Dr. Ziyad A. Taha
Post Doctoral Researcher 2004-2005

B.Sc. Chemistry,  1994
M.Sc. Physical Chemistry, 1996  Yarmouk University - Irbid, Jordan

Ph.D. Inorganic/Physical Chemistry 2004
University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON Canada
ESB 3127
University of California - Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5080
zahat@engineering.ucsb.edu

(805) 893-7403 (office)
(805) 893-4363 (lab)



Research Project
The goal of my research is to extend the knowledge about chemistry of silica-supported alkyl-gallium complexes (e.g. GaMe3).  While volatile gallium compounds are useful for the deposition of galium oxide  for applications in the semiconductor industry, they can also provide insight (by analogy) into the nature of silica-supported aluminum compounds, which are important activators/co-catalysts for olefin polymerization.  We elucidate the structure of supported complexes using stoichiometric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, solid state NMR spectroscopy, X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS).


Posters Presented / Conferences Attended
Taha, Z.; Scott, S. L. Alper, H.  "Kinetics of Olefin Polymerization by Silica-Supported Vanadium Complexes"  Third CCRI Annual Workshop,  Jan. 16, 2004, University of Ottawa, ON Canada
The 39th IUPAC Congres and the 86th Conferences of the Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC), August 10-15th, 2004. University of Ottawa, ON Canada
Deguns, E. W.; Taha, Z.; Scott, S. L.; Meitzner, G. D. "Characterization of Silica-Supported Vanadium Complexes Using X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy" Inorganic Discussion Weekend, October 25-27th, 2002.  McGill University/Université de Montréal: Montréal, PQ, Canada.

Taha, Z. Scott, S. L. "A Chemical Method for Measuring the Reactive Hydroxyl Content of Partially Dehydroxylated Fumed and Precipitated Silicas" 85th Conference of the Canadian Society - Conference and Exhibition, June 1-5, 2002, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
Taha, Z.; Scott, S. L. "A Comparative Study of the Dehydroxylation Behaviours of Fumed and Precipitated Silicas" Surface Canada Conference, May 12-15th, 2002 University of Ottawa, ON Canada

Publications
Taha, Z.; Deguns, E. W.; Chattopadhyay, S. K.; Scott, S. L.  "On the Nature of Silica-supported Trimethylgallium", in preparation
Taha, Z.; Scott, S. L. "Kinetics of Olefin Polymerization by Silica-Supported Vanadium Complexes", in preparation
Taha, Z.; Scott, S. L. "A Comparative Study of the Dehydroxylation Behaviours of Fumed and Precipitated Silicas", in preparation
Deguns, E. W.; Taha, Z.; Meitzner, G. D.; Scott, S. L. "Structure of Silica-Supported TiCl4: Effect of Pretreatment Conditions on Site Nuclearity", in preparation
Deguns, E. W.; Taha, Z.; Meitzner, G. D.; Scott, S. L. "An X-ray Absorption Study of Two VOCl3-modified Silicas: Evidence for Chloride-Silica Interactions" J. Phys. Chem. B  2005, 109, 5055-5011.

Taha, Z. "Silica Supported Vanadium Complexes: Structure, Characterization and Reactivity, Especially Towards Olefins", Ph.D. Thesis, University of Ottawa, 2004.
Marji, D.; Taha, Z. "Conductance and Thermodynamic Study of the Interaction of Mixed Oxygen:Donor Macrocycles with Ag(I), Ni(II) and Fe(III) in Acetonitrile Solutions", J. Incl. Phenom. 2000, 37, 331-339.
Marji, D.; Abbas, K.; Saymeh, R.; Taha, Z. "Conductance Study and Thermodynamics of Some Substituted Ammonium Salts with Crown Ethers in Aqueous Solution", J. Incl. Phenom. 1999, 34, 49-56.

Marji, D.; Taha, Z. "Conductance and Thermodynamic Study of Thallium and Silver Ion Complexes with Crown Ethers in Different Binary Acetonitrile/Water Solvent Mixtures", J. Incl. Phenom. 1998, 30, 309-320.
Taha, Z. "Conductance and Thermodynamic Study of Thallium and Silver Ion Complexse with Crown Ethers in Defferent Solvents", M.Sc. Thesis, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan,1996.