Tom Apple Professor, Vice Provost, Dean of Graduate Education Physical, Analytical Chemistry Walker Laboratory, 4th Floor 518.276.3022 applet@rpi.edu

Dr. Apple received his B.S. in Biology from Penn State University in 1976, and his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Delaware in 1981. Following a postdoctoral at Iowa State University with Bernie Gerstein, Dr. Apple became a faculty member at the University of Nebraska in 1983 and subsequently joined the faculty at RPI in 1991. He was awarded the Trustees Outstanding Teacher Award in 1996.

Zeolite Materials
Zeolite inclusion chemistry provides fertile ground for unique catalysis and the creation of exciting new electronic materials. Apple is exploring the behavior, of small transition metal particles absorbed in zeolite cages with the aim of exploring the influence of the zeolite structure on the reactivity, adsorption behavior, and electronic properties of the included metal. Recent work on this project has revealed exciting structure sensitivity in reactions in zeolites and co-cation induced changes in metal catalytic properties. Metal-zeolite systems also show desirable catalytic activity towards reduction of NOx species. This reaction is important in improving air quality.

Polymeric Materials
Apple and his team are investigating the physical properties and chemical reactivity of poly-carbosilanes and siliconoxycarbides by solid-state NMR. These preceramic polymers exhibit interesting multiphase behavior, which manifests itself in differing motional properties. The pyrolysis of these polymers to form SiC is also under investigation by NMR.

T. Apple, L. Interrante, M. Itoh, T. Hasegawa, K. Moraes, M. Narisawa, K. Okamura ”Synthesis of Silicon Carbide Films from Partially Oxidized Ployvinylsilane by Carbon Tetrachloride Solution Casting.” J. Mater. Res., 1, 214 (2002).

T. Apple, B.J. Ash, B.C. Benicewicz, D.F. Rogers, L.S. Schadler, R.W. Siegel ”Mechanical Properties of Al203/Polymethylmethacrylate Nanocomposites.” Polymer Composites, 23, 1014 (2002).

T. Apple, B.J. Ash, B.C. Benicewicz, D.F. Rogers, L.S. Schadler, R.W. Siegel, J. Stone, “Investigation into the Thermal and Mechanical Behavior of PMMA/Alumnia Nanocomposites.” Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc., 661 (2001).

T. Apple, W.N. Gill, F. Wang, “Thermal Redistribution Reactions of Blackglas Ceramic.” J. Appl. Poly., 81, 143 (2001).

T. Apple, D. Nowosielski, “Solid-State NMR Studies of the Ammonia Absorption on the DeNOx Catalyst V2O5/TiO2.” Am. Lab. N., 33, 24 (2001).

T.M. Apple, C.C. Roberts, G.E. Wnek, “Curing Chemistry of Phenylethynyl-Terminated Imide Oligomers: Synthesis of 13C Labeled Oligomers and Solid State NMR Studies.” J. Poly. Science A: Poly. Chem., 38, 3486 (2000).

T. Apple, W.N. Gill, C.A. Kirk, F. Wang, “NMR Characterization of Postcure Temperature Effects on the Microstructures of Blackglas Resin and Ceramic.” J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 275, 210 (2000).

T. Apple, L.V. Interrante, M. Lienhard, C. Wiegand, “Synthesis of the First Cyano-Substituted Polycarbosilanes.” Polym. Prepr., 41, 570 (2000).