, the kinetics of silicon nitride thin-film growth, and the fundamental adhesion properties of metal/oxide interfaces.
