Randall W. Hicks

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Degrees

Ph.D., Michigan State University
B.S., Indiana University

Research Interests

Currently, I am interested in binding anionic contaminants, particularly arsenic, from water using electron deficient alumoxanes as a solid-state adsorbents. I am generally interested in solid-state inorganic materials chemistry. My previous research focused on the design of mesoporous aluminas and their applications in catalysis.

Teaching Interests

Although I'm an inorganic chemist by training, I have enjoying teaching courses in analytical chemistry, organic chemistry and general chemistry. Additionally, I enjoy developing pedagogical materials for those courses, particularly for the labs.

Other Interests

Fatherhood, home improvement, sports, music

Student Projects

Katie Burbank, a senior chemistry, and Katrina Brakoniecki, a chemistry junior, are working in my lab on the electron deficient alumoxane project cited above. Generally, their goals are to (1) synthesize alumoxane materials from the precursors with variable loading ratios and (2) test the ability of these materials to bind arsenic. Characterization of materials is done largely via IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to qualitatively and quantitatively determine the organic loading on the mineral surface. The ability of these materials to remove arsenic from solution will be judged from the reduction in concentration of arsenic from a solution which has been exposed to the materials. Reduction in arsenic from the solution will be monitored by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Ideally, we will learn to what extent the materials need be electron deficient to achieve satisfactory loading.

Freshman Aidan Kestigian has joined the group and will be working on the synthesis of an electron deficient organic molecule to use in the development of alumoxane materials.

Senior Andrew Decker has also recently joined the group and will be investigating the binding of alumoxanes to heavy metals. His main goal will be to determine the minimum contact time necessary to achieve binding that will result in reduction of heavy metals to levels below EPA limits.