James White Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry

CGL 225
540-458-4863
jlwhite@wlu.edu

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry and Materials, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ Jan. 2016

• Master of Arts in Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ Jan. 2013 

• Honors B.S. in Chemistry with Distinction, University of Delaware, Newark, DE May 2011
  • Minors: Biochemistry, Economics, Mathematics

Research

• Interfacial Chemistry of Coated Li-Ion Battery Materials with Dr. Farid El Gabaly, Sandia National Laboratories May 2018-Jun. 2019
• Hydrogen Storage for Vehicular Applications with Dr. Vitalie Stavila, Dr. Farid El Gabaly, and Dr. Mark D. Allendorf, Sandia National Laboratories
  • Role of Surface Oxygen in Hydrogen Desorption from Metal Hydrides Nov. 2016- Jun. 2019
  • Nanoconfinement of Complex Metal Hydrides in Porous Materials Feb. 2016- Jun. 2019
  • Hydrogen Sorption in Porous Materials Feb. 2016- Jun. 2019
  • Hydrogen Reversibility in Metal Closo-Borates and Borohydrides Feb. 2016- Jun. 2019
• Energy Electrochemistry with Dr. Andrew B. Bocarsly, Inorganic Chemistry, Princeton University
  • Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Liquid Fuels using Indium-Based Nanoparticles Jul. 2011-Jan. 2016
  • Oxidation State Role in CO2 Reduction Efficiency on Tin Oxide Nanoparticles Aug. 2014- Jan. 2016
  • Improved Ethanol Fuel Cell Membranes through Exchange with Large Cations Feb. 2015- Jan. 2016
• Materials for Energy with Dr. Joshua L. Hertz, Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware
  • Synthesis of Doped Lanthanum Silicates for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrolytes Feb. 2010-May 2011
  • Functionalization of Polysulfone Membranes for Alkaline Fuel Cells Jun. 2010-Nov. 2010
  • Synthesis of K2NiF4-Type Oxide Conductors for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Jun. 2009-Feb. 2010
• Natural Product Synthesis with Dr. Douglass F. Taber, Organic Chemistry, University of Delaware
  • Towards the Enatioselective Synthesis of Nuphar Alkaloids Feb.-May 2009

Teaching

• Visiting Assistant Professor, Washington & Lee University, Lexington, VA Jul. 2019-present
• Summer Intern Mentor, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA Jun. 2017-Aug. 2017
• Undergraduate Researcher Mentor, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ Jun. 2012-Jan. 2016
  • Introduced six undergraduates to scientific research, instructed in safety and good practices, directed research projects and experiments, aided in preparation of reports.
• General Chemistry Grader, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ Sep. 2012-Jan. 2016
  • Assisted in grading problem sets and exams for CHM 201, 202, and 207.
• Chemistry Tutor, Princeton, NJ Nov. 2014-May 2015
  • Privately tutored local high school students in honors chemistry and for SAT II Subject Test
• Assistant in Instruction, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ Sep. 2013-May 2014
  • Instructed general chemistry discussion sections, helped prepare and proctor examinations, graded problem sets and examinations, led review sessions.
    • CHM 207-Advanced General Chemistry: Materials Chemistry (Fall 2013)
    • CHM 215-Advanced General Chemistry: Honors Course (Spring 2014)
• Teaching Assistant, University of Delaware, Newark, DE Aug. 2009-May 2011
  • Provided study sessions and office hours for quantitative and physical chemistry students.
• Chemistry Tutor, University of Delaware, Newark, DE Feb. 2008-May 2011
  • Assisted other students in understanding general and organic chemistry and mathematics.

Selected Publications

Jeong, S.; Heo, T.W.; Oktawiec, J.; Rongpei, S.; Kang, SY.; White, J.L.; Zaia, E.; Wan, L. Ray, K.; Liu, Y.- S.; Stavila, V.; Guo, J.; Long, J.; Wood, B.; Urban, J. “Unveiling the mechanism of phase evolution and hydrogen storage behavior in nanocrystalline Mg(BH4)2 within reduced graphene oxide.” J. Amer. Chem. Soc., in review.

Hurst, K. et al. “An International Laboratory Comparison Study of Volumetric and Gravimetric Hydrogen Adsorption Measurements.” ChemPhysChem, accepted. DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201900166

Wang, T.C.; White, J.L., Bie, B.; Deng, H.; Edgington, J.; Sugar, J.D.; Stavila, V.; Allendorf, M.D. “Design Rules for Metal-Organic Framework Stability in High-Pressure Hydrogen Environments.” ChemPhysChem, 2019, 20 (10), 1305-1310.

Sugai, C.; Kim, S.; Severa, G.; White, J.L.; Leick, N.; Martinez, M.B; Gennett, T.; Stavila, V.; Jensen, C. “Kinetic Enhancement of Direct Hydrogenation of MgB2 to Mg(BH4)2 upon Mechanical Milling with THF, MgH2, and/or Mg.” ChemPhysChem, 2019, 20 (10), 1301-1304. (cover article)

Liu, Y.-S.†; Jeong, S.†; White, J.L.; Feng, X.; Cho, E.S.; Stavila, V.; Allendorf, M.D.; Urban, J.J.; Guo, J. “In-situ/Operando X-Ray Characterization of Metal Hydrides.” ChemPhysChem, 2019, 20 (10), 1261-1271.

White, J.L.; Rowberg, A.J.E.; Wan, L.; Kang, SY. Ogitsu, T.; Kolasinski, R.D.; Whaley, J.A.; Baker, A.A.; Lee, J.R.I.; Liu, Y.-S.; Trotochaud, L.; Guo, J.; Stavila, V.; Prendergast, D.; Bluhm, H.; Allendorf, M.D.; Wood, B.C.; El Gabaly, F. “Promotion of Dehydrogenation of Ti-Doped NaAlH4 by Dynamic Surface Hydroxides.” ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces., 2019, 11 (5), 4930-4941.

Vajo, J.J.; Tan, H.; Ahn, C.C.; Addison, D.; Hwang, S.-J.; White, J.L.; Wang, T.C.; Stavila, V.; Graetz, J. “Electrolyte-Assisted Hydrogen Storage Reactions.” J. Phys. Chem. C, 2018, 122, 26845-26850.

Schneemann, A.†; White, J.L.†; Kang, SY.; Jeong, S.; Wan, L.F.; Cho, E.S.; Heo, T.W.; Prendergast, D.; Urban, J.J.; Wood, B.C.; Allendorf, M.D.; Stavila, V. “Nanostructure Metal Hydrides for Hydrogen Storage.” Chem. Rev., 2018, 118 (22), 10775-10839. (cover article)

Jensen, S.R.H.; Paskevicius, M.; Hansen, B.R.S.; Jakobsen, A.S.; Møller, K.T.; White, J.L.; Allendorf, M.D.; Stavila, V.; Skibsted, J.; Jensen, T.R. “Hydrogenation properties of lithium and sodium hydride – closo-borate, [B10H10]2- and [B12H12]2-, composites.” Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2018, 20, 16266-16275.

Carr, C.; Jayawardana, W.; Zou, H.; White, J. L.; El Gabaly, F.; Conradi, M.; Stavila, V.; Allendorf, M.; Majzoub, E. “Anomalous H2 Desorption Rate of NaAlH4 Confined in Nitrogen-Doped Nanoporous Carbon Frameworks.” Chem. Mater., 2018, 30 (9), 2930-2938.

Ray, K.G.; Klebanoff, L.E.; Lee, J.R.I.; Stavila, V.; Heo, T.W.; Shea, P.; Baker, A.A.; Kang, S.; Bagge- Hansen, M.; Liu, Y.-S.; White, J.L.; Wood, B.C. “Elucidating the mechanisms of MgB2 initial hydrogenation via a combined experiment-theory study.” Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2017, 19 (34), 22646- 22658. (cover article)

Dimitriveska, M.; White, J.L.; Zhou, W.; Stavila, V.; Klebanoff, L.E.; Udovic, T.J. “Structure-dependent vibrational dynamics of Mg(BH4)2 polymorphs probed with neutron vibrational spectroscopy and first- principles calculations.” Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2016, 18, 25546-25552.

White, J.L.; Newhouse, R.J.; Zhang, J.Z.; Udovic, T.J.; Stavila, V. “Understanding and Mitigating the Effects of Stable Dodecahydro-closo-dodecaborate Intermediates on Hydrogen-Storage Reactions.” J. Phys. Chem. C, 2016, 120 (45), 25725-25731.

White, J.L.; Bocarsly, A.B. “Enhanced Carbon Dioxide Reduction Activity on Indium-Based Nanoparticles.” J. Electrochem. Soc., 2016, 163 (6), H410-H416.

White, J.L.; Baruch, M.F.; Pander, J.E. III; Hu, Y.; Fortmeyer, I.C.; Park, J.E.; Zhang, T.; Liao, K.; Gu, J.; Yan, Y.; Shaw, T.W.; Abelev, E.; Bocarsly, A.B. “Light-Driven Reduction of Carbon Dioxide: Photocatalysts and Photoelectrodes.” Chem. Rev., 2015, 115 (23), 12888-12935. (invited review)

Baruch, M.F. †; Pander, J.E. III†; White, J.L.; Bocarsly, A.B. “Mechanistic Insights into the Reduction of CO2 on Tin Electrodes using in Situ ATR-IR Spectroscopy.” ACS Catal. 2015, 5, 3148-3156.

Detweiler, Z.M.; White, J.L.; Bernasek, S.L.; Bocarsly, A.B. “Anodized Indium Metal Electrodes for Enhanced Carbon Dioxide Reduction in Aqueous Electrolyte.” Langmuir 2014, 30 (25), 7593-7600.

White, J.L.; Herb, J.T.; Kaczur, J.J.; Majsztrik, P.W.; Bocarsly, A.B. “Photons to Formate: Efficient Electrochemical Solar Energy Conversion Via Reduction of Carbon Dioxide.” J. CO2 Util. 2014, 7, 1-5.
† denotes co-first authors

Presentations

Oral

“Promotion of dehydrogenation of Ti-Doped NaAlH4 by dynamic surface hydroxides measured in operando”
J.L. White, A.J.E. Rowberg, T. Ogitsu, R.D. Kolasinski, V. Stavila, M.D. Allendorf, B.C. Wood,
F. El Gabaly

• 2017 Advanced Light Source User Meeting, Surmounting Fundamental Challenges to Vehicular Hydrogen Storage Using Soft X-Ray Techniques Workshop, Berkeley, Oct. 2017 (invited)

“Effect of nanostructuring on hydrogen storage properties of complex metal hydrides confined inside nanoporous carbons” J.L. White, V. Stavila, B.C. Wood, T.W. Heo, L.E. Klebanoff, E. Majzoub,
M.D. Allendorf

• 253rd American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition, San Francisco, Apr. 2017

“Changes in Hydrogen Storage Reactivity of Nanoconfined Metal Hydrides Formed in situ Inside Metal-
Organic Frameworks” J.L. White, V. Stavila, M.D. Allendorf, B.C. Wood, J.D. Sugar, F. El Gabaly, R.D. Kolasinski, L.E. Klebanoff, X. Zhao

• 2016 MOF Young Investigators Symposium, U. California, San Diego, Sep. 2016

“Electroreduction of Carbon Dioxide on Indium-Based Nanoparticles” J.L. White and A.B. Bocarsly

• 248th American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition, San Francisco, Aug. 2014

“Synthesis and Characterization of Doped Apatite-Type Lanthanum Silicates for Use as Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Electrolytes,” J.L. White and J.L. Hertz

• Senior Thesis Symposium, U. Delaware, May 2011
• 75th Intercollegiate Student Chemists’ Convention, Franklin & Marshall College, Apr. 2011
  • Second place, Inorganic Division

Poster

“Role of Surface Oxidation in the Dehydrogenation of Complex Metal Hydrides” J.L. White, A.J.E. Rowberg,
L. F. Wan, SY. Kang, T. Ogitsu, R.D. Kolasinski, J.A. Whaley, T.C. Wang, A.A. Baker, J.R.I. Lee, Y.-S. Liu, L. Trotochaud, J. Guo, V. Stavila, D. Prendergast, H. Bluhm, M.D. Allendorf, B.C. Wood, F. El Gabaly

• 2018 Materials Research Society Fall Meeting & Exhibit, Boston, Nov. 2018

“Roles of Titanium and Oxygen at the Surface in the Dehydrogenation of Titanium-Doped Sodium Aluminum Hydride” J.L. White, T. Ogitsu, R.D. Kolasinski, S. Kang, V. Stavila, M.D. Allendorf, B.C. Wood,
F. El Gabaly

• Sandia Postdoctoral Development Technical Showcase, Nov. 2017
• Hydrogen-Metal Systems Gordon Research Seminar and Conference, Stonehill College, Jul. 2017

“Enabling Reversibility in Hydrogen Storage Materials” J. L. White, F. El Gabaly, R. D. Kolasinski,
B.C. Wood, L.E. Klebanoff, M.D. Allendorf, V. Stavila

• Sandia Postdoctoral Development Technical Showcase, Sandia National Labs, Nov. 2016

“Electroreduction of Carbon Dioxide on Indium-Based Electrodes with the Use of Solar Energy as Power
Source” J.L. White, Z.M. Detweiler, J.T. Herb, J.J. Kaczur, P.W. Majsztrik, S.L. Bernasek, A.B. Bocarsly

• Third Biennial CO2 Workshop, Princeton U., Mar. 2015
• Andlinger Center for Energy & Environment E-ffiliates Third Annual Meeting, Princeton U., Nov. 2014

“Pyridine- and imidazolium-treated membrane electrode assemblies for electrocatalytic gas-phase reduction of
carbon dioxide in a reverse fuel cell” J.L. White, A.B. Bocarsly

• 244th American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition, Philadelphia, Aug. 2012

“Synthesis and Characterization of Alkaline Anion-Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cells” J.L. White and
J.L. Hertz

• First Annual Undergraduate Research and Service Celebratory Symposium, U. Delaware, Aug. 2010

“Synthesis and Characterization of New Ceramic Oxygen Conductors” J.L. White and J.L. Hertz

• 2010 Undergraduate Research Scholars Poster Session, U. Delaware, Apr. 2010
• Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Freshman Poster Session, U. Delaware, Dec. 2009
• 12th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Chemical and Biological Sciences, U. Maryland Baltimore County, Oct. 2009
  • Second Place, Chemical Sciences Division 4
• 2009 Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium, U. Delaware, Aug. 2009

Honors and Awards

• Sandia Spot Award “for going above and beyond the call of postdoc duty to ensure lab safety and function”
• Margaret and Herman Sokol Fellowship in Chemistry for 2013-2014 for excellence in teaching
• 2012 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Program Honorable Mention
• David V. Milligan '62 Fellowship
• Princeton University Centennial Fellowship
• American Institute of Chemists Award in Chemistry
• Phi Beta Kappa (ΦΒΚ) Society
• American Chemical Society Delaware Section Award for outstanding junior chemistry major
• American Chemical Society Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry
• University of Delaware 1743 Distinguished Scholarship
• National Merit Scholar

Professional Organizations

• Materials Research Society, 2018-present
• Electrochemical Society, 2015-present
• American Chemical Society, 2007-present
  • Student Affiliates at the University of Delaware, 2007-2011
    • President 2009-2011
• Princeton University Department of Chemistry Graduate Student Organization, 2011-2016
  • Treasurer 2014-2016
  • Secretary 2013

Service

• STEM Day at the Lab, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Nov. 2018
• ALL SET-Chemistry, Princeton Public Library, 2015-2016
• Cornerstone Community Kitchen, Princeton, NJ, 2012-2016
• National Chemistry Week Activities Night 2013: Energy, Princeton University, Nov. 2013
• National Chemistry Week Activities Night 2012: Nanotechnology, Princeton University, Oct. 2012
• National Chemistry Week Activities Night 2011: Health and Chemistry, Princeton University, Oct. 2011
• Hydrogen Fuel Cells, A Day in Engineering for Middle School Students, University of Delaware, Nov. 2010
• Celebrating National Chemistry Week 2010, The Independence School, Nov. 2010
• Fuel Cell Cars, Engineering Cool Stuff Camp, University of Delaware, Jul. 2010
• Celebrating National Chemistry Week 2009, The Independence School, Nov. 2009