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Research Interests

Biochemical materials are usually inhomogeneous on length scales of nanometres or longer. Moreover, the most interesting molecular processes often occur in the interfacial region, where two homogeneous media meet. Accordingly, molecular-level studies of the thermodynamics, structure and dynamics of interfaces constitute one of the most interesting and active areas of current physical chemistry, driven mainly by a wide range of important chemical, biotechnical and medical applications. In view of this, an understanding of the thermodynamics and kinetics of surfaces and interfaces remain essential for the understanding and development of biotechnical processes and techniques.

Thermodynamics, structure and dynamics of liquids, colloids and interfaces

My research interest in the colloid and interface field will involve experimental techniques using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) Films. My attention will be the use of biomolecules and surfactant-based systems like emulsions and microemulsions as media for studies of these studies. Electrochemical techniques may also be employed. This interest and ensuing results may enable me to investigate analytical and computational modeling of interface thermodynamics and transport processes, with the aim of developing a theoretical framework for interpreting experimental data. I expect to address issues that may arise from experimental data such as electrostatic biomolecule-surface interactions, membrane polarization in separation of aqueous surfactant solutions, and analysis of pulsed field gradient diffusion experiments on systems using electrochemistry and NMR.

Kinetics on Solid Surfaces

In the study of molecules on solid substrates, this research will focus on the kinetics of materials chemistry. In particular, I will be interested in surface modification with self-assembled monolayers and its kinetics on the surfaces. The development of biosensors requires efficient immobilization of sensor probes on their solid surfaces with optimum coverage and orientation. I expect thin films to be deposited on gold surface by chemisorption and determine the quantity, surface coverage, and adsorption kinetics using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. The binding properties of the SAMs with some transition metals and bimolecular systems will also be of interest in this work.

Recent Publications

"The Effect of Chain Length on Two- and Three-dimensional Self-Assembled Monolayers of Alkanethiols on Gold Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Variable Temperature Cyclic Voltammetry" Samuel H. Gyepi-Garbrah, Roberta Šilerová and Peter Simon, The Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 2, 401–407 (2006).

"Carrier-Facilitated Transport of Potassium Ions Across Chloroform Membranes Using Salicyladoxime" Zugle Ruphino. Samuel H. Gyepi-Garbrah, James Kambo-Dorsa, and Victor P.Y. Gadzekpo, Ghana Journal of Chemistry 7(1), 27–32 (2006).

"Electron Transfer through H-Bonded Peptides" Heinz-Bernhard Kraatz, Irene Bediako-Amoa, Samuel H. Gyepi-Garbrah, and Todd C. Sutherland, Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 108, 20164–20172 (2004).