Douglas Fox Associate Professor Department of Chemistry
- Additional Positions at AU
- Affiliated with Department of Environmental Science
- Degrees
- B.S. Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, 1995 Ph.D. Chemistry, Michigan Technological University, 2001
- Bio
- Douglas M. Fox received his BS in Chemical Engineering and his PhD in Chemistry at Michigan Technological University, in Houghton, MI. He spent two years at the Naval Research Laboratory and two years at the U.S. Naval Academy investigating the physical and thermal properties of room temperature ionic liquids and polymer nanocomposites. His research and teaching focus is on “green chemistry”, environmental solutions, and the use of natural materials. His current projects utilize carbohydrates to improve the flammability, water resistance, and strength of materials.
- See Also
- Chemistry Department
- Fox Research Page
- Biomaterials Design Lab
- Sustainability Blog
- For the Media
- To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.
Partnerships & Affiliations
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National Institute of Standards and Technology
Guest Researcher (2002 - present) -
Biomaterials Design Lab
Faculty member -
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TAPPI
Composites Sub-committee Chair -
Clay Minerals Society
Member
Scholarly, Creative & Professional Activities
Research Interests
Dr. Fox's group focuses on measuring physical, chemical, and thermal properties of alternative (or "green") solutions and polymer nanocomposites. The three main current projects are polymer nanocomposites using additives prepared from natural materials, green solvents and their solutions, and kinetics of metathesis reactions. The majority of work is conducted on the AU campus; however, some measurements must be acquired in collaboration with groups at the NIST in nearby Gaithersburg, MD.
Grants and Sponsored Research
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2017, "Biomacromolecules as Flame Retardants for Wood-Based Construction Materials withImproved Weatherability", NIST – DR Research Grants Program.
- 2016, "Fluorescent Cellulose Nanomaterial Development Project" P3Nano (USDA)
Selected Publications
- D. M. Fox, R. S. Rodriguez, M. Devilbiss, J. Woodcock, C. S. Davis, R. Sinko, S. Keten, and J. W. Gilman, , “Simultaneously Tailoring Surface Energies and Thermal Stabilities of Cellulose Nanocrystals Using Ion Exchange: Effects on Polymer Composite Properties for Transportation, Infrastructure, and Renewable Energy Applications,” ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2016, 8, 27270-27281.
- D. M. Fox, M. Novy, K. Brown, M. Zammarano, R. H. Harris Jr., M. Murariu, E. McCarthy, J. Seppala, and J. W. Gilman, “Flame Retarded Poly(lactic acid) Using POSS-Modified Cellulose. 2. Effects of Intumescing Flame Retardant Formulations on Polymer Degradation and Composite Physical Properties,” Polym. Degrad. Stab., 2014, 106, 54-62.
- D. M. Fox, J. Lee, C. J. Citro, and M. Novy, “Flame Retarded Poly(lactic acid) Using POSS-Modified Cellulose. 1. Thermal and Combustion Properties of Intumescing Composites,” Polym. Degrad. Stab., 2013, 98, 590-596.
- D. M. Fox, J. Lee, M. Zammarano, D. Katsoulis, D. V. Eldred, L. Haverhals, P. C. Trulove, H. C. De Long, and J. W. Gilman, “Char – Forming Behavior of Nanofibrillated Cellulose Treated with Glycidyl Phenyl POSS,” Carbohydr. Polym., 2012, 88, 847-858.
- M. Zammarano, P. Maupin, L.-P. Sung, J. Gilman, E. McCarthy, Y. Kim, and D. M. Fox, “Revealing the Interface in Polymer Nanocomposites,” ACS Nano, 2011, 5, 3391-3399.
Work In Progress
- "Durable Flame Retardant Coatings Using Natural Materials.”
- "Ion Exchange Equilibria and Kinetics of Lignocellulosic Materials."
- “Surface Modification of Cellulose Nanomaterials.”
- "Liquid and Solvent Properties of the Mixtures Containing Ethyl Lactate."
- “Electrochemical Response of a Protein Based Electrode Using Bovine Serum Albumin Encapsulated Gold.”
- "Polymer-Clay Beads for Wastewater Treatment"
AU Expert
Area of Expertise
green chemistry, green flame retardants
Additional Information
Fox's group focuses on measuring physical, chemical, and thermal properties of alternative (or "green") solutions and polymer nanocomposites. The three main current projects are polymer nanocomposites using additives prepared from natural materials, green solvents and their solutions, and kinetics of metathesis reactions. The majority of work is conducted on the AU campus; however, some measurements must be acquired in collaboration with groups at the NIST in nearby Gaithersburg, MD.
For the Media
To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.