Staff profile

Dr Paul J Pigram

Head of Department of Physics, Associate Professor

Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering

School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences
Department of Physics
Centre for Materials and Surface Science

Physical Sciences 1 Building, Room 403, Melbourne (Bundoora)

 

Qualifications

Ph.D. (Physics)

Membership of professional associations

MAIP, MRACI

Area of study

Nanotechnology
Physics

Brief profile

  •  Paul Pigram is a Reader and Associate Professor in Physics at La Trobe University. His research interests are directed to understanding interactions at surfaces, the creation of functional molecular structures including polymeric sensors, tailored surface chemistries and nanoparticles for drug delivery, and molecular characterisation of these surfaces.  
  • Paul completed a Ph.D. in applied physics (1991) at the University of Sydney. His doctoral thesis involved the investigation of a thermal switching mechanism for tubular solar thermal collectors. After a postdoctoral appointment at the University of New South Wales in the field of surface science, he took up a faculty position in physics at La Trobe University in 1995. He has published more than 80 peer reviewed journal articles and has been an investigator on grants and consortium proposals totalling more than $90 Million. A highlight has been securing external funding for eight state-of-the-art surface analytical instruments since 1998.  
  • Paul is the Director of the Centre for Materials and Surface Science (CMSS), a centre hosting a world class surface analytical capability including XPS, ToF-SIMS, UPS, AFM (ambient), UHV SPM, contact angle analysis and a variety of physical characterisation resources. Paul’s group, through CMSS, has worked with around 25 universities, 5 government laboratories and 40 companies in Australia and abroad over the past ten years.  
  • Paul is the Head of the Department of Physics at La Trobe University. He is a member of the Collaboration Committee of the multi-institutional Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, and a member of the Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing consortium board. Paul is the La Trobe Nanotechnology Program Co-ordinator, responsible for a group of three specialist nanotechnology degrees (two undergraduate double degrees and a coursework masters). These degrees currently enrol a total of 50 students. A highlight of the program is the Issues in Nanotechnology seminar series that has hosted around 80 leading speakers since inception.  
  • Paul has been Associate Dean (Research) for the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering, and has played a lead role within La Trobe in the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA), national research assessment exercise. Paul lead the La Trobe Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences cluster in the 2010 and 2012 ERA rounds. In 2010, the Condensed Matter Physics sub-group of this cluster won the highest possible assessment (5), equating to performance “well above world standard”; one of only two such groups in Australia.

Research interests

Materials and surface science

- Please contact me to discuss a topic.

Teaching units

  • Issues in Nanotechnology seminar series
  • PHY1SCA Principles of Physics A
  • PHY2IMG Imaging and Materials Characterisation
  • PHY4SSC Surface Science 

Consulting

Services for industry available in the surface analysis and advanced materials characterisation areas. Further information is available at: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/surface/

Recent publications

  1. F. Awaja, M.J. Gilbert, G.L. Kelly, B.L. Fox, R. Brynolf and P.J. Pigram, “Surface properties of polypropylene following a novel industrial surface treatment process” Surface and Interface Analysis, 40(11), 1454-1462 (2008). DOI: 10.1002/sia.2924
  2. W. Prissanaroon-Ouajai, P.J. Pigram, R. Jones and A. Sirivat, “A novel pH sensor based on hydroquinone monosulfonate-doped conducting polypyrrole” Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 135(1), 366-374 (2008) DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2008.09.007
  3. D. Lau, P. Kappen, M. Strohschneider, N. Brack and P.J. Pigram, “Characterisation of green copper phase pigments in Egyptian artefacts with X-ray absorption spectroscopy and principal components analysis” Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy, 63(11), 1283-1289 (2008). DOI: 10.1016/j.sab.2008.09.013
  4. C.R. Schefe, P. Kappen, L. Zuin, P.J. Pigram, and C. Christensen, “Addition of carboxylic acids modifies phosphate sorption on soil and boehmite surfaces: a solution chemistry and XANES spectroscopy study” Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 330(1), 51-59 (2009). DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2008.10.044
  5. F. Awaja and P.J. Pigram, “Surface molecular characterisation of different epoxy resin composites subjected to UV accelerated degradation using XPS and ToF-SIMS” Polymer Degradation and Stability, 94(4), 651-658 (2009). DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2009.01.001
  6. P. Kappen, B.W. Halstead, A.N. Rider, P.J. Pigram and N. Brack, “Multi-walled carbon nanotubes grown from chemical vapor: links between atomic near range order and growth parameters” Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 113(11), 4307-4314 (2009). DOI: 10.1021/jp8092868
  7. W. Prissanaroon-Ouajai, P.J. Pigram, R. Jones and A. Sirivat, “A sensitive and highly stable polypyrrole-based pH sensor with hydroquinone monosulfonate and oxalate co-doping”, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical 138(2), 504-511 (2009). DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2009.01.037
  8. F. Awaja, M.J. Gilbert, B.L. Fox, G.L. Kelly and P.J. Pigram, “Investigation of the postcure reaction and surface energy of epoxy resins using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and contact angle measurements” Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 113(5), 2755-2764 (2009). DOI:  10.1002/app.30135
  9. F. Awaja, G. van Riessen, B.L. Fox, G.L. Kelly and P.J. Pigram “Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry investigation of epoxy resin curing behaviour in real time” Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 113(5), 2765-2776 (2009). DOI:  10.1002/app.30136
  10. F. Awaja, M.J. Gilbert, G.L. Kelly, B.L. Fox and P.J. Pigram, “Adhesion of Polymers” – Review Article Progress in Polymer Science, 34(9), 948-968 (2009) DOI:  10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2009.04.007
  11. F. Awaja, J.B. Kim, S. Zhang, M.J. Gilbert, C.G. Kim and P.J. Pigram “Surface molecular degradation of 3D glass polymer composite under low earth orbit simulated space environment” Polymer Degradation and Stability, 95(6), 987-996 (2010). DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2010.03.013
  12. F. Awaja, M.J. Gilbert, G.L. Kelly, B.L. Fox, R. Brynolf and P.J. Pigram, “Exploring molecular changes at the surface of polypropylene after Accelerated Thermo-Molecular Adhesion treatments” ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 2(5), 1505-1513 (2010). DOI: 10.1021/am1001376
  13. D. Piper, G.J. Barbante, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram and C.F. Hogan Highly stable ECL active films formed by the electrografting of a diazotized ruthenium complex generated in situ from the amine Langmuir, 27(1), 474-480 (2011). DOI: 10.1021/la104117h
  14. C.R. Schefe, P. Kappen and P.J. Pigram, Carboxylic Acids Affect Sorption and Micro-Scale Distribution of Phosphorus in an Acidic Soil Soil Science Society of America Journal, 75(1), 35-44 (2011).
  15. A. Kondyurin, N.J. Nosworthy, M.M.M. Bilek, R. Jones and P.J. Pigram, “Surface attachment of horseradish peroxidase to nylon modified by plasma-immersion ion implantation” Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 120(5), 2891-2903 (2011). DOI: 10.1002/app.33355
  16. M.J. Gilbert, F. Awaja, G.L. Kelly, B.L. Fox, R. Brynolf and P.J. Pigram, “Tailoring the surface chemistry of carbon fiber and E-glass composites for improved adhesion”, Surface and Interface Analysis, 43(5), 856-864 (2011). DOI: 10.1002/sia.3645
  17. F. Awaja, J.B. Moon, M.J. Gilbert, S. Zhang, C.G. Kim, and P.J. Pigram Surface molecular degradation of selected high performance polymer composites under Low Earth Orbit Environmental Conditions Polymer Degradation and Stability, 96(7), 1301-1309 (2011). DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2011.04.001
  18. A.C. Monsant, P. Kappen, Y. Wang, P.J. Pigram, A.J.M. Baker and C. Tang, “In vivo speciation of zinc in Noccaea caerulescens in response to nitrogen form and zinc exposure”, Plant and Soil, 348(1-2), 167-183 (2011). DOI: 10.1007/s11104-011-0887-7
  19. P. Kappen, A.N. Rider, P.J. Pigram and N. Brack, “Long-term stability of metallic iron inside carbon nanotubes”, Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 115(43), 21083-21087 (2011). DOI: 10.1021/jp207939s

     

Older publications

  1. P.J. Pigram, R.N. Lamb, B.J. Wood and R.E. Collins, “Structure and Surface Composition of Solar Selective Graded Stainless Steel/Carbon Cermet Films”, Appl. Phys. A, 52, 145-150 (1991).
  2. F.M. Elms, R.N. Lamb, P.J. Pigram, M.G. Gardiner, B.J. Wood and C.L. Raston, “Adsorption of Trimethylamine Adduct of Aluminium Hydride on Silicon Oxide”, J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun., 1992(19), 1423-1425.
  3. D. J. O'Connor, H.J. Kang, P.J. Pigram, R.H. Roberts and S. He, “Surface Segregation of NiZr”, Appl. Surf. Sci., 70/71, 114-117, (1993).
  4. P.J. Pigram, R.N. Lamb, R.E. Collins and B.A. Pailthorpe, “Gas Adsorption Studies of Sputtered Amorphous Hydrogenated Carbon Films”, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A, 11(5), 2718-2724, (1993).
  5. K.J. Butz, F.M. Elms, C.L. Raston, R.N. Lamb and P.J. Pigram, “Adsorption of Gallane on Oxidised Silicon”, Inorg. Chem., 32(19), 3985-3986, (1993).
  6. Z. Zhang, P.J. Pigram, R.N. Lamb and J. Nowotny, “Surface Segregation in Barium Titanate”, Ceram. Trans, 44, 161-168 (1994).
  7. P.J. Pigram, R.N. Lamb, D.B. Hibbert and R.E. Collins, “Modelling of the Desorption Behaviour of Microporous Amorphous Hydrogenated Carbon Films”, Langmuir, 10(1), 142-147, (1994).
  8. C. Aquino-Binag, P.J. Pigram, R.N. Lamb and P.W. Alexander, “Surface Studies of Quinhydrone pH Sensors”, Anal. Chim. Acta, 291, 65-73, (1994).
  9. P.J. Pigram, P.Y. Timbrell, M.G. Sceats, R.N. Lamb and A.L. Cox “Fabrication of V Cross Section Optical Fibre to Silicon Interconnects”, Optical Eng., 33(8), 2594-2599, (1994).
  10. F.M. Elms, P.J. Pigram, R.N. Lamb, M.G. Gardiner, B.J. Wood and C.L. Raston, “Preparation and Characterisation of Trimethylamine Alane Thin Films on Oxidised Silicon”, Chem. Mater., 6(7), 1059-1066, (1994).
  11. C. Aquino-Binag, N. Kumar and P.J. Pigram, “An Improved Synthesis of 3-(2,5-dimethoxybenzyl)pyrrole”, Org. Prep. Proc. Int., 27(6), 700-703 (1995).
  12. B. Gong, P.J. Pigram, R.N. Lamb, “Characterisation of the Mineral Constituents of Coal Dust and Cleaved Coal Surfaces using XPS, TOFSIMS and LIMA”, Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 11(7), 782-789 (1996).
  13. Z. Zhang, J. Nowotny, P.J. Pigram, R.N. Lamb, S. Nakamura and K. Yamana, “An XPS Study of Segregation in Mullite/Zirconia Composites”, Surface and Interface Analysis, 24(9), 647-652, (1996).
  14. C. Aquino-Binag, N. Kumar, R.N. Lamb and P.J. Pigram, “Fabrication and Characterisation of a Hydroquinone-Functionalised Polypyrrole Thin Film pH Sensor”, Chem. Mater., 8(11), 2579-2585, (1996).
  15. B. Gong, P.J. Pigram, R.N. Lamb and C.R. Ward, "Surface characterisation of Mineral Matter in an Australian Bituminous Coal (Whybrow seam NSW) using XPS and LIMA" Fuel Proc. Technol., 50(1), 69-86 (1997).
  16. B. Gong, P.J. Pigram and R.N. Lamb, "Identification of inorganic nitrogen in an Australian bituminous coal using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOFSIMS)", Int. J. Coal Geol., 34, 53-68 (1997).
  17. E.T. Kang, K.G. Neoh, K.L. Tan, B.C. Senn, P.J. Pigram and J. Liesegang, "Surface modification and functionalisation of polytetrafluoroethylene films via graft copolymerisation", Polymer Adv. Technol. 8(11), (1997) 683-692.
  18. Z. Zhang, P.J. Pigram, J. Nowotny and R.N. Lamb, "Surface cation non-stoichiometry in undoped BaTiO3", J. Aust. Ceram. Soc. 34(1), 254-262 (1998).
  19. B. Gong, P.J. Pigram and R.N. Lamb, "Surface studies of low temperature oxidation of bituminous coal vitrain bands using XPS and SIMS", Fuel, 77(9/10), 1081-1087 (1998).
  20. B.C. Senn, P.J. Pigram and J. Liesegang, "Surface electrical resistivity and wettability study of silica", Surface and Interface Analysis, 27(9), 835-839 (1999)
  21. B. Gong, P.J. Pigram and R.N. Lamb, "Surface composition of silica particles embedded in an Australian bituminous coal", Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 14, 479-487 (1999).
  22. J. Liesegang, B.C. Senn, P.J. Pigram, E.T. Kang, K.L. Tan and K.G. Neoh, "Electrical conductivity study of surface-modified polymers", Surface and Interface Analysis, 28(1), 20-27 (1999).
  23. W. Shen, Y. Filonanko, Y. Truong, I.H. Parker, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram and J. Liesegang, “Contact angle measurement and surface energetics of sized and unsized paper” Colloids and Surfaces A, 173(1-3), 117-126 (2000).
  24. P.X. Feng, J. Riley, R. Leckey, P.J. Pigram, M. Hollering and L. Ley "Surface and bulk properties of GaAs (001) treated by Se layers" Surface Science 468(1-3), 109-121 (2000).
  25. W. Shen, N. Brack, H. Ly, I.H. Parker, P.J. Pigram and J. Liesegang “Mechanism of AKD migration studied on glass surfaces” Colloids and Surfaces A, 176(2-3), 129-137 (2001).
  26. P.X. Feng, R.C.G. Leckey, J.D. Riley, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram, M. Hollering and L. Ley "Photoemission studies of ZnSe epilayers grown on GaAs(111)B surface"J. Appl. Phys. 89(1), 710-717 (2001).
  27. P.X. Feng, F. Gard, J.D. Riley, P.J. Pigram, R. Leckey, T. Seyller and L. Ley “Epitaxial growth and the electronic structure of MgSe on ZnSe/GaAs(001)” J. Electron Spectros. Relat. Phenom., 114-116, 527-532 (2001).
  28. P.X. Feng, J.D. Riley, R.C.G. Leckey, P.J. Pigram, T. Sellyer and L. Ley "Surface, interface and bulk properties of GaAs (111)B treated by Se layers" J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys., 34(5), 678-682 (2001).
  29. W. Shen, I.H. Parker, N. Brack and P.J. Pigram “A simplified approach to understanding the mechanism of AKD sizing” Appita J., 54(4), 352-356 (2001).
  30. D. Simon, J. Liesegang, P.J. Pigram, N. Brack and J.L. Pura, “XPS and surface resistivity measurements of plasma-treated LDPE and ageing effects” Surface and Interface Analysis, 32, 148-153 (2001)
  31. W. Prissanaroon, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram, J. Liesegang and T. Cardwell, "A surface and electrochemical study of DBSA-doped polypyrrole films grown on stainless steel" Surface and Interface Analysis, 33(8), 653-662 (2002).
  32. D.P. Riley, D.J. O'Connor, P. Dastoor, N.Brack and P.J. Pigram, “Comparative analysis of Ti3SiC2 and associated compounds using X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy” J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 35(13), 1603-1611 (2002).
  33. K.P. Purushotham, L.P. Ward, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram, P. Evans, H. Noorman and R.R. Manory, “Tribological studies of Zr-implanted PVD TiN coatings deposited on stainless steel substrates” Wear, 254(7-8) 589-596 (2003).
  34. W. Prissanaroon, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram and J. Liesegang, “Electropolymerization of DBSA-doped polypyrrole films on PTFE via an electroless copper interlayer” Surface and Interface Analysis, 35(12) 974-983 (2003).
  35. S. Mollica, D. K. Sood, P. J. Evans, J. T. Noorman, N. Dytlewski, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram and K. Latham, “Effect of aluminium ion implantation on the oxidation resistance of DC magnetron sputter- deposited TiB2 thin films”, Surface Coatings and Technology, 177-178, 185-197 (2004).
  36. W. Prissanaroon, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram and J. Liesegang, “A surface and electrochemical study of polypyrrole coated on stainless steel and copper” Current Applied Physics, 4(2-4), 163-166 (2004).
  37. W. Prissanaroon, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram and J. Liesegang, "Electropolymerisation of pyrrole on copper in aqueous media" Synthetic Metals 142(1-3), 25-34 (2004).
  38. E.P. Ivanova, D.K. Pham, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram and D.V. Nicolau, “Poly(L-lysine)-mediated immobilisation of oligonucleotides on carboxy-rich polymer surfaces” Biosensors and Bioelectronics 19(11), 1363-1370 (2004).
  39. K. S. A. Butcher, Afifuddin, T.L. Tansley, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram, H. Timmers, K. E. Prince and R.G. Elliman "Gallium and oxygen accumulations on gallium nitride surfaces following argon ion milling in ultra-high vacuum conditions" Applied Surface Science 230(1-4), 18-23 (2004).
  40. A.N. Rider, N. Brack, S. Andres and P.J. Pigram “Characterisation of epoxy and aluminium surfaces relevant to adhesion” Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology, 18(10), 1123 - 1152 (2004).
  41. K.P. Purushotham, L.P. Ward, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram, P. Evans, H. Noorman, R.R. Manory, “Wear behaviour of CrN coatings MEVVA ion implanted with Zr”, Wear 257(9-10), 901-908 (2004).
  42. A.H. Soliman, S.R. Holcombe, P.J. Pigram and J. Liesegang, “Surface conductivity of insulators: resistivity measurement technique under vacuum” Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 17(4), 599 – 617 (2005).
  43. S. Donev, N. Brack, N. J. Paras, P.J. Pigram, N.K. Singh, and B.F. Usher, “Surface reactions of 1-propanethiol on GaAs(100)” Langmuir, 21(5), 1866 - 1874 (2005)
  44. W. Prissanaroon, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram, P. Hale, P. Kappen and J. Liesegang “Micro-contact printing of copper and polypyrrole on fluoropolymers" Thin Solid Films 477(1-2), 131-139 (2005).
  45. P. Kappen, N. Brack, P.S. Hale, W. Prissanaroon, E. Welter, and P.J. Pigram, “Radiation and storage-induced ageing of polypyrrole doped with dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid” Applied Surface Science, 243(1-4), 287 – 295 (2005).
  46. W. Prissanaroon, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram, P. Hale, P. Kappen and J. Liesegang, “Fabrication of patterned polypyrrole on fluoropolymers for pH sensing applications”, Synthetic Metals, 154(1-3), 105-108 (2005).
  47. N. Brack, A.N. Rider, B. Halstead and P.J. Pigram, “Surface modification of boron fibres for improved strength in composite materials” Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology, 19(10), 857-877 (2005).
  48. P.S. Hale, N. Brack, W. Prissanaroon, P. Kappen, P.J. Pigram, and J. Liesegang, Micro-patterning of fluoropolymers Applied Surface Science 252(6) 2217-2228 (2006).
  49. E.P. Ivanova, J.P. Wright, D.K. Pham, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram, Y.V. Alekseeva, G.M. Demyashev and D.V. Nicolau, “A comparative study between the adsorption and covalent binding of human immunoglobulin and lysozyme on surface-modified poly(tert-butyl methacrylate)”, Biomedical Materials, 1(1), 24-32 (2006).
  50. L. So, N. Ng, M.M.M. Bilek, P.J. Pigram and N. Brack, “X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of the surface chemistry of soda-lime glass in vacuum” Surface and Interface Analysis 38(4), 648-651 (2006).
  51. V. Stambouli, A. Zebda, E. Appert, C. Guiducci, M. Labeau, J.-P. Diard, B. Le Gorrec, N. Brack and P.J. Pigram, “Semiconductor oxide based electrodes for the label-free electrical detection of DNA hybridization: comparison between Sb doped SnO2 and CdIn2O4” Electrochimica Acta 51(24), 5206-5214 (2006).
  52. G. Domazetis, M. Raoarun, B.D. James, J. Liesegang, P.J. Pigram, N. Brack, R. Glaisher. “Analytical and characterization studies of organic and inorganic species in brown coal” Energy and Fuels, 20(4), 1556-1564 (2006).
  53. P. Kappen, P.S. Hale, N. Brack, W. Prissanaroon and P.J. Pigram, “X-PEEM / NEXAFS and AFM of polypyrrole and copper micro-patterns on insulating fluoropolymer substrates”, Applied Surface Science 253(3), 1473-1479 (2006).
  54. W. Prissanaroon, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram and J. Liesegang, "Co-doped polypyrrole coatings for stainless steel protection" Surface Review and Letters, 13(2-3), 319-327 (2006).
  55. P.S. Hale, P. Kappen, W. Prissanaroon, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram and J. Liesegang “Minimizing silicone transfer during micro-contact printing” Applied Surface Science, 253(8), 3746-3750 (2007).
  56. K.P. Purushotham, L.P. Ward, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram, P. Evans, H. Noorman, R.R. Manory, “Corrosion behaviour of Zr modified CrN coatings using metal vapor vacuum arc ion implantation”, Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A, 25(1), 110-116 (2007).
  57. K.P. Purushotham, L.P. Ward, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram, P. Evans, H. Noorman, R.R. Manory, “The effect of MEVVA ion implantation of Zr on the corrosion behaviour of PVD TiN coatings”, Corrosion Science, 50(1), 8-14 (2008).
  58. P. Kappen, E. Welter, P.H. Beck, J.M. McNamara, K.A. Moroney, G.M. Roe, A. Read, and P.J. Pigram, “Time-resolved XANES speciation studies of chromium on soils during simulated contamination” Talanta, 75, 1284-1292 (2008).
  59. P.S. Hale, S. Turgeon, F. Lewis, P. Horny, D. Mantovani, N. Brack, G. van Riessen, and P.J. Pigram, “X-ray photoelectron emission microscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis of ultrathin fluoropolymer coatings for stent applications” Langmuir, 24(15), 7897-7905 (2008). DOI: 10.1021/la8002788
  60. F. Awaja, G. van Riessen, G.L. Kelly, and B.L. Fox and P.J. Pigram “ToF-SIMS investigation of epoxy resin curing reaction at different hardener ratios” Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 110(5), 2711-2717 (2008). DOI: 10.1002/app.28813