Jixin Chen

    Jixin Chen, portrait
    Professor
    Chemistry 343, Athens Campus
    Chemistry and Biochemistry
    Nanoscale Quantum Phenomena Institute (NQPI)
    chenj@ohio.edu
    740-593-9768

    Education

    Professional Experience

    • Professor, Ohio University, 2025-present
    • Associate Professor, Ohio University, 2020-2025
    • Assistant Professor, Ohio University, 2014-2020
    • Postdoc., Chemistry, Rice University at Houston, TX, 2012-2014
    • Postdoc., Chemistry, University of Wisconsin at Madison, WI, 2010-2012

    Research

    • Biophysical Chemistry and Microscopy

    Dr. Jixin Chen’s group is motivated to develop methods to measure a variety of materials such as DNA, protein, polymer, ceramic, semiconductor, and metals with specific interests in surface and interfacial chemistry.

    A particular focus is on spectroscopy and microscopy characterization of these materials to understand their performance in biosensing, nanodevices, and solar cells. His group is also interested in developing computational software packages for analyzing data obtained from these measurements, especially on reaction kinetics.

    Publications

    Equipment

    Teaching and Outreach

    Dedicating to finding a pattern of facts.

    Chen’s group is motivated to develop methods to measure a variety of materials such as DNA, protein, polymer, ceramic, semiconductor, and metals with specific interests in surface and interfacial chemistry. A particular focus is on spectroscopy and microscopy characterization of these materials to understand their performance in biosensing, nanodevices, and solar cells. His group is also interested in developing computational software packages for analyzing data obtained from these measurements, especially on reaction kinetics.

    Examples of major contributions of the group include reaction kinetics such as the theory of single-molecule adsorption kinetics, quantum dot surface reaction mechanism, click chemistry kinetic model, mixed halide perovskite phase separation kinetics; COVID-19 kinetics; biophysics of dye-DNA interactions; and surface functionalization strategies.

    For example, Chen proposed a reaction kinetic model for the adsorption of diffusion molecules from the bulk solution to target molecules that are immobilized on a surface, a standard scenario for almost any heterogeneous reaction. This has been a challenge for >200 years with significant progress made by many exceptional scientists. Chen proposes a theory of fraction reaction kinetics that is very nonintuitive but supported by the experimental results in his 2022 AIP paper (Simulating stochastic adsorption of diluted solute molecules at interfaces ) for this process, and his 2022 JPCA paper (Why Should the Reaction Order of a Bimolecular Reaction be 2.33 Instead of 2? ) for adsorption in the bulk solution.

    Our Focus:As experimental physical chemists, the overall goal of our research is to develop and apply techniques and methods to understand the complex behavior of molecules and nanoparticles at surfaces and interfaces, leading to the development of new materials and technologies that will benefit our lives.

    Single Molecule Kinetics:We develop molecular probes for single-DNA imaging. We synthesize various nanoparticles and quantum dots for photoluminescence measurement and nanodevice fabrication. We use fluorescence microscopy to measure single-molecule diffusion/binding kinetics, single-molecule FRET kinetics, and single-particle fluorescence kinetics. We use statistical methods to analyze these data. The figure shows examples of using Monte Carlo simulations for the adsorption of molecules on a surface with 1D and 3D models. We are developing MATLAB codes for data analysis, fitting, and simulations on various kinetic systems, such as smFRET, reaction kinetics, and diffusion.

    Materials Science: Our group is making thin-film solar cells and characterizing their interfacial chemical and electrochemical properties. The example figure shows a perovskite solar cell (PSC) made and tested in 2018 in our lab with >15% solar efficiency at AM 1.5G standard sunlight illumination. PSC is a type of promising next-generation solar cell with a world record solar efficiency >26% 2024. We also synthesize perovskite quantum dots and study their photoluminescent properties, especially under different conditions and passivations. These materials are promising to make light-emitting diodes (LEDs), lasers, and display screens.

    External Funding

    NIH R15 2018-2022, Program officer:  Dr. Michael Smith

    NIH R15 2023-2026 (continued), Program officer:  Dr. Lisa H. Chadwick

    Title:  Super-resolution optical mapping for DNA analysis using triplex-forming oligonucleotides as stochastic molecular probes.

    Sponsor:  National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) ,  National Institute of Health (NIH) .

    NSF 2020, MRI: Acquisition of a Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/ionization Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometer to Enhance Research and Education.

    Internal Funding (Ohio University)

    2023 NQPI Research Challenge Award, internal grant

    2022 OU 1804 Award, Acquisition of an FT-IR Spectrophotometer for Teaching and Research

    2019 OU 1804 Award, Spectrometer for Education and Research in Forensic Chemistry

    2019 NQPI Research Challenge Award, internal grant

    2018 HTC Undergraduate Student Research Apprenticeship Fund

    2017 PACE Undergraduate Student Research Fund

    2017 NQPI Research Challenge Award

    2016 NQPI Research Challenge Award

    2015 OURC Fund

    2015 HTC Undergraduate Student Research Fund

    2014 Ohio University Startup Fund

    Software Released

    Honors and Awards

    Funded Grants

    • NIH R15: Super-Resolution Optical Mapping for DNA Analysis Using Triplex-Forming Oligonucleotides As Stochastic Molecular Probes,  NIH, 2023, PI, $448,094
    • NSF MRI: Acquisition of A Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometer to Enhance Research and Education.  NSF, 2020, $315,000 (co-PI)
    • Spectrometer for Education and Research in Forensic Chemistry. Ohio University 1804 internal grant, 2019, $65,989 (co-PI)
    • NIH R15: Super-Resolution Optical Mapping for DNA Analysis Using Triplex-Forming Oligonucleotides As Stochastic Molecular Probes,  NIH, 2018, PI, $ 451,682
    • Ohio University OURC award, internal grant, 2015, $8,000

    Other Awards

    • 2019 Ohio University NQPI Research Challenge Award, internal grant $2,500
    • 2018 Ohio University HTC Research Apprenticeship Award, internal grant $3,000
    • 2017 Ohio University NQPI Research Challenge Award, internal grant $2,500
    • 2016 Ohio University NQPI Research Challenge Award, internal grant $2,500
    • 2015 Ohio University HTC Pilot Research Apprenticeship Award, internal grant $3,000
    • 2014 Ohio University  Startup Fund, $290,000

    Before Joining Ohio University

    • 2010 Dow Chemical Graduate Fellowship Award, Texas A&M University
    • 2009 E. Martell Travel Award, Texas A&M University
    • 2009 Graduate Student Research and Presentation Travel Award, Texas A&M University
    • 2007 Graduate Teaching Award, Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University
    • 2006 Graduate Teaching Award: Recognizing  Excellence in Education , Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University

    Professional Services and Activities

    University and Departmental Service

    • 2020-present: Ohio University Baker Fund Committee
    • 2021-present: University Curriculum Council’s (UCC) Program Review Committee
    • 2015- present: Graduate research committee for ~10 students each year
    • 2015- present: Advising about 12 undergraduate students each semester
    • 2015- present: Coordinator for the Honors Program of the Chemistry&Biochemistry Department
    • 2016-2018 T&P Evaluation Committee
    • 2016-2018 Graduate Committee
    • 2015 CMSS/NQPI Poster judging
    • 2015-2016: Departmental Graduate Committee
    • 2015-2016: Curriculum/Teaching Committee
    • 2015 CMSS fellowship review committee
    • 2015 Graduate research committee for 1 student
    • 2014-2015: Committee member of Facilities Committee
    • 2014-2015: Curriculum/Teaching Committee

    Membership of Academic Associations

    • The American Chemical Society (ACS) 2009-present
    • The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) 2014-2018
    • Sigma Xi 2010-2012

    Review grants

    • ACS PRF proposals.
    • Panel and ad hoc reviewer for NSF

    Reviewer of journal articles

     (Peering reviewing ~20 papers per year)

    • RSC Advances, Nano Letters, Journal of Physical Chemistry B, Langmuir, Analytical Chemistry, Journal of Nanoparticle Research, Powder Technology, Lab on a Chip, Materials Research Bulletin, Journal of Solid State Chemistry, CrystEngComm, Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical, and etc.

    Publications

    Working Paper

    Chen, Jixin. Working Paper. “From Particle-in-a-Box Thought Experiment to a Complete Quantum Theory?”. ChemRxiv Preprint. , Working Paper .

    2025

    Ariyaratne, Pavithra, Lumbini P. Ramasinghe, Johathan S. Ayyash, Tyler M. Kelley, Terry A. Plant-Collins, Logan W. Shinkle, Aoife M. Zuercher, and Jixin Chen. 2025. “ Application and Significance of SIRVB Model in Analyzing COVID-19 Dynamics ”. Scientific Reports 15: 8526.

    2024

    Chen, Jixin. (2024) 2024. “ Dimensional Analysis of Diffusive Association Rate Equations ”. AIP Advances 14: 115218.

    Mowery, Jenna L., and Jixin Chen. (2024) 2024. “ Recent Biomedical Applications of Carbon Quantum Dots in Cancer Treatment ”. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 128 (39): 16291-301.

    Chen, Jixin. (2024) 2024. “ Structured Stochastic Curve Fitting Without Gradient Calculation ”. Journal of Computational Mathematics and Data Science 12: 100097.

    Pandey, Srijana, Dinesh Gautam, and Jixin Chen. (2024) 2024. “ Measuring the Adsorption Cross-Section of YOYO-1 to Immobilized DNA Molecules ”. Journal of Physical Chemistry B 128 (29): 7254-62.

    Athapaththu, Deepani V., Tharushi D Ambagaspitiya, Andrew Chamberlain, Darrion Demase, Emily Harasin, Robby Hicks, David McIntosh, et al. (2024) 2024. “ Physical Chemistry Lab for Data Analysis of COVID-19 Spreading Kinetics in Different Countries ”. Journal of Chemical Education 101 (7): 2892-98.

    “ Reply To: On the Statistical Foundation of a Recent Single Molecule FRET Benchmark ”. (2024) 2024. Nature Communications 15: 3626.

    Athapaththu, Deepani V., Martin E. Kordesch, and Jixin Chen. (2024) 2024. “ Monitoring Phase Separation and Dark Recovery in Mixed Halide Perovskite Clusters and Single Crystals Using In Situ Spectromicroscopy ”. J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 15 (4): 1105-11.

    2023

    Mao, Hanbin, and Jixin Chen. (2023) 2023. “ Quality Research Follows the Power Law ”. Journal of Scientometric Research 12 (3): 570-76.

    Gautam, Dinesh, Srijana Pandey, and Jixin Chen. (2023) 2023. “ Effect of Flow Rate and Ionic Strength on the Stabilities of YOYO-1 and YO-PRO-1 Intercalated in DNA Molecules. ”. The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B 127 (11): 2450-56. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c00777 .

    2022

    Chen, Jixin. (2022) 2022. “ Simulating Stochastic Adsorption of Diluted Solute Molecules at Interfaces. ”. AIP Advances 12 (1): 015318. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0064140 .

    Götz, Markus, Anders Barth, Søren S-R Bohr, Richard Börner, Jixin Chen, Thorben Cordes, Dorothy A Erie, et al. (2022) 2022. “ A Blind Benchmark of Analysis Tools to Infer Kinetic Rate Constants from Single-Molecule FRET Trajectories. ”. Nature Communications 13 (1): 5402. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-33023-3 .

    Chen, Jixin. (2022) 2022. “ Why Should the Reaction Order of a Bimolecular Reaction Be 2.33 Instead of 2? ”. The Journal of Physical Chemistry. A 126 (51): 9719-25. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.2c07500 .

    Smith, Dylan K, Kristin Lauro, Dymond Kelly, Joel Fish, Emma Lintelman, David McEwen, Corrin Smith, Max Stecz, Tharushi D Ambagaspitiya, and Jixin Chen. (2022) 2022. “ Teaching Undergraduate Physical Chemistry Lab With Kinetic Analysis of COVID-19 in the United States. ”. Journal of Chemical Education 99 (10): 3471-77. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.2c00416 .

    2021

    Hart, Kelle D, Chelsea Thompson, Clay Burger, Dylan Hardwick, Amanda H Michaud, Abdul H M Al Bulushi, Cole Pridemore, Carson Ward, and Jixin Chen. (2021) 2021. “ Remote Learning of COVID-19 Kinetic Analysis in a Physical Chemistry Laboratory Class. ”. ACS Omega 6 (43): 29223-32. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c04842 .

    Vicente, Juvinch R, Martin E Kordesch, and Jixin Chen. (2021) 2021. “ Stabilization of Mixed-Halide Lead Perovskites Under Light by Photothermal Effects. ”. Journal of Energy Chemistry 63: 8-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jechem.2021.08.046 .

    2020

    Shrestha, Kristina, Juvinch R Vicente, Ali Rafiei Miandashti, Jixin Chen, and Hugh H Richardson. (2020) 2020. “ Time-Resolved Temperature-Jump Measurements and Steady-State Thermal Imaging of Nanoscale Heat Transfer of Gold Nanostructures on AlGaN:Er3+ Thin Films. ”. The Journal of Chemical Physics 152 (3): 034706. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5133844 .

    Vicente, Juvinch R, and Jixin Chen. (2020) 2020. “ Phase Segregation and Photothermal Remixing of Mixed-Halide Lead Perovskites. ”. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 11 (5): 1802-7. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b03734 .

    2019

    Lum, William, Dinesh Gautam, Jixin Chen, and Laura B Sagle. (2019) 2019. “ Single Molecule Protein Patterning Using Hole Mask Colloidal Lithography. ”. Nanoscale 11 (35): 16228-34. https://doi.org/10.1039/c9nr05630k .

    Lum, William, Dinesh Gautam, Jixin Chen, and Laura B Sagle. (2019) 2019. “ Single Molecule Protein Patterning Using Hole Mask Colloidal Lithography. ”. Nanoscale 11 (35): 16228-34. https://doi.org/10.1039/c9nr05630k .

    Piecco, Kurt Waldo E Sy, Juvinch R Vicente, Joseph R Pyle, David C Ingram, Martin E Kordesch, and Jixin Chen. (2019) 2019. “ Reusable Chemically-Micropatterned Substrates via Sequential Photoinitiated Thiol-Ene Reactions As Template for Perovskite Thin-Film Microarrays. ”. ACS Applied Electronic Materials 1 (11): 2279-86. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaelm.9b00475 .

    2018

    Piecco, Kurt W E Sy, Ahmed M Aboelenen, Joseph R Pyle, Juvinch R Vicente, Dinesh Gautam, and Jixin Chen. (2018) 2018. “ Kinetic Model under Light-Limited Condition for Photoinitiated Thiol-Ene Coupling Reactions. ”. ACS Omega 3 (10): 14327-32. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.8b01725 .

    Wang, Lei, Joseph R Pyle, Katherine A Cimatu, and Jixin Chen. (2018) 2018. “ Ultrafast Transient Absorption Spectra of Photoexcited YOYO-1 Molecules Call for Additional Investigations of Their Fluorescence Quenching Mechanism. ”. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. A, Chemistry 367: 411-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2018.09.012 .

    2017

    Pyle, Joseph R, and Jixin Chen. (2017) 2017. “ Photobleaching of YOYO-1 in Super-Resolution Single DNA Fluorescence Imaging. ”. Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology 8: 2296-2306. https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.8.229 .

    2014

    Kisley, Lydia, Jixin Chen, Andrea P Mansur, Bo Shuang, Katerina Kourentzi, Mohan-Vivekanandan Poongavanam, Wen-Hsiang Chen, Sagar Dhamane, Richard C Willson, and Christy F Landes. (2014) 2014. “ Unified Superresolution Experiments and Stochastic Theory Provide Mechanistic Insight into Protein Ion-Exchange Adsorptive Separations. ”. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 111 (6): 2075-80. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1318405111 .

    Kisley, Lydia, Jixin Chen, Andrea P Mansur, Sergio Dominguez-Medina, Eliona Kulla, Marci K Kang, Bo Shuang, et al. (2014) 2014. “ High Ionic Strength Narrows the Population of Sites Participating in Protein Ion-Exchange Adsorption: A Single-Molecule Study. ”. Journal of Chromatography. A 1343: 135-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2014.03.075 .

    Shuang, Bo, Jixin Chen, Lydia Kisley, and Christy F Landes. (2014) 2014. “ Troika of Single Particle Tracking Programing: SNR Enhancement, Particle Identification, and Mapping. ”. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP 16 (2): 624-34. https://doi.org/10.1039/c3cp53968g .

    Shuang, Bo, David Cooper, Nick Taylor, Lydia Kisley, Jixin Chen, Wenxiao Wang, Chun Biu Li, Tamiki Komatsuzaki, and Christy F Landes. (2014) 2014. “ Fast Step Transition and State Identification (STaSI) for Discrete Single-Molecule Data Analysis. ”. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 5 (18): 3157-61.

    Tauzin, Lawrence J, Bo Shuang, Lydia Kisley, Andrea P Mansur, Jixin Chen, Al de Leon, Rigoberto C Advincula, and Christy F Landes. (2014) 2014. “ Charge-Dependent Transport Switching of Single Molecular Ions in a Weak Polyelectrolyte Multilayer. ”. Langmuir : The ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids 30 (28): 8391-9. https://doi.org/10.1021/la5012007 .

    Chen, Jixin, Nitesh K Poddar, Lawrence J Tauzin, David Cooper, Anatoly B Kolomeisky, and Christy F Landes. (2014) 2014. “ Single-Molecule FRET Studies of HIV TAR-DNA Hairpin Unfolding Dynamics. ”. The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B 118 (42): 12130-9. https://doi.org/10.1021/jp507067p .

    2013

    Chen, Jixin, Alberto Bremauntz, Lydia Kisley, Bo Shuang, and Christy F Landes. (2013) 2013. “ Super-Resolution MbPAINT for Optical Localization of Single-Stranded DNA. ”. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 5 (19): 9338-43. https://doi.org/10.1021/am403984k .

    2012

    English, Caroline R, Lee M Bishop, Jixin Chen, and Robert J Hamers. (2012) 2012. “ Formation of Self-Assembled Monolayers of π-Conjugated Molecules on TiO2 Surfaces by Thermal Grafting of Aryl and Benzyl Halides. ”. Langmuir : The ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids 28 (17): 6866-76. https://doi.org/10.1021/la300271h .

    Cai, Yangjun, Zhi Zhao, Jixin Chen, Tinglu Yang, and Paul S Cremer. (2012) 2012. “ Deflected Capillary Force Lithography. ”. ACS Nano 6 (2): 1548-56. https://doi.org/10.1021/nn2045278 .

    Chen, Jixin, Rose E Ruther, Yizheng Tan, Lee M Bishop, and Robert J Hamers. (2012) 2012. “ Molecular Adsorption on ZnO(1010) Single-Crystal Surfaces: Morphology and Charge Transfer. ”. Langmuir : The ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids 28 (28): 10437-45. https://doi.org/10.1021/la301347t .

    2010

    Chan, Yang-Hsiang, Jixin Chen, Qingsheng Liu, Stacey E Wark, Dong Hee Son, and James D Batteas. (2010) 2010. “ Ultrasensitive Copper(II) Detection Using Plasmon-Enhanced and Photo-Brightened Luminescence of CdSe Quantum Dots. ”. Analytical Chemistry 82 (9): 3671-8. https://doi.org/10.1021/ac902985p .

    2009

    Chan, Yang-Hsiang, Jixin Chen, Stacey E Wark, Stephanie L Skiles, Dong Hee Son, and James D Batteas. (2009) 2009. “ Using Patterned Arrays of Metal Nanoparticles to Probe Plasmon Enhanced Luminescence of CdSe Quantum Dots. ”. ACS Nano 3 (7): 1735-44. https://doi.org/10.1021/nn900317n .

    Liao, Wei-Ssu, Xin Chen, Tinglu Yang, Edward T Castellana, Jixin Chen, and Paul S Cremer. (2009) 2009. “ Benchtop Chemistry for the Rapid Prototyping of Label-Free Biosensors: Transmission Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Platforms. ”. Biointerphases 4 (4): 80-5. https://doi.org/10.1116/1.3284738 .

    Chen, Jixin, Yang-Hsiang Chan, Tinglu Yang, Stacey E Wark, Dong Hee Son, and James D Batteas. (2009) 2009. “ Spatially Selective Optical Tuning of Quantum Dot Thin Film Luminescence. ”. Journal of the American Chemical Society 131 (51): 18204-5. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja906837s .

    2008

    Shi, Jinjun, Jixin Chen, and Paul S Cremer. (2008) 2008. “ Sub-100 Nm Patterning of Supported Bilayers by Nanoshaving Lithography. ”. Journal of the American Chemical Society 130 (9): 2718-9. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja077730s .

    2007

    Liao, Wei-Ssu, Xin Chen, Jixin Chen, and Paul S Cremer. (2007) 2007. “ Templating Water Stains for Nanolithography. ”. Nano Letters 7 (8): 2452-8.

    2006

    Guan, X., N. Li, G. Wu, J. Chen, F. Zhang, and N. Guan. 2006. “ Para-Selectivity of Modified HZSM-5 Zeolites by Nitridation for Ethylation of Ethylbenzene With Ethanol ”. Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical 248 (1-2). https://doi.org/10.1007/11775096_21 .

    2005

    Landong, Li, Chen Jixin, Zhang Shujuan, Zhang Fuxiang, Guan Naijia, Wang Tianyou, and Liu Shuliang. (2025) 2005. “Selective Catalytic Reduction of Nitrogen Oxides from Exhaust of Lean Burn Engine over In-Situ Synthesized Cu-ZSM-5/Cordierite”. Environmental Science and Technology 39 (8): 2841-47. https://doi.org/10.1021/es049744t .

    Zhang, Fuxiang, Ruicai Jin, Jixin Chen, Changzhun Shao, Wenliang Gao, Landong Li, and Naijia Guan. (2025) 2005. “ High Photocatalytic Activity and Selectivity for Nitrogen in Nitrate Reduction on Ag/TiO2 Catalyst With Fine Silver Clusters ”. Journal of Catalysis 232 (2): 424-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcat.2005.04.014 .

    Li, L.D., J.X. Chen, S.J. Zhang, and N.J. Guan. 2005. “In-Situ Synthesis of Binderless ZSM-5 Zeolitic Coatings on Aluminum”. Chinese Chemical Letters 16 (2).

    Li, L., B. Xue, J. Chen, N. Guan, F. Zhang, D. Liu, and H. Feng. 2005. “Direct Synthesis of Zeolite Coatings on Cordierite Supports by in Situ Hydrothermal Method”. Applied Catalysis A: General 292 (1-2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcata.2005.06.015 .

    Li, L., J. Chen, S. Zhang, N. Guan, T. Wang, and S. Liu. 2005. “Selective Catalytic Reduction of Nitrogen Oxides over Cu-TS-1/Cordierite and LaCu-TS-1/Cordierite”. Reaction Kinetics and Catalysis Letters 84 (1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11144-005-0198-1 .

    Guan, X., N. Li, G. Wu, F. Zhang, J. Chen, and N. Guan. 2005. “Nitridation of HZSM-5 and Its Application in Ethylation of Ethylbenzene With Ethanol to Para-Diethylbenzene”. Chinese Journal of Catalysis 26 (8).

    2004

    Zhang, Fuxiang, Jixin Chen, Xiu Zhang, Wenliang Gao, Ruicai Jin, Naijia Guan, and Yuzhuo Li. (2025) 2004. “ Synthesis of Titania-Supported Platinum Catalyst: The Effect of PH on Morphology Control and Valence State During Photodeposition ”. Langmuir 20 (21): 9329-34. https://doi.org/10.1021/la049394o .

    Li, Landong, Jixin Chen, Shujuan Zhang, Naijia Guan, Manfred Richter, Reinhard Eckelt, and Rolf Fricke. (2025) 2004. “ Study on Metal-MFI/Cordierite As Promising Catalysts for Selective Catalytic Reduction of Nitric Oxide by Propane in Excess Oxygen ”. Journal of Catalysis 228 (1): 12-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcat.2004.08.016 .

    Chen, J., T. Chen, N. Guan, and J. Wang. 2004. “Dealumination Process of Zeolite Omega Monitored By27Al 3QMAS NMR Spectroscopy”. Catalysis Today 93-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2004.06.019 .

    Wu, S., X. Zheng, J. Chen, H. Zeng, and N. Guan. 2004. “Preparation and Characterization of Boron-Doping Ruthenium Catalysts for Ammonia Synthesis”. Catalysis Communications 5 (10). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catcom.2004.07.009 .

    Chen, J., E. Liu, Y. Song, L. Li, S. Zhang, and N. Guan. 2004. Improving the Si/Al Ratio of Zeolite Omega by Boron Adulteration . Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis . Vol. 154 A.

    Gao, W., J. Chen, X. Guan, R. Jin, F. Zhang, and N. Guan. 2004. “Catalytic Reduction of Nitrite Ions in Drinking Water over Pd-Cu/TiO2 Bimetallic Catalyst”. Catalysis Today 93-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2004.06.013 .

    Gao, W., R. Jin, J. Chen, X. Guan, H. Zeng, F. Zhang, and N. Guan. 2004. “Titania-Supported Bimetallic Catalysts for Photocatalytic Reduction of Nitrate”. Catalysis Today 90 (3-4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2004.04.043 .

    Zhang, F., J. Chen, X. Zhang, W. Gao, R. Jin, and N. Guan. 2004. “ Simple and Low-Cost Preparation Method for Highly Dispersed Pd/TiO2 Catalysts ”. Catalysis Today 93-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2004.06.023.

    Jin, R., W. Gao, J. Chen, H. Zeng, F. Zhang, Z. Liu, and N. Guan. 2004. “Photocatalytic Reduction of Nitrate Ion Drinking Water by Using Metal-Loaded MgTiO3-TiO2 Composite Semiconductor Catalyst”. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry 162 (2-3). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1010-6030(03)00420-9 .

    2003

    Wu, Shan, Jixin Chen, Xingfang Zheng, Haisheng Zeng, Chunming Zheng, and Naijia Guan. (2025) 2003. “Novel Preparation of Nanocrystalline Magnesia-Supported Caesium-Promoted Ruthenium Catalyst With High Activity for Ammonia Synthesis.”. Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England) , no. 19: 2488-89.

    Gao, Wenliang, Naijia Guan, Jixin Chen, Xinxin Guan, Ruicai Jin, Haisheng Zeng, Zhiguang Liu, and Fuxiang Zhang. (2025) 2003. “ Titania Supported Pd-Cu Bimetallic Catalyst for the Reduction of Nitrate in Drinking Water ”. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 46 (2): 341-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0926-3373(03)00226-1 .

    Zhang, F., N. Guan, Y. Li, X. Zhang, J. Chen, and H. Zeng. 2003. “Control of Morphology of Silver Clusters Coated on Titanium Dioxide During Photocatalysis”. Langmuir 19 (20). https://doi.org/10.1021/la034917y .

    Zhang, F., X. Zhang, J. Chen, Z. Liu, W. Gao, R. Jin, and N. Guan. 2003. “Preparation and Characterization of Ag/TiO2 Nanoparticle Catalyst and Its Photocatalytic Activity”. Chinese Journal of Catalysis 24 (11).

    Gao, W., R. Jin, J. Chen, X. Guan, H. Zeng, F. Zhang, Z. Liu, and N. Guan. 2003. “Titania-Supported Pd-Cu Bimetallic Catalyst for the Reduction of Nitrite Ions in Drinking Water”. Catalysis Letters 91 (1-2). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:CATL.0000006312.32227.4a .

    2001

    Shan, X., N. Guan, X. Zeng, J. Chen, and S. Xiang. 2001. “Studies on Cu-Containing MFI Zeolites by H2-TPR and O2-TPD”. Chinese Journal of Catalysis 22 (3).

    Shan, X., N. Guan, X. Zeng, J. Chen, S. Xiang, U. Illgen, and M. Baerns. 2001. “NO Decomposition on Cu-ZSM-5/Cordierite Monolithic Catalyst Samples With Different Si/Al Ratios”. Chinese Journal of Catalysis 22 (3).

    Chen, J.-X., N.-J. Guan, T.-H. Chen, J.-Z. Wang, B.-H. Li, and P.-C. Sun. 2001. “Synthesis and Properties of a Novel Aluminophosphate NK-101”. Kao Teng Hsueh Hsiao Hua Heush Hsueh Pao/ Chemical Journal of Chinese Universities 22 (10 SUPPL.).

    Facility and In-House Instruments

    Shared Facilities

    Sharing space with the physical chemistry division, occupying about a third of the 4000 ft^2 lab space and 6 faculty and student offices in new chemistry building east wing of 3rd floor.

    • Wet lab : ~800 ft^2 equipted with benchtops, cabins, and three fume hoods, a laminar flow clean hood, water, sink, and an ultrapure water system.
    • Laser lab: ~400 ft^2 equipted with hang-on power rack, storage, and light control system.
    • PI and Student Offices across the hallway.
    • Have access to chemistry machine shop, chemistry stockroom,  physics machine shop , and electronic shop.
    • Have access to NQPI and Ohio University shared equipment and facility.

    In-House Instruments

    • A super-resolution spectro-microscope is ready for this project. More specifically, the microscope (Nikon TiU) is equipped with four lasers (405, 473, 532, and 635 nm),  a 1.49 NA, 100x, oil-immersion objective (Nikon CFI Apo), a 20x Nikon objective, filter sets, eyepieces, and a -100  o C cooled EMCCD detector (Andor iXon 897U). The working mode can be switched between total internal reflectance fluorescence (TIRF) and Epi-fluorescence wide-field mode.
    • A Raman/AFM/NSOM scanning microscope (AlphaSNOM, Witec GmbH) . This microscope incorporates confocal scanning Raman spectromicroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM),  and near-field scanning optical microscopy together in one microscope. The microscope has been further modified into a 4-π setup with two objectives focusing on the same plain. Several lasers have been connected to the microscope including CW lasers at 405 nm, 532 nm, and 980 nm, and a pulse laser at 532 nm. A high-resolution spectrometer (detector -100  o C) and a fast single-photon avalanche photodiode (APD) detector have been attached. A temperature-control microscope stage is equipped with this microscope. This microscope is obtained from Dr. Richardson, a recently retired colleague of the PI. This instrument is now shared in the physical chemistry division with Dr. Cimatu for teaching and research.
    • An atomic force microscope (MFP 3D AFM, Asylum Research shared with Dr. Cimatu for both teaching and research).
    • A differential scanning calorimeter (DSC shared with Dr. Cimatu for both teaching and research).
    • A fluorometer (Horiba shared with Dr. Cimatu for teaching and research)
    • MATLAB codes for data analysis of single-molecule and single-particle photoluminescence, MATLAB codes for ultrafast TA data global fitting, and PL lifetime fitting have been developed and tested in several publications.
    • A Dynamic light scattering spectrometer (DynaPro).
    • A VASE Ellipsometer (VASE HS-190, tunable wavelengths, also shared for teaching).
    • A single-photon counting spectrofluorometer (the best time resolution is 40 ps).
    • A gold sputter (Denton Vacuum) and a metal thermal evaporator.
    • A Plasma cleaner (Harrick Plasma).
    • Two spin coaters (MTI and Ossila).
    • A solar simulator (Abet).
    • A Keithley 2460 power source meter.
    • A Keithley 6514 electrometer.
    • A regular fluorescence microscope.
    • A UV-Vis spectrometer.
    • Other basic lab equipment such as balances, centrifuges, ovens, furnaces, refrigerators, safety chemical cabinets, sonicators, a probe sonicator, and a Thermo Barnstead E-Pure water purification system.

    Teaching and Outreach

    Since 2021 Spring we have been practicing a kinetic analysis of COVID-19 spreading over the world as one of the several modules in our Physical Chemistry Laboratory classes CHEM 4540L. Till 2025, the undergraduate students and graduate teaching assistants have published four journal articles on this subject.

    Kelle Hart, Chelsea Thompson, Clay Burger, Dylan Hardwick, Amanda Michaud, Abdul H.M. Al Bulushi, Cole Pridemore, Carson Ward, Jixin Chen.  Remote Learning of COVID-19 Kinetic Analysis in a Physical Chemistry Laboratory Class .  ACS Omega  2021, 6, 43, 29223–29232.

    Dylan K Smith, Kristin Lauro, Dymond Kelly, Joel Fish, Emma Lintelman, David McEwen, Corrin Smith, Max Stecz, Tharushi D Ambagaspitiya, Jixin Chen.  Teaching undergraduate physical chemistry lab with kinetic analysis of COVID-19 in the United States . J. Chem. Educ. 2022, 99, 10, 3471–3477

    Deepani V Athapaththu, Tharushi D Ambagaspitiya, Andrew Chamberlain, Darrion Demase, Emily Harasin, Robby Hicks, David McIntosh, Gwen Minute, Sarah Petzold, Lauren Tefft, Jixin Chen.  Physical Chemistry Lab for Data Analysis of COVID-19 Spreading Kinetics in Different Countries . J. Chem. Educ. 2024, 101, 7, 2892–2898

    Pavithra Ariyaratne, Lumbini P Ramasinghe, Johathan S Ayyash, Tyler M Kelley, Terry A Plant-Collins, Logan W Shinkle, Aoife M Zuercher, Jixin Chen.  Application and Significance of SIRVB Model in Analyzing COVID-19 Dynamics . Scientific Reports. 2025, in press.

    Courses Taught

    Repeating the following classes each year

    CHEM 3510 Physical Chemistry

    Semester: FallYear offered: 2023

    For premedicine, B.S.Ed., B.S.I.H., and A.B. Chemistry majors. Topics include thermodynamics, thermochemistry, equilibrium, solutions, and kinetics.

    CHEM 6950 Research and Thesis

    Semester: SummerYear offered: 2023

    CHEM 6950 8915 8950 8980

    Semester: SpringYear offered: 2023

    Graduate research.

    CHEM 6950 8915 8950 8980

    Semester: SpringYear offered: 2023

    Graduate research.

    CHEM 4940 4941 4940H

    Semester: Spring Year offered: 2023

    Undergraduate research.

    CHEM 4540 and 4540L Physical Chemistry 2

    Semester: Spring Year offered: 2022

    CHEM 5510 Physical Chemistry for online master's program

    Semester: SummerYear offered: 2021

    Thermodynamics, kinetics, statistical thermodynamics, and quantum chemistry.

    CHEM 4530 and 4530L Physical Chemistry 1

    Semester: SpringYear offered: 2019

    CHEM 7950 Special topics in physical chemistry

    Semester: SpringYear offered: 2018

    Fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopySurface and interfacial chemistry

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