Dr. Peter N. Njoki Associate Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Location: Turner Hall 227
Phone: 757.727.5833
E-mail: peter.njoki@hamptonu.edu
Expertise: Nanoscience

Education:

• B.Ed. Chemistry and Mathematics, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
• Ph.D. Chemistry, State University of New York (SUNY) at Binghamton, NY
• Postdoctoral Research Associate, Research Foundation of SUNY, Binghamton, NY
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Research Interests
Nanoscience, Materials chemistry, Catalysis, Renewable Energy, Electrochemistry and Nano-Forensic Chemistry

The main focus of our research interests is in nanoscience, materials chemistry, catalysis, renewable energy, electrochemistry and application of nanotechnology in forensic chemistry. Current projects involve synthesis and characterization of monometallic and alloyed nanoparticles based on gold, silver, platinum and copper. These nanoparticles have applications in catalysis, fuel cells, drug delivery, and forensic detections. Future works will focus on (i) extending the applications of these nanomaterials to fuel cell based breathalyzers, detection of latent finger prints, and trace evidence analysis; and (ii) studying the toxicity of silver nanoparticles resulting from the vast applications in many consumers’ products.

Professional Appointments

2019 – present	Associate Professor, Hampton University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hampton, VA
2014 – 2019	Assistant Professor, Hampton University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hampton, VA
2010 – 2012	Postdoctoral Fellow, Syracuse University, Chemistry Department, Syracuse, NY
2007 – 2010	Postdoctoral Research Associate, Research Foundation of SUNY, Binghamton, NY

Teaching/Research Experiences

2019 – present	Associate Professor, Hampton University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hampton, VA
2014 – 2019	Assistant Professor, Hampton University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hampton, VA
2003 – 2007	Graduate/Teaching Assistant, Chemistry Department, Binghamton University (State University of New York), Binghamton, NY

Professional Societies

• Member, American Chemical Society (2003 – present)
• Member, Materials Research Society (2003 – present)
• Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2009 – 2014)
• Member, American Chemical Society Binghamton Local Section (2003 – 2010)
• Member, American Chemical Society Syracuse Local Section (2010 – 2014)
• Member, American Chemical Society Hampton Roads Local Section (2014 – present)
• Chair, American Chemical Society Hampton Roads Local Section (2019)
• Member, Virginia Academy of Science (2016  – present)

Honors and Awards

• Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow, 2022
• Virginia Tech NanoEarth Multicultural and Underrepresented Nanoscience Initiative (MUNI) grant subsidy to cover the cost of analyzing nanomaterials for a project entitled “Investigating the correlation among properties, morphologies and composition of non-precious bimetallic heterogeneous nanoparticle catalysts.” 2019.
• American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund (ACS-PRF) Grant for Undergraduate Research (UR), 2019-2022.
• NanoHU Faculty Research Award, 2015.
• P & G Research and Technical Careers in Industry Conference for outstanding African American, Hispanic, Native American and other doctoral and postdoctoral scientists, Selected Participant and Travel Award (Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH, 2009).

Patents

• Zhong, C. J.; Wanjala, B.; Luo, J.; Njoki, P. N.; Loukrakpam, R.; Shao, M.; Protsailo, L. V.; Kawamura, T. “Supported Catalysts” US Patent No. 9548501 (2017).
• Zhong, C. J.; Luo, J.; Kariuki, N. N.; Wang, L.; Njoki, P. N.; Mott, D. “Method of Synthesizing and Processing Carbon-supported, Gold and Gold-based Multimetallic Nanoparticles for Use as Catalysts” US Patent No. 7687428 (2010).
• Zhong, C. J.; Njoki, P. N.; Luo, J. “Controlled Synthesis of Highly Monodispersed Gold Nanoparticles” US Patent No. 7524354 (2009).

Links to my Research

Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID)

My Google Scholar Publications

Peer-Reviewed Publications at Hampton University (* Corresponding author, Undergraduate Student)

1. Ghebreyessus, K.; Ndip, E.; Waddell, M.; Asojo, O.; Njoki, P. N.* Cultivating Success Through Undergraduate Research Experience in a Historically Black College and University. J. Chem. Educ. 2022, 99, 307 – 316. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.1c00416
2. Hughes, S. M.; Hendricks, M. P.; Mullaugh, K. M.; Anderson, M. E.; Bentley, A. K.; Clar, J. G.; Daly Jr., C. A.; Ellison, M. D.; Feng, V. Z.; Gonzalez-Pech, N. I.; Hamachi, L. S.; Heinecke, C. L.; Keene, J. D.; Maley, A. M.; Munro, A. M.; Njoki, P. N.; Olshansky, J. H.; Plass, K. E.; Riley, K. R.; Sonntag, M. D.; St. Angelo, S. K.; Thompson, L. B.; Tollefson, E. J.; Toote, L. E.; Wheeler, K. E. The Primarily Undergraduate Nanomaterials Cooperative: A new model for supporting collaborative research at small institutions on a national scale. ACS Nanosci. Au. 2021, 1, 6 – 14.  DOI: 10.1021/acsnanoscienceau.1c00020
3. Njoki, P. N. Remote Teaching of General Chemistry for Nonscience Majors during COVID-19. J. Chem. Educ. 2020, 97, 3158 – 3162. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.0c00864
4. Njoki, P. N.*; Rhoades, A. E.; Barnes, J. I. Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Anisotropic Copper-Silver Nanoparticle. Mater. Chem. Phys. 2020, 241, 122348. DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2019.122348
   
5. Njoki, P. N. Transformation of Silver Nanoparticles in Phosphate Anions: An Experiment for High School Students. J. Chem. Educ. 2019, 96, 546 – 552. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.8b00602
6. Njoki, P. N.*; Roots, M. E. D.; Maye, M. M. The Surface Composition of Au/Ag Core/Alloy Nanoparticles Influences the Methanol Oxidation Reaction. ACS Appl. Nano Mater. 2018, 1, 5640 – 5645. DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.8b01255

Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications (Prior to Hampton University)

1. Njoki, P. N.; Wu, W.; Lutz, P.; Maye, M. M. Growth Characteristics and Optical Properties of Core/Alloy Nanoparticles Fabricated via the Layer-by-Layer Hydrothermal Route. Chem. Mater. 2013, 25, 3105 – 3113. DOI: 10.1021/cm401286w
2. Njoki, P. N.; Lutz, P. S.; Wu, W.; Solomon, L.; Maye, M. M. Exploiting Core/Shell and Core/Alloy Interfaces for Asymmetric Growth of Nanoparticles. Chem. Commun. 2012, 48, 10449 – 10451. DOI: 10.1039/C2CC34184K
3. Njoki, P. N.; Solomon, L. V.; Wu, W.; Alam, R.; Maye, M. M. Attenuating Surface Plasmon Resonance via Core/Alloy Architectures. Chem. Commun. 2011, 47, 10079 – 10081. DOI: 10.1039/C1CC12596F
4. Wu, W.; Njoki, P. N.; Han, H.; Zhao, H.; Schiff, E. A., Lutz, P. S.; Solomon, L.; Matthews, S.; Maye, M. M. Processing Core/Alloy/Shell Nanoparticles: Tunable Optical Properties and Evidence for Self-Limiting Alloy Growth. J. Phys. Chem. C, 2011, 115, 9933 – 9942. DOI: 10.1021/jp201151m
5. Njoki, P. N.; Wu, W.; Zhao, H.; Hutter, L.; Schiff, E. A.; Maye, M. M. Layer-by-layer Processing and Optical Properties of Core/Alloy Nanostructures. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 5224 – 5227. DOI: 10.1021/ja200650w
6. Zhong, C. J.; Luo, J.; Njoki, P. N.; Mott, D.; Wanjala, B. N.; Loukrakpam, R.; Lim, S. I-Im; Wang, L.; Fang, B.; Xu, Z. Fuel Cell Technology: Nano-engineered Multimetallic Catalysts. Energy & Environ. Sci. 2008, 1, 454 – 466. DOI: 10.1039/B810734N
7. Lim, S. I-Im; Mott, D.; Ip, W.; Njoki, P. N.; Pan, Y.; Zhou, S.; Zhong, C. J. Interparticle Interactions in Glutathione Mediated Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles. Langmuir, 2008, 24, 8857 – 8863. DOI: 10.1021/la800970p
8. Luo. J.; Wang, L.Y.; Mott, D.; Njoki, P. N.; Lin, Y.; He, T.; Xu, Z.; Wanjala, B.; Lim, S. I-Im.; Zhong, C. J. Core@Shell Nanoparticles as Electrocatalysts for Fuel Cell Reactions. Adv. Mater. 2008, 20, 4342 – 4347.DOI: 10.1002/adma.200703009
9. Lim, S. I-Im; Njoki, P. N.; Park, H. Y.; Wang, X.; Wang, L.; Mott, D.; Zhong, C. J. Gold and Magnetic Oxide/Gold Core/Shell Nanoparticles as Bio-functional Nanoprobes. Nanotechnology, 2008, 19, 305102 (11pp). DOI:10.1088/0957-4484/19/30/305102
10. Njoki, P. N.; Lim, S. I-Im; Park, H. Y.; Khan, B.; Mishra, S.; Sujakumar, R.; Luo, J.; Zhong, C. J. Size Correlation of Optical and Spectroscopic Properties for Gold Nanoparticles. J. Phys. Chem. C, 2007, 111, 14664 – 14669. DOI: 10.1021/jp074902z

Book Chapters

1. Luo, J.; Fang, B.; Wanjala, B. N.; Njoki, P. N.; Loukrakpam, R.; Yin, J.; Mott, D.; Lim, S.; Zhong, C. J. Nanoparticles for Fuel Cell Applications. Chapter 7 in Inorganic Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Applications, and Perspectives, Claudia Altavilla Ed., CRC Press, Taylor and Francis, 2017.
2. Zhong, C. J.; Luo, J.; He, T.; Mott, D.; Njoki, P. N.; Wang, L. Oxygen Reduction on Pt Alloys: Nanotechnology in Electrocatalysis. Catalysts for Oxygen Electroreduction – Recent Developments and New Directions, Ed. T. He, Chapter 5, 91 – 129, 2009.

Selected Presentations

2021	“Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Copper-based Nanoparticles for Catalysis” (Invited Talk), Virginia Clean Energy and Catalysis Club (VA-CECC) Summit, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, Virtual Summitt, August 2. Njoki, P. N.

2021	“Conducting Engaging Chemistry Laboratory Classes from Freshmen to Senior Level in a Remote Environment” NOBCChE Post-Conference Collaborative Virtual Webinar, January 28. Njoki, P. N.

2019	“A New Strategy for Synthesis of Multimetallic Nanoparticles for Applications in Fuel Cells” (Invited Talk), Virginia Energy Storage and Conversion Workshop, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, June 24. Njoki, P. N.
2019	“Transformation of Silver Nanoparticles in Anions” 97th Annual Meeting of Virginia Academy of Science, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, May 22–23. Njoki, P. N.
2018	“Engaging High School Students in Research at Hampton University” 96th Annual Meeting of Virginia Academy of Science, Longwood University, Farmville, VA, May 23–24. Njoki, P. N.
2018	“Chemistry and Nanoscience Research at Hampton University” (Invited Talk), Thomas Nelson Community College, Natural Science and Engineering Student Association Hampton, VA, April 2. Njoki, P. N.
2017	“Size controlled synthesis of Aqueous Silver Nanoparticles via Microwave Irradiation” 44th Annual Conference of National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE). Minneapolis, MN, October 30 – November 3. (*Student received NOBCChE Advancing Science Conference Grant). Roots, M.* and Njoki P. N.
2017	“Nanoscience research for High School Students at Hampton University” 44th NOBCChE Meeting. Minneapolis, MN, October 30 – November 3. Njoki, P. N.
2017	“Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis of Plasmonic Nanomaterials” 254th American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, Washington, DC, August 20 – 24. Njoki, P. N.
2017	“Nanotechnology research for undergraduate students at Hampton University” 95th Annual Meeting of Virginia Academy of Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, May 17–19. Njoki, P. N. and Roots, M.
2017	“Size Controlled Synthesis of Aqueous Silver Nanoparticles via Microwave Irradiation” Hampton University School of Science 22nd Annual Research Symposium, Hampton, VA, April 10. Roots, M.* and Njoki, P. N.
2017	“Microwave-Assisted Synthesis and Characterization of Nanomaterials” 253rd ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, April 2–6. Njoki, P. N., Nwokogu, P., Williams, T. and Yehdego, R.
2017	“Size Controlled Synthesis of Aqueous Silver Nanoparticles via Microwave Irradiation” Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in STEM. Washington, DC, March 2–4. (*Student received ERN Travel Award). Roots, M.* and Njoki, P. N.
2017	“Synthesis and Characterization of Plasmonic Nanomaterials” (Invited Talk) Physics Colloquium, Hampton University, VA, February 16. Njoki, P. N.
2016	“Size-Controlled Synthesis and Characterization of Aqueous Silver Nanoparticles.” Quadrennial Physics Congress (PhysCon), San Francisco, CA, November 5, 2016. (*Student received PhysCon MSI/HBCU Travel Award). Roots, M.* and Njoki, P. N.
2016	“Microwave-Assisted Synthesis, Characterization, Applications and Stability of Nanomaterials” Partnership for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) Research Retreat, Hampton University, Hampton, VA, September 16–17. Njoki, P. N., Nwokogu, P., Werling, R., Williams, T. and Yehdego, R.
2016	Microwave-Assisted Synthesis and Characterization of Metallic Nanomaterials. 94th Annual Meeting of Virginia Academy of Science, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA, May 18 – 20. Njoki, P. N.
2016	“Microwave Synthesis of Metallic Nanoparticles for Forensic Analysis” Hampton University School of Science 21th Annual Research Symposium, Hampton, VA, March 18. Njoki, P. N.
2015	“Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles” NanoHU Pioneers – Poster Presentations, Hampton, VA, July 23, 2015. Nwokogu, P. and Njoki, P. N.
2015	“Synthesis of Size Controlled Gold Nanoparticles” NanoHU Pioneers – Poster Presentations, Hampton, VA, July 23, 2015. Werling, R. and Njoki, P. N.
2015	“Microwave Synthesis of Gold-based Nanoparticles for Bioanalytical and Catalytic Applications” at Hampton University School of Science 20th Annual Research Symposium, Hampton, VA, April 9 – 10. Njoki, P. N.
2015	“Synthesis and Characterization of Nanomaterials Made From Various Transition Metals” (Invited Talk) NanoHU Seminar Series, Hampton, VA, March 25, 2015. Njoki, P. N.

Workshops Attended (Selected)

• The 2021 Empowerment Educator Online Conference by Cengage (Virtual), March 23 – 24, 2021.
• Introduction to Distance Education for Academics by Strategic Education, Inc. (Virtual), July 13 – August 5, 2020.
• Experiment Centric Pedagogy and Home-based Hands on Learning in STEM – Morgan State University (Virtual), June 3 – 4, 2020.
• HBCU/MSI Research Summit, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) – Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS), October 14-18, 2018.
• DOD Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD (R&E)) Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI) Proposal/Application Writing Workshop, June 18, 2018.
• NanoHU Grant writing Workshop “The Graduate Research Fellowship Program” – Dr. Earnestine Psalmonds Easter, NSF Program Director, Division of Graduate Education, Hampton University, VA. October, 19, 2017.
• Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS). Voices, Diverse Science: A Future of Excellence in STEM Research. November 10-13, 2016.
• Forensic Sciences and Chemistry Career Talk Camp Launch. College of William and Mary, July 23, 2017.
• Agilent’s Innovations in Molecular Spectroscopy Symposium – Finding the Perfect Tool for the Task. Hampton, VA. June 15, 2017.
• Forensic Science Chemistry Collaborations, Workshops & Communities of Scholars (cCWCS), Williams College Williamstown, MA June 21 – 26, 2015.
• Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) Network: NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program Proposal Workshop, Baltimore, MD March 6 – 7, 2015.