Current Research

My research focuses on developing improvements in efficiency of semiconductor water photolysis by exploring ferroelectric oxide heterostructures. Ferroelectric oxide semiconductors have been shown to promote oxidation on spatially distinct areas of the material surface. This effect persists even after overcoating with a wide band gap oxide film such as TiO₂. Current work aims to probe the effect of the buried ferroelectric/oxide junction on the photochemical reactivity of the surface. Research results will help provide the scientific basis for the design of a composite photolysis catalyst with improved efficiency.

Publications

• A.M. Schultz, P.A. Salvador, G.S. Rohrer, "Enhanced photochemical activity of Fe₂O₃ films supported on SrTiO₃ substrates under visible light illumination", Chemical Communications, in press.
• A. M. Schultz, Y. Zhang, P. A. Salvador, and G. S. Rohrer, "Effect of crystal and domain orientation on the visible light photochemical reduction of Ag on BiFeO₃", ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2011, 3 (5), pp 1562-1567.
  DOI: 10.1021/am200127c
• Y. Zhang, A. M. Schultz, P. A. Salvador, and G. S. Rohrer, "Spatially selective visible-light photocatalytic activity of TiO₂/BiFeO₃ heterostructures", Journal of Materials Chemistry,
  2011, 21, pp 4168-4174.
  DOI: 10.1039/c0jm04313c

Talks

• Developing ferroelectric/titania heterostructures for solar photolysis. Domen-Kubota lab seminar. University of Tokyo. Tokyo, Japan.

Posters

• A.M. Schultz, Y. Zhang, P.A. Salvador, and G.S. Rohrer. Photochemical behavior of BiFeO₃ and heterostructures. Presented at the 3^rd International Congress on Ceramics. November 2010. Osaka, Japan.
• A.M. Schultz, P.A. Salvador, and G.S. Rohrer. Spatial selectivity of photochemical oxidation and reduction on ferroelectric BiFeO₃ Surfaces. Presented at ASM International Pittsburgh Golden Triangle Chapter Young Member's Night. Awarded 4^th place. February 2010. Pittsburgh, PA.
• A.M. Schultz, P.A. Salvador, and G.S. Rohrer. Photochemical behavior of TiO₂/BiFeO₃ heterostructures Presented at the Gordon Research Conference on Fundamental Energy Applications in Solid State Ceramics. August 2010. New London, NH.

Conference Attendance

• 3^rd International Congress on Ceramics. November 2010. Osaka, Japan.
• Gordon Research Conference on Fundamental Energy Applications in Solid State Ceramics. August 2010. New London, NH.
• MS&T 2009. September 2009. Pittsburgh, PA.

Master's Thesis

A Schultz. Spatial selectivity of photochemical oxidation and reduction reactions on ferroelectric BiFeO₃ surfaces.Master's Thesis, Carnegie Mellon University. Advisors: P.A. Salvador and G.S. Rohrer. 10 December 2010.