Deposit

Faculty

Luis Smith

CV

ORCID ID

Google Scholar

Research Gate

Scholarly interests

Solid-State NMR; Powder Diffraction; Dion-Jacobson Perovskites; Polymer electrolyte ion dynamics

Luis Smith

Professor, Chemistry
Department Chair, Chemistry

Dr. Luis J. Smith is a Professor of Chemistry in the Gustaf H. Carlson School of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Clark University, whose teaching spans the undergraduate and graduate curriculum, from introductory chemistry to advanced courses in inorganic materials, analytical chemistry, and spectroscopic methods. He has mentored more than 10 graduate students (including multiple Ph.D. and M.S. recipients) and over 30 undergraduate research students, in addition to advising hundreds of undergraduates academically throughout his career. His scholarly work includes 27 peer-reviewed publications and multiple U.S. patents related to functional materials and energy-relevant systems, along with numerous conference presentations and collaborative contributions across materials chemistry and spectroscopy. In recognition of his teaching excellence, he was awarded the Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher of the Year in 2026. His service includes extensive leadership at the departmental and university levels, including multiple terms as Department Chair and service as Acting Dean of Graduate Studies and Associate Provost.

His research focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of functional materials, particularly systems in which composition and structure can be controlled at the nanoscale to produce emergent properties. Areas of emphasis include layered and high–surface area metal oxides, exfoliated materials, and inorganic–organic nanocomposites. Understanding these complex materials requires insight into both structure and dynamics across multiple length and time scales. To achieve this, his work integrates solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy with advanced neutron and X-ray scattering methods, enabling the study of local chemical environments through long-range order, and dynamic processes spanning picoseconds to seconds. Within this framework, his research program examines how controlled variations in composition, structure, and morphology give rise to optical, electronic, and magnetic functionality in modern materials systems.

The program is organized around several complementary research areas:

  1. Layered oxide materials (Dion–Jacobson niobates): A central emphasis is the modification of layered niobate systems to expand their compositional diversity and functional properties. By incorporating late transition metals and heavy main group elements into these structures, the work aims to achieve visible-light absorption, paramagnetism, and tunable electronic behavior while preserving structural integrity. These studies integrate synthetic development with solid-state NMR and diffraction methods to understand how local chemical environments control bulk properties.

  2. NMR studies of complex and collaborative systems: Leveraging expertise in solid-state NMR, this research extends to a range of materials systems through interdisciplinary collaborations, including zeolites and biomaterials. In these contexts, NMR provides detailed insight into structural stability, chemical composition, and functional behavior under realistic conditions. Work on polymer electrolytes, including lithium-ion dynamics, complements this broader focus by demonstrating the applicability of NMR to highly heterogeneous systems.

  3. Morphology-controlled metal oxide materials: This work develops rapid, solution-based synthetic approaches to produce well-defined metal oxide micro- and nanostructures, particularly copper(I) oxide. These materials serve as versatile templates for generating more complex compositions while retaining controlled shapes and sizes, providing a scalable platform for designing materials relevant to catalysis, photocatalysis, and related applications.

A defining feature of the program is its strong emphasis on student training and mentorship. Projects are deliberately structured to engage both undergraduate and graduate researchers in meaningful ways, from synthetic design to spectroscopic analysis and data interpretation. This approach fosters technical proficiency, independence, and critical thinking, while creating a collaborative research environment in which students contribute directly to advancing fundamental questions in materials chemistry.

Degrees

  • Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1999
  • M.A. in Chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1995
  • B.S. in Chemistry, University of Chicago, 1993

Affiliated Department

Chemistry

Scholarly and creative works

  • Presentations

    Incorporation of cobalt to enhance the visible light response in Dion-Jacobson layered niobate perovskites

    ACS Northeast Regional Discussion
    Nov
    2025
    Sponsored by American Chemical Society
    Greeshma Krishnan, Luis Smith
  • Presentations

    Iron hydroxide replacement in Cu2O structures

    ACS Northeast Regional Discussion
    Nov
    2025
    Sponsored by American Chemical Society
    Vinicius Bittencourt, Luis Smith
  • Presentations

    93Nb NMR Studies of Late Transition Metal Containing Dion-Jacobson Layered Niobates

    63rd Rocky Mountain Conference on Magnetic Resonance
    Copper Mountain, CO
    August
    2024
    Luis J. Smith, Greeshma Krishnan, Wendy Nason
  • Presentations

    Synthesis of mixed transition metal Dion-Jacobson perovskites containing nickel and niobium

    ACS Fall 2023
    San Francisco, CA
    August
    2023
    Sponsored by American Chemical Society
    Luis J. Smith, Wendy Nason
  • Presentations

    Synthesis of mixed transition metal Dion-Jacobson perovskites containing nickel and niobium

    ACS National Meeting Fall 2023
    August
    2023
    Sponsored by American Chemical Society
    Luis Smith, Wendy Nason
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Structural properties of optically clear bacterial cellulose produced by Komagataeibacter hansenii using arabitol

    Biomater. Adv.
    Spring
    2023
    Vol. 148
    Elizabeth M van Zyl, Mitchell A. Kennedy, Wendy Nason, Sawyer J. Fenlon, Eric M. Young, Luis J. Smith, Surita R. Bhatia, Jeannine M. Coburn
  • Presentations

    PIETA Based Pathway Selection of Non-frequency Dispersed Echoes in WURST-CPMG

    61st Rocky Mountain Conference on Magnetic Resonance
    Copper Mountain, CO
    July
    2022
    Sponsored by Colorado Section – American Chemical Society & Society for Applied Spectroscopy
    Luis J. Smith
  • Presentations

    Synthesis of nickel-doped Dion-Jacobson perovskites through multistep molten salt, salt flux, and ion exchange methods

    ACS Spring 2021/ACS National Meeting
    Virtual
    April
    2021
    Sponsored by American Chemical Society
    Luis J. Smith, Colin Farrington
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Strategies for Extending Zeolite Stability in Supercritical Water Using Thermally Stable Coatings

    ACS Catalysis
    2020
    Yuanpu Want, Patricia Guerra, Azadah Zaker, Geoffrey Tompsett, Luis J. Smith, Xinlei Huang, Jesse Bond, Michael T Timko
  • Papers Published – Conference Proceedings

    Li dynamics in single-ion polymer blend electrolytes via R1-R2 correlation NMR spectroscopy
    Li dynamics in single-ion polymer blend electrolytes via R1-R2 correlation NMR spectroscopy

    2020
    2020
    Wendy Nason, Focil, Sergio Granados, Luis Smith
  • Presentations

    Size and Morphology Control of Copper (I) Oxide Hexapod Nanostructures

    New England Energy Research Forum
    Worcester, MA
    June
    2019
    Sponsored by WPI Energy Research Group
    Yana Zubarev, Luis J. Smith
  • Presentations

    Effects of Composition and Processing on Bismuth-containing Layered Perovskites

    New England Energy Research Forum
    Worcester, MA
    June
    2019
    Wendy Nason, Luis J. Smith
  • Presentations

    Sulfonated hybrid mesoporous silica-polymer particles as solid-acid catalysts for cellulose hydrolysis and as solid electrolytes for lithium ion batteries.

    257th ACS National Meeting & Exposition
    Orlando, FL
    March
    2019
    Sponsored by American Chemical Society
    Yuxin Yang, Wendy Nason, Luis Smith, Sergio Granados-Focil
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    ZSM-5 decrystallization and dealumination in hot liquid water.

    Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.
    2019///
    2019
    Vol. 21
    Issue #32
    Alex R. Maag, Geoffrey A. Tompsett, Jason Tam, Cheen Aik Ang, Gisele Azimi, Alexander D. Carl, Xinlei Huang, Luis J. Smith, Ronald L. Grimm, Jesse Q. Bond, Michael T. Timko
  • Presentations

    Structure and band gap analysis for new Dion-Jacobson perovskite RbBiKNb3O10.

    256th ACS National Meeting
    August
    2018
    Sponsored by American Chemical Society
    Wendy Nason, Luis. Smith
  • Presentations

    Rapid synthetic strategy for Cu2O hexapod synthesis.

    256th Americal Chemical Society National Meeting
    August
    2018
    Sponsored by American Chemical Society
    Yana Zubarev, Luis. Smith
  • Presentations

    Visible absorbance variation in Dion-Jacobson perovskites upon acid exchange.

    256th Americal Chemical Society National Meeting
    August
    2018
    Sponsored by American Chemical Society
    Raistlin Bittues, Luis. Smith
  • Presentations

    93Nb NMR Structural Analysis of Acid-Exchanged Layered Bismuth Niobate Perovskites with Varying Band Gaps

    59th Rocky Mountain Conference on Magnetic Resonance
    Snowbird, UT
    July
    2018
    Sponsored by Colorado Section – American Chemical Society & the Society for Applied Spectroscopy
    Luis J. Smith
  • Presentations

    Ion dynamics in solid polymer blend electrolytes via inversion of the laplace transform.

    255th ACS National Meeting
    March
    2018
    Sponsored by American Chemical Society
    Luis Smith, Focil, Sergio. Granados
  • Papers Published – Conference Proceedings

    Diblock and triblock lithium conducting polymers from strongly incompatible PEGMA and PAAMPSA segments, effect of interdomain surface area on morphology and ionic transport.
    Diblock and triblock lithium conducting polymers from strongly incompatible PEGMA and PAAMPSA segments, effect of interdomain surface area on morphology and ionic transport.

    2015///
    2015
    Xiaorui Chen, Derek Luong, Luis Smith, Focil, Sergio. Granados
  • Papers Published – Conference Proceedings

    Exfoliation of layered perovskites through microwave assisted grafting with n-alcohols.
    Exfoliation of layered perovskites through microwave assisted grafting with n-alcohols.

    2015///
    2015
    Joshua Boykin, Luis. Smith
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Rapid Microwave-Assisted Grafting of Layered Perovskites with n-Alcohols.

    Inorg. Chem.
    2015///
    2015
    Vol. 54
    Issue #9
    Joshua R. Boykin, Luis J. Smith
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Poly(ethylenimine)-Based Polymer Blends as Single-Ion Lithium Conductors.

    Macromolecules (Washington, DC, U. S.)
    2014///
    2014
    Vol. 47
    Issue #10
    Robert P. Doyle, Xiaorui Chen, Max Macrae, Abhijit Srungavarapu, Luis J. Smith, Manesh Gopinadhan, Chinedum O. Osuji, Sergio. Granados-Focil
  • Other Scholarly or Creative Work

    Active membrane having uniform physico-chemically functionalized ion channels.

    Rex Gerald, Katarina J. Ruscic, Devin N. Sears, Luis J. Smith, Robert J. Klingler, Jerome W. Rathke
  • Other Scholarly or Creative Work

    Unique battery with a multi-functional, physicochemically active membrane separator/electrolyte-electrode monolith and a method of making the same.

    Rex Gerald, Katarina J. Ruscic, Devin N. Sears, Luis J. Smith, Robert J. Klingler, Jerome W. Rathke
  • Other Scholarly or Creative Work

    Unique battery with an active membrane separator having uniform physicochemically functionalized ion channels and a method making the same.

    Rex Gerald, Katarina J. Ruscic, Devin N. Sears, Luis J. Smith, Robert J. Klingler, Jerome W. Rathke
  • Papers Published – Conference Proceedings

    Conductivity and component diffusion study of a solid lithium polymer electrolyte based on the polymer blend of PEG and PMMA doped with LiTFSI.
    Conductivity and component diffusion study of a solid lithium polymer electrolyte based on the polymer blend of PEG and PMMA doped with LiTFSI.

    2010///
    2010
    Yan Meng, Luis J. Smith
  • Papers Published – Conference Proceedings

    93Nb solid state NMR study of Dion-Jacobson type layered niobates XLaNb2O7 (X=Cs, Rb, K, H).
    93Nb solid state NMR study of Dion-Jacobson type layered niobates XLaNb2O7 (X=Cs, Rb, K, H).

    2010///
    2010
    Ting Liu, Hui Yang, Luis J. Smith
  • Papers Published – Conference Proceedings

    Design of triazole bearing sol-gel membranes as water free proton exchange membranes for hydrogen fuel cells, effect of crosslink density, and heterocycle content on membrane performance.
    Design of triazole bearing sol-gel membranes as water free proton exchange membranes for hydrogen fuel cells, effect of crosslink density, and heterocycle content on membrane performance.

    2010///
    2010
    Sergio Granados-Focil, Justin R. Conway, Yan Meng, Luis. Smith
  • Papers Published – Conference Proceedings

    Structural characterization of layered perovskite niobates using projector augmented wave (PAW) method of density functional theory (DFT).
    Structural characterization of layered perovskite niobates using projector augmented wave (PAW) method of density functional theory (DFT).

    2010///
    2010
    Jhashanath Adhikari, Luis J. Smith
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    An Investigation of Distortions of the Dion-Jacobson Phase RbSr2Nb3O10 and Its Acid-Exchanged Form with 93Nb Solid State NMR and DFT Calculations.

    J. Phys. Chem. C
    2009///
    2009
    Vol. 113
    Issue #40
    Xuefeng Wang, Jhashanath Adhikari, Luis J. Smith
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Incomplete double frequency sweeps to select small quadrupolar coupling static powder patterns.

    Solid State Nucl. Magn. Reson.
    2009///
    2009
    Vol. 36
    Issue #2
    Xuefeng Wang, Luis J. Smith
  • Papers Published – Conference Proceedings

    Structural investigation of a layered Dion-Jacobson perovskite, RbSr2Nb3O10 and its acidic form, HSr2Nb3O10 using density functional theory.
    Structural investigation of a layered Dion-Jacobson perovskite, RbSr2Nb3O10 and its acidic form, HSr2Nb3O10 using density functional theory.

    2009///
    2009
    Jhashanath Adhikari, Luis J. Smith
  • Papers Published – Conference Proceedings

    NMR Studies of Proton Exchange Induced Structural Changes In Layered and Mesoporous Niobates.
    NMR Studies of Proton Exchange Induced Structural Changes In Layered and Mesoporous Niobates.

    2008///
    2008
    Luis J. Smith, Xuefeng. Wang
  • Papers Published – Conference Proceedings

    Component Diffusion In LiTFSI Doped Polymer Blend of PEGDME and PMMA Measured by Multinuclear PFG NMR.
    Component Diffusion In LiTFSI Doped Polymer Blend of PEGDME and PMMA Measured by Multinuclear PFG NMR.

    2008///
    2008
    Yan Meng, Luis J. Smith
  • Papers Published – Conference Proceedings

    Exploring the Local Structure of Layered Niobate Materials by 93Nb Solid State NMR.
    Exploring the Local Structure of Layered Niobate Materials by 93Nb Solid State NMR.

    2008///
    2008
    Xuefeng Wang, Luis J. Smith
  • Papers Published – Conference Proceedings

    Structural Investigation of KCa2Nb3O10 and Its Acidic Form HCa2Nb3O10- Using Density Functional Theory for Calculations of NMR Parameters.
    Structural Investigation of KCa2Nb3O10 and Its Acidic Form HCa2Nb3O10- Using Density Functional Theory for Calculations of NMR Parameters.

    2008///
    2008
    Jhashanath Adhikari, Luis J. Smith
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Solid-state NMR strategies for characterizing high surface area niobates.

    J. Mol. Catal. A: Chem.
    2008///
    2008
    Vol. 281
    Issue #1-2
    Xuefeng Wang, Luis J. Smith
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    93Nb solid state NMR of high surface area niobium oxides.

    Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc.
    2007///
    2007
    Vol. 984E
    Issue #Magnetic Resonance in Material Science
    Luis J. Smith, Xuefeng. Wang
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    A unified approach to the dynamics of a polymer melt.

    J. Phys.: Condens. Matter
    2006///
    2006
    Vol. 18
    Issue #36
    Jean-Marc Zanotti, Luis J. Smith, David L. Price, Marie-Louise. Saboungi
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Site-selective QPASS for the isolation of large quadrupolar coupling environments.

    J. Magn. Reson.
    2006///
    2006
    Vol. 179
    Issue #1
    Luis J. Smith, Christopher. Seith
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Analysis of porosity in porous silicon using hyperpolarized 129Xe two-dimensional exchange experiments.

    Solid State Nucl. Magn. Reson.
    2006///
    2006
    Vol. 29
    Issue #1-3
    Kevin Knagge, Jay R. Smith, Luis J. Smith, Jillian Buriak, Daniel. Raftery
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Inelastic neutron scattering as a probe of dynamics under confinement. The case of a PEO polymer melt.

    Ann. Chim. (Cachan, Fr.)
    2005///
    2005
    Vol. 30
    Issue #4
    Jean-Marc Zanotti, Luis J. Smith, David L. Price, Marie-Louise. Saboungi
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Substrate and Field Dependence of the SPINOE Transfer to Surface 13C from Hyperpolarized 129Xe.

    J. Phys. Chem. B
    2005///
    2005
    Vol. 109
    Issue #10
    Kevin Knagge, Luis J. Smith, Daniel. Raftery
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Dynamics of Water Molecules in Glucose Solutions.

    J. Phys. Chem. B
    2004///
    2004
    Vol. 108
    Issue #16
    Cesar Talon, Luis J. Smith, John W. Brady, Bertha A. Lewis, John Copley, David L. Price, Marie-Louise. Saboungi
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Molecular dynamics of glucose in solution: A quasielastic neutron scattering study.

    J. Chem. Phys.
    2004///
    2004
    Vol. 120
    Issue #8
    Luis J. Smith, David L. Price, Zema Chowdhuri, John W. Brady, Marie-Louise. Saboungi
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Frozen-Solution Conformational Analysis by REDOR Spectroscopy.

    J. Am. Chem. Soc.
    2003///
    2003
    Vol. 125
    Issue #49
    Luis J. Smith, Fabien P. Boulineau, Daniel Raftery, Alexander. Wei
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Characterization of polymer clay nanocomposite electrolyte motions via combined NMR and neutron scattering studies.

    Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc.
    2003///
    2003
    Vol. 756
    Issue #Solid State Ionics–2002
    Luis J. Smith, Jean-Marc Zanotti, Giselle Sandi, Kathleen A. Carrado, Patrice Porion, Alfred Delville, David L. Price, Marie-Louise. Saboungi
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Characterization of polymer nanocomposites used in rechargeable systems.

    Prepr. Symp. – Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem.
    2003///
    2003
    Vol. 48
    Issue #1
    Giselle Sandi, Riza Kizilel, Humberto Joachin, Kathleen A. Carado, Soenke Seifert, Luis Smith, Rex E. Gerlad
  • Papers Published – Conference Proceedings

    Characterization of polymer nanocomposites used in rechargeable systems.
    Characterization of polymer nanocomposites used in rechargeable systems.

    2003///
    2003
    Giselle Sandi, Riza Kizilel, Humberto Joachin, Kathleen A. Carrado, Sonke Seifert, Luis J. Smith, Rex E. Gerald
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Investigating hyperpolarized 129Xe and CPMAS for spin polarization transfer to surface nuclei: a model study.

    J. Magn. Reson.
    2002///
    2002
    Vol. 159
    Issue #2
    Jay Smith, Kevin Knagge, Luis J. Smith, Ernesto MacNamara, Daniel. Raftery
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Hyperpolarized xenon-mediated cross-polarization to material surfaces observed at room temperature and above.

    J. Am. Chem. Soc.
    2001///
    2001
    Vol. 123
    Issue #12
    Jay Smith, Luis J. Smith, Kevin Knagge, Ernesto MacNamara, Daniel. Raftery
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Variable Temperature Study of the Cross-Relaxation Dynamics in the Hyperpolarized Xenon-Induced Enhancement of Surface Nuclei.

    J. Phys. Chem. B
    2001///
    2001
    Vol. 105
    Issue #7
    Luis J. Smith, Jay Smith, Ernesto MacNamara, Kevin Knagge, Daniel. Raftery
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Potassium Cation Effects on Site Preferences in the Mixed Cation Zeolite Li,Na-Chabazite.

    Chem. Mater.
    2001///
    2001
    Vol. 13
    Issue #2
    Luis J. Smith, Hellmut Eckert, Anthony K. Cheetham
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Site Preferences in the Mixed Cation Zeolite, Li,Na-Chabazite: A Combined Solid-State NMR and Neutron Diffraction Study.

    J. Am. Chem. Soc.
    2000///
    2000
    Vol. 122
    Issue #8
    Luis J. Smith, Hellmut Eckert, Anthony K. Cheetham
  • Other Scholarly or Creative Work

    Cation locations and dislocations in zeolites.

    1999///
    Luis James. Smith
  • Papers Published – Conference Proceedings

    Site preferences in a mixed alkali cation zeolite, Chabazite, studied through MQMAS NMR and neutron diffraction.
    Site preferences in a mixed alkali cation zeolite, Chabazite, studied through MQMAS NMR and neutron diffraction.

    1999///
    1999
    Luis J. Smith, Hellmut Eckert, Anthony K. Cheetham
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    A neutron diffraction and infrared spectroscopy study of the acid form of the aluminosilicate zeolite, chabazite (H-SSZ-13).

    Catal. Lett.
    1998///
    1998
    Vol. 49
    Issue #3,4
    Luis J. Smith, Anne Davidson, Anthony K. Cheetham
  • Article in Refereed Journal

    Some factors influencing metal-insulator transitions.

    Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem.
    1996///
    1996
    Vol. 622
    Issue #10
    Jeremy K. Burdett, Stephen A. Gramsch, Luis. Smith

Awards and grants

  • An integrated study of ion dynamics and population distributions to understand the molecular underpinnings of charge transport through self-assembled solid polymer electrolytes

    National Science Foundation

    clock icon Jul. 1, 2018 – Jun. 30, 2022

Invest in the next generation of Clarkies.

Give to Clark
Jonas Clark Hall illustration