Donald A. Perry, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Chemistry

Laney Hall 303D

University of Central Arkansas

Conway, AR 72035-5003
(501) 450-5937
email: donp@uca.edu

Courses (all course pages are on WebCT)

CHEM 1301- Chemistry Fundamentals

CHEM 1450-College Chemistry I

CHEM 1451-College Chemistry II

CHEM 4450-Physical Chemistry I (kinetics, quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and lab)

CHEM 4351-Environmental Chemistry

CHEM 4152-Environmental Chemistry laboratory

Research

Research we conduct is cross disciplinary and has components of chemical catalysis, environmental chemistry, biochemistry and space-chemistry. In general, we study the chemistry of different types of molecules adsorbed on solid surfaces. Surfaces typically include evaporated metal films, metal powders, and soil components. Different molecules under investigation include some used in organic synthesis, lubricants, pesticides/herbicides, amino acids, and a variety of medicinal molecules such as analgesics including aspirin, ibuprofen, and the active ingredient in Tylenol. The reasons for studying these molecules are three fold. First, we are exploring better ways of detecting trace amounts of molecules that are found as pollutants in the environment. Secondly, we want to better understand how and why certain molecules adsorb to surfaces; this means we are exploring the chemical interactions between molecules and a surface as well as investigating the intermolecular forces between adsorbed molecules. Third, and most challenging, is we want to control how individual molecules adsorb to surfaces so we can manipulate the chemistry that occurs on the surface.