Douglas Fox Professor and Department Chair, Chemistry CAS | 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
- 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. Explore all AU Faculty Experts in our media guide.
Teaching
Fall 2025
-
CHEM-110 General Chemistry I
Spring 2026
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BEHS-680 Prosem Integrtn Science/Policy
Partnerships & Affiliations
-
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Guest Researcher (2002 - present) -
Biomaterials Design Lab
Faculty member -
TAPPI
Composites Sub-committee Chair -
Clay Minerals Society
Member
Scholarly, Creative & Professional Activities
Selected Publications
- Y. Zhang, D. Fox, K. Ong, J. Ede, C. Sayes, H. Kangas, I. Leppanen, M. Goergen, R. Moon, and J. A. Shatkin, “Limitations of recent cellulose studies: How overzealous dispersion technique, fluorescence labeling and interpretation limit the findings of recent safety assessments for cellulose materials,” Trends in Food Science & Technology, 2024, 151, 104620 (7pp).
- E. Davey, J. Meiller, K. Fontana, D. Fox, N. Landaverde, S. MacAvoy, and B. Balestra, “Microplastics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in an urban tributary to the Anacostia River in Washington, DC: abundance, distribution, and chemical analysis,” Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 2023, 234, 493 (16pp).
- W. Cho, J. R. Shields, L. Dubrulle, K. Wakeman, A. Bhattarai, M. Zammarano, and D. M. Fox, “Ion – complexed chitosan formulations as effective fire-retardant coatings for wood substrates,” Polymer Degradation and Stability, 2022, 97, 109870 (9pp).
- K. Brown, M. Mendoza, T. Tinsley, M. Y. Bee-DiGregorio, M. Bible, J. L. Brooks, M. Colorado, J. Esenther, A. Farag, R. Gill, E. N. Kalivas, R. Lara, A. Lutz, J. Nazaire, A. Rasines, R. S. Rodriguez, J. C. Schwabacher, A. G. Zestos, M. R. Hartings, and D. M. Fox, “Polyvinyl Alcohol-Montmorillonite composites for water purification: Analysis of clay mineral cation exchange and composite particle synthesis,” Polyhedron, 2021, 205, 115297 (7pp).
Grants and Sponsored Research
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2018 - 2022, "Improving Interfaces of Cellulose Nanomaterials Through Ion Exchange", NIST – MSE Research Grants Program.
- 2021, "Nanocellulose Fluorescent Labeling" Vireo Advisors.
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.
Work In Progress
- "Durable Flame Retardant Coatings Using Natural Materials.”
- "Ion Exchange Equilibria and Kinetics of Lignocellulosic Materials."
- “Surface Modification of Cellulose Nanomaterials.”