(6kd) Colloidal Templating of Model Mesostructured Surfaces for Electrochemistry, Optics, and Sensing

Research Interests: Mesostructured surfaces such as colloid-based porous materials have been investigated extensively as optical materials, sensors, catalysts, and electrodes, allowing them to be used to help solve global problems in energy, healthcare, and security [1]. These applications are largely enabled by structure on the micron and sub-micron scale (i.e., mesoscale), which controls or enhances physical effects such as light scattering, capillary forces, and mass transport. Many unanswered questions remain regarding these fundamental structure-property relationships, which could be addressed using well-defined mesostructures as a model system. My research uses synthetic control over mesostructured surfaces to investigate their structure-dependent properties and ultimately design new multifunctional materials.

Research Experience: My doctoral research at Harvard probed the self-assembly of colloids into mesoscopically ordered, porous structures known as inverse opals. My studies of colloidal assemblies included their fabrication (using the molecular state of precursors to achieve new structures) and their optical [2, 3] and wetting [4] properties. The overall theme was structure-property relationships, especially how our synthetic control over the structure allowed us to control the materials’ properties. As a postdoc at MIT, I have gained expertise in electrochemistry, working on several topics related to electrochemical CO2 capture and conversion [5], developing materials where the molecular, nanoscale, and mesoscale structure influenced their activity.

Future Research Directions: As an independent scientist, I plan to work at the interface of my previous research areas by using colloidal templating to make model systems for investigating different physical effects at mesostructured interfaces. In particular, my lab will develop methodologies to make novel hierarchical mesomaterials with well-controlled properties, and then use them as model systems for electrochemical, optical, and sensing applications. The Phillips Lab’s advanced understanding of both the synthesis and properties of hierarchical materials will lead to improved manufacturing processes, more efficient carbon capture and conversion, and better pollution detection, ultimately opening the door to additional future applications in energy, healthcare, and security such as fuel cells, drug delivery, and optical displays.

Teaching Experience and Teaching Interests: I have taught a wide range of courses, including introductory and advanced undergraduate and graduate classes in chemistry and engineering. In particular, I was a teaching fellow (~TA) for an introductory chemistry course, an introductory food science/soft matter course (for which I received the White Prize for Excellence in Teaching), a quantum chemistry course, a graduate teaching course, and an advanced course on the chemistry of materials (for which I received a Certificate of Distinction in teaching). I would be interested in teaching similar courses in the future, as well as classes related to materials synthesis, nanotechnology, and colloid chemistry. Beyond formal teaching, I also have extensive undergraduate advising experience, as well as experience mentoring undergraduate and masters students in the lab. I have volunteered at a number of science outreach activities, and started a new outreach program for high school students.

Selected Publications:
1. K. R. Phillips, G. England, S. Sunny, E. Shirman, T. Shirman, N. Vogel, and J. Aizenberg. “A Colloidoscope of Colloid-Based Porous Materials and Their Uses.” Chem. Soc. Rev., 2016, 45, 281-322. *cover article
2. K. R. Phillips*, T. Shirman*, E. Shirman, A. V. Shneidman, T. Kay, and J. Aizenberg. “Nanocrystalline Precursors for the Co-Assembly of Crack-Free Transition Metal Oxide Inverse Opals.” Adv. Mater. 2018, 30, 1706329. (*equal contribution)
3. K. R. Phillips, N. Vogel, Y. Hu, M. Kolle, C. C. Perry, and J. Aizenberg. “Tunable Anisotropy in Inverse Opals: Mechanism and Emerging Optical Properties.” Chem. Mater. 2014, 26, 1622-1628.
4. K. R. Phillips, N. Vogel, I. B. Burgess, C. C. Perry, and J. Aizenberg. “Directional Wetting in Anisotropic Inverse Opals.” Langmuir, 2014, 30, 7615-7620.
5. K. R. Phillips, Y. Katayama, J. Hwang, and Y. Shao-Horn. “Sulfide-derived copper for electrochemical conversion of CO2 to formic acid.” J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2018, 9, 4407-4412.