(614) 292-3760; rathman.1@osu.edu

B.S., Chemistry, Montana State University, 1979

M.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, 1985
Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, 1987

OSU Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching, 1996

Our current research efforts are focused on chemical reactions in systems containing self-assembled colloidal structures. We use these systems to selectively control the mesoscopic features of porous particles and films synthesized in their presence, and as alternate solvents for processes that conventionally rely on organic solvents. The role of surfactants at various biological interfaces is another active area of interest in our group. 

The use of self-assembled structures as "templates" has quickly become one of the most active areas of research in both materials and colloid areas in recent years. Researchers have shown that surfactant aggregates (e.g., micelles, liquid-crystalline mesophases) can be used as reaction templates for the synthesis of solids with uniform pore geometries and pore diameters in the 2-100 nm range. These materials are expected to find broad application in catalytic and separation processes, where their selectivity for large molecules can be exploited. We are investigating how rheology (flow during reaction) and chemical composition influence the properties of silicate particles and films. We are able to selectively synthesize porous materials with hexagonal, tetragonal, lamellar, and cubic pore structures, some with surface areas greater than 1000 m2/g. 

Micellar catalysis has long been known to provide an effective method of performing reactions in aqueous media when lipophilic (water-insoluble) reactants are involved. Several challenging problems have made the design of commercial processes based on micellar catalysis quite difficult, including attainment of sufficiently high reactant loading. The goal of our research is to develop processes in which aqueous surfactant solutions are used as replacements for organic solvents. Application of this technology to pharmaceutical, biochemical, petroleum, and polymer industries is important because of increasing emphasis on reducing the environmental impact of chemical manufacture. 

Surfactants play a key role in many biological systems. In cell cultures, surfactants may affect the transport of molecules through the cell membrane, cause local perturbations in the membrane structure (in some cases leading to cell lysis or fusion), and promote cell adhesion to gas bubbles or solid surfaces. We are collaborating with Dr. Jeff Chalmers in several projects to gain a better understanding of interfacial phenomena in biological systems.