Boniface PT Fokwa, Dr.Rer.Nat.Habil

Boniface P. T. Fokwa, Dr.rer.nat.Habil.

Address

Department of Chemistry (CFMs in Chemical Engineering and Materials Sciences) University of California Riverside 225 Pierce Annex [email protected] +1 951 827 2038 fokwalab.ucr.edu

Education

Dr.rer.nat. (Ph.D.), Chemistry, TU Dresden (Germany) 1999-2003

Topic: Syntheses, Crystal structures and Properties of the compounds LnSeTe2, YSe1.85,

Ln1-xLn´xSe2- and Ln2O2Te1-xSex (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm; Ln´= Y, Gd) Advisors: Peter Böttcher and Michael Ruck, TU Dresden (Germany). BSc./MSc./DEA, Chemistry, University of Yaoundé I (Cameroon) 1993-1999

Experience

Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, UC Riverside 07/2018- Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, UC Riverside 2015-2018 Heisenberg Fellow (Associate Professor Level), Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University (Germany) 2011-2015 Habilitand (Assistant Professor Level), Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University (Germany) 2006-2011 DFG-Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University (Germany) 2004-2006 Postdoctoral Researcher, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, TU Dresden (Germany) 2003-2004 Graduate Research Assistant, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, TU Dresden (Germany) 1999-2003

Honors and awards

NSF Career Award 2016 Visiting Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of California Los Angeles, USA 2014-2015 Visiting scientist, Department of Chemistry, Cornel University, Ithaca, USA 2012 Heisenberg Fellow 2011-2015 Visiting scientist, Inorganic Chemistry, University of Auckland, New Zealand 2011 Postdoctoral Fellow, German Research Foundation (DFG) 2004

Professional society and service

Section Editor, Encyclopedia of Inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Wiley 2018- Associate Editor, Encyclopedia of Inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Wiley 2016-2017 American Ceramic Society (ACerS), member 2016-present American Chemical Society (ACS), member 2014-present Materials Research Society (MRS), member 2014-2015

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Boniface P. T. Fokwa, Dr.rer.nat.Habil.

German Society of University Lecturers, member 2011-2015 German Chemical Society, member 2002-2015

Research interest

My research group is interested in inorganic solids derived from the combination of main group elements (mainly boron) and metals (mainly transition metals). Much emphasis lies on the elucidation of the crystal and electronic structures as well as structure-bonding-property correlations of such new compounds, thus enabling their possible use as materials for energy applications (magnetic, magnetocaloric, spintronic and superconducting materials) as well as refractory materials (hard and superhard materials) and catalytic materials. Also, we are interested in morphology-structure-property correlations studies of these materials in the nanoscale regime.

Funding

DMR-1835979-supplement (NSF, CAREER) Program 2018-2021 Title: Supplemental funding: PPMS-He-liquefier Total Award Amount: $150,000 ($110,000 from NSF and $40,000 from UCR) DMR-1654780 (NSF, US), Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program 2017-2021 Title: Rational Design of Magnetic Materials Featuring Low-Dimensional Subunits Source of Support: NSF-DMR Total Award Amount: $604,000 Total Award Period Covered: 01/01/2017 - 12/31/2021 UCR-Startup fund: $1,050,000 2015-2019

Before UCR FO 498/7-1 (DFG, Germany), Regular Research Award, Materials World Network Program 2013-2015 FO 498/6-2 (DFG, Germany), Regular Research Award, Extension 2014-2017 FO 498/6-1 (DFG, Germany), Regular Research Award, 2011-2014 FO 498/5-2 (DFG, Germany), Heisenberg Fellowship, Extension 2014-2016 FO 498/5-1 (DFG, Germany), Heisenberg Fellowship 2011-2014 FO 498/4-1 (DFG, Germany), Regular Research Award, Materials World Network Program 2008-2012 FO 498/1-1 (DFG, Germany), Postdoctoral Fellowship 2004-2006

Publications (104 papers, 1 book and 1 book chapter)

104) T. Ortner*, J.P. Scheifers, J. Flores, Y. Zhang, A.K. Iyer, T.M. Gesing, B.P.T. Fokwa*: An Old Dog with New Tricks – Additions to the Cesium Lithium Chloride System: Cs3Li2Cl5 and the Hydrated Cs3LiCl4·4H2O, Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 2019, https://doi.org/10.1002/ejic.201900774. 103) M. Alghamdi, M. Lohmann, J. Li, P. R. Jothi, Q. Shao, M. Aldosary,T. Su, B. P. T. Fokwa, J. Shi, Highly efficient spin-orbit torque and switching of layered ferromagnet Fe3GeTe2, Nano Lett. 2019, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b01043. 102) H. Park, Y. Zhang, E. Lee, P. Shankhari, B. P. T. Fokwa: Designing highly active high current density HER electrocatalysts: Graphene-like boron layer and tungsten as key ingredients in metal diborides, ChemSusChem, 2019, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cssc.201901301. 101) F. Stegemann, T. Block, S. Klenner, Y. Zhang, B. P. T. Fokwa, A. Timmer, H. Mönig, C. Doerenkamp, H. Eckert, O. Janka: From 3D to 2D: Structural, Spectroscopical and Theoretical Investigations of the Dimensionality Reduction in the [PtAl2]δ- Polyanions of the Isotypic MPtAl2 Series (M = Ca-Ba, Eu), Chem. Eur. J., 2019, https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201901867.

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100) A. K. Iyer, Y. Zhang, J. P. Scheifers, B. P. T. Fokwa: Structural variations, relationships and properties of M2B metal borides, J. Solid State Chem. 2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssc.2018.12.014. Invited review. 99) P. R. Jothi, Y. Zhang, K. Yubuta, D. B. Culver, M. Conley, B. P. T. Fokwa: Abundant Vanadium Diboride with Graphene-like Boron layers for Hydrogen Evolution, ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 2018, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsaem.8b01615. 98) S. Dejan, P. Bag, P. Shankhari, B. P. T. Fokwa, I. Mikhail: Effect of Substitution on the Hysteretic Phase Transition in a Bistable Phenalenyl Based Neutral Radical Molecular Conductor, Chem. Eur. J. 2018, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/chem.201805816. 97) L. Geng, J. Scheifers, J. Zhang, K. Bozhilov, B. P. T. Fokwa*, J. Guo*: Crystal Structure Transformation in Chevrel Phase Mo6S8 Induced by Aluminum Intercalation, Chem. Mater, 2018, accepted. 96) M. Radzieowski, T. Block, Y. Zhang, B. P. T. Fokwa, O.Janka: Synthesis, Crystal and Electronic Structure, Physical Properties and 121Sb and 151Eu Mössbauer Spectroscopy of the Eu14AlPn11 series (Pn = As, Sb), Inorg. Chem. Front. 2018, accepted. 95) N. Sharma, M. Mbarki, Y. Zhang, A. Hug, B. P. T. Fokwa: Structural‐Distortion‐Driven Magnetic Transformation from Ferro‐ to Ferrimagnetic Iron Chains in B6‐based Nb6FeIr6B8, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201804841. 94) R. Forsythe,1 J. Scheifers,1 Y. Zhang, B. P. T. Fokwa: HT-NbOsB: Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of a New Boride Structure Type Containing Boron Chains and Isolated Boron Atoms, Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2018, https://doi.org/10.1002/ejic.201800235. (1: co-first authors). VIP, Invited cover, Invited authors profile. 93) P. R. Jothi, K. Yubuta, B. P. T. Fokwa: A simple, general and environmentally friendly synthetic route toward nanoscale transition metal borides, Adv. Mater. 2018, 30, 1704181–1704186. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201704181. 92) H. Park, Y. Zhang, J. Scheifers, P. R. Jothi, A. Encinas,# B. P. T. Fokwa: Graphene- and phosphorene-like

boron layers with contrasting activities in highly active Mo2B4 for hydrogen evolution, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 12915–12918. DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b07247. (#: undergraduate student)

91) D. Koumoulis, M. Kupers, R. Touzani, Y. Zhang, B.P.T. Fokwa, L.-S. Bouchard: Cr3 Triangles induced

competing magnetic interactions in the new metal boride TiCrIr2B2: An NMR and DFT study, Materials Research Bulletin, 2018, 100, 91–96. 90) P. R. Jothi, Y. Zhang, J. Scheifers, H. Park, B. P. T. Fokwa: Molybdenum diboride nanoparticles as highly efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction, Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2017, 1, 1928-1934. DOI:10.1039/C7SE00397H. 89) P. Shankhari, Y. Zhang, S. Dejan, I. Mikhail, B. P. T. Fokwa: Unexpected Dominating Ferromagnetic

Interactions in Metamagnetic Hf2MnRu5B2 Predicted and Realized, Inorg. Chem. 2017, 56, 12674– 12677. DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.7b01758. 88) P. Shankhari,1 J. Scheifers,1 M. Hermus, Y. Zhang, B. P. T. Fokwa: Ternary borides of group four and

nine transition metals: Perovskite versus Ti3Co5B2 structure types, Z. Anog. Allg. Chem. 2017, 643, 1551- 1556 (1: co-first authors) (Invited).

Pre-tenure publications (87, 12+6 @ UCR) 87) J. Scheifers, Y. Zhang, B. P. T. Fokwa: Boron: Enabling Exciting Metal-rich Structures and Magnetic Properties, Acc. Chem. Res. 2017, DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.7b00268 (Invited). 86) L. Geng, J. Scheifers, C. Fu, J. Zhang, B. P. T. Fokwa, J. Guo: Titanium Sulfides as Intercalation-Type Cathode Materials for Rechargeable Aluminum Batteries, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2017, 9, 21251- 21257. 85) H. Park, P.R.N. Misse, M. Mbarki, P. Shankhari, B. P. T. Fokwa: Synthesis and magnetic properties of

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the new boride series MRh6-nRunB3 (M = Co, Ni; n = 1–5). Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2017, DOI: 10.1002/ejic.201700418 (Invited). 84) F. Stegemann, C. Benndorf, Y. Zhang, M. Bartsch, H. Zacharias, B. P. T. Fokwa, H. Eckert, O. Janka: On

Ternary Intermetallic Aurides: CaAu2Al2, SrAu2–xAl2+x and Ba3Au5+xAl6–x, Z. Anog. Allg. Chem. 2017, DOI: 10.1002/zaac.201700103 (Invited). 83) H. Park, A. Encinas,# J. P. Scheifers, Y. Zhang, B. P. T. Fokwa: Boron-dependency of molybdenum borides electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 5575-5578. HOT PAPER (#: undergraduate student) 82) M. Radzieowski, T. Block,T. Fickenscher, Y. Zhang, B. P. T. Fokwa, O. Janka: "Synthesis, Crystal and Electronic Structures, Physical Properties and 121Sb and 151Eu Mössbauer Spectroscopy of the Alumo-

Antimonide Zintl-Phase Eu5Al2Sb6" Mater. Chem. Front. 2017, 1, 1563-1572. 81) F. Stegemann, C. Benndorf,Y. Zhang, M. Bartsch, H. Zacharias, H. Eckert, B. P. T. Fokwa, O.

Janka: "Network Formation by Condensed Tetrahedral [Au3Al] Units in Na2Au3Al: Crystal and Electronic Structure, Spectroscopic Investigations and Physical Properties of an Ordered Ternary Auride" Inorg. Chem. 2017, 56, 1919-1931. 80) Y. Zhang, G. J. Miller, B. P. T. Fokwa: Computational Design of Rare-Earth-Free Magnets with the

Ti3Co5B2-Type Structure, Chem. Mater. 2017, 29, 2535-2541 (Invited). 79) P. Shankhari, P. Misse, M. Mbarki, H. Park, B. P. T. Fokwa: Chemical tuning of magnetic properties through Ru/Rh substitution in Th7Fe3-type FeRh6–nRunB3 (n = 1 - 5) series, Inorg. Chem. 2017, 56, 446- 451. 78) D. Koumoulis, J. P. Scheifers, R. Touzani, B. P. T. Fokwa, L. Bouchard: Pseudogap formation and vacancy ordering in the new perovskite boride Zr2Ir6B, Acta Materialia 2016, 120, 32-39. 77) D. Koumoulis, J. P. Scheifers, R. Touzani, B. P. T. Fokwa, L. Bouchard: Direct chemical fine-tuning of electronic properties in Sc2Ir6-xPdxB, Chem. Phys. Chem. 2016, 17, 2972-2976. 76) M. Kuepers, L. Lutz-Kappelman, Y. Zhang, G. J. Miller, B. P. T. Fokwa: Spin Frustration and Magnetic Ordering from One-Dimensional Stacking of Cr3 Triangles in TiCrIr2B2, Inorg. Chem. 2016, 55, 5640– 5648. Highlighted in Nachrichten aus der Chemie, DOI: 10.1002/nadc.20174059830 (03/2017).

6 publications at UCR but without UCR students and/or postdocs: 70-75.

75) J.-P. Schmiegel, T. Block, B. Gerke, T. Fickenscher, R. St. Touzani, B. P. T. Fokwa, O. Janka; EuAu3Al2: Crystal and Electronic Structures, Spectroscopic, Magnetic and Magnetocaloric Properties Inorg. Chem. 2016, 55, 9057–9064. 74) R. St. Touzani, M. Mbarki, X. Chen, B. P. T. Fokwa, Peierls-Distorted Ru-chains and Boron Dumbbells in Nb2RuB2 and Ta2RuB2 from First-principles Calculations and Experiments, Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2016, 4104–4110. 73) F. Stegemann, C. Benndorf, R. St. Touzani, B. P. T. Fokwa, O. Janka: Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of the Polar Intermetallics SrPt3Al2 and Sr2Pd2Al, J. Solid State Chem. 2016, 242, 143– 150. 72) M. Mbarki, R. St. Touzani, C. W. G. Rehorn, Fabian C. Gladisch, B. P. T. Fokwa: New ternary tantalum borides containing boron dumbbells: Experimental and theoretical studies of Ta2OsB2 and TaRuB, J. Solid State Chem. 2016, 242, 28–33. 71) F. Stegemann, C. Benndorf, R. St. Touzani, B. P. T. Fokwa, O. Janka: Sr2Pd4Al5: Synthesis, Crystal and Electronic Structures, and Chemical Bonding of a New Polar Intermetallic Compound, Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2016, 7, 1108–1114. 70) F. Stegemann, C. Benndorf, T. Bartsch, R. St. Touzani, M. Bartsch, H. Zacharias, B. P. T. Fokwa, H. Eckert, O. Janka: Ba3Pt4Al4 – Structure, Properties, Theoretical and NMR Spectroscopic Investigations of a Complex Platinide Featuring Heterocubane [Pt4Al4] Units, Inorg. Chem. 2015, 54, 10785-10793.

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69 Publications before UCR appointment

69) M. Hermus, J. P. Scheiffers, R. St. Touzani, B. P. T. Fokwa: Electronic Pseudogap-Driven Formation of New Double-Perovskite-like Borides within the Sc2Ir6–xTxB (T = Pd, Ni; x = 0–6) Series, Inorg. Chem. 2015, 54, 4056-4063. 68) J. Nenwa, E. D. Djomo, E. N. Nfor, P. L. Djonwouo, M. Mbarki, B. P. T. Fokwa: Two novel organic- inorganic hybrid compounds with straight and zigzag chain alignments of Cu(II) centers: synthesis, crystal structure, spectroscopy, thermal analysis and magnetism, Polyhedron, 2015, 99, 26-33. 67) R. St. Touzani, C. W. G. Rehorn, B. P. T. Fokwa: Influence of chemical bonding and magnetism on elastic properties of the A2MB2 borides (A = Nb, Ta; M = Fe, Ru, Os) from first-principles calculations, Comput. Mat. Sci. 2015, 104, 52-59. 66) O.Niehaus, P. M. Abdala, R. St. Touzani, B. P. T. Fokwa, R. Pöttgen: Three structure types and intermediate cerium valence in the solid solution CeRu1-xNixSn, Solid State Sciences, 2015, 40, 36-43. 65) M. Mbarki, R. St. Touzani, B. P. T. Fokwa: Unexpected Synergy between Magnetic Iron Chains and Stacked B6 Rings in Nb6Fe1-xIr6+xB8, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 13174-13177. HOT PAPER and Cover article. 64) M. Hermus, B. P. T. Fokwa: Experimental and First-Principles Studies of the New Ternary Borides Ta3Ru5B2 and M3–xRu5+xB2 (M = Zr, Hf), Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2014, 3086-3094. 63) I. M. Ndassa, B. P. T. Fokwa: Site Preference and Magnetic Orderings in the Intermetallic Boride Series M1.5Rh5.5B3 (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) from First Principles DFT Calculations, Comp. Mater. Sci. 2014, 92, 416-421. 62) M. Hermus, M. Yang, D. Grüner, F. J. DiSalvo, B. P. T. Fokwa: Drastic Change of Magnetic Interactions and Hysteresis through Site-Preferential Ru/Ir Substitution in Sc2FeRu5–xIrxB2, Chem. Mater. 2014, 26, 1967-1974. 61) M. Mbarki, R. St. Touzani, B. P. T. Fokwa: Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of the Ternary Boride NbRuB with a Layerlike Structure Type, Eur. J. Inorg.Chem. 2014, 1381-1388. 60) O. Niehaus, U. Ch. Rodewald, P. M. Abdala, R. St. Touzani, B. P. T. Fokwa, O. Janka: Synthesis and Theoretical Investigations of the Solid Solution CeRu1–xNixAl (x = 0.1–0.95) Showing Cerium Valence Fluctuations, Inorg.Chem.2014, 53, 2471-2480. 59) J. Nenwa, P. L. Djonwouo, E. N. Nfor, M. M. Bélombé, E. Jeanneau, M. Mbarki, B. P. T. Fokwa: A Dimeric Copper(II) Complex of Oxalate and Oxamide Dioxime Ligands: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Thermal Stability, and Magnetic Properties, Z. Naturforsch. 2014, 69b, 321-326. 58) R. St. Touzani, B. P. T. Fokwa: Electronic, Structural and Magnetic Studies of Niobium Borides of Group 8 Transition Metals, Nb2MB2 (M = Fe, Ru, Os) from first principles calculations, J. Solid State Chem. 2013, 211, 227-234. 57) C. Goerens, J. Brgoch, G. J. Miller, B. P. T. Fokwa: Scaffolds of Magnetically Active 3d Metals in the Valence Electron Controlled Borides Ti9-xM2+xRu18B8 (M = Cr - Ni; x = 0.5 - 1): Structural, Electronic and Magnetic Properties, J. Solid State Chem.2013, 204, 283-290. 56) M. Mbarki, R. St. Touzani, B. P. T. Fokwa: Nb2OsB2 with a New Twofold Superstructure of the U3Si2 Type: Synthesis, Crystal Chemistry and Chemical Bonding, J. Solid State Chem. 2013, 203, 304- 309. 55) I. M. Ndassa, M. Gillessen, B. P. T. Fokwa: Electronic Structure, Chemical Bonding and Magnetism of the Metal-Rich Borides MRh6B3 (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) with Th7Fe3-Type Structure: A Density Functional Theory Study, Solid State Sciences, 2013, 17, 14-20. 54) C. Goerens, B. P. T. Fokwa: V1+xNb1–xIrB2 (x ≈ 0.1), The First Quaternary Metal-Rich Boride Adopting The Mo2IrB2-Type Structure: Synthesis, Crystal and Electronic Structure and Bonding Analysis, Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem., 2013, 639, 319-325. Highlighted in Nachrichten aus der Chemie (03/2014). 53) B. Gouet, M. Signé, J. Nenwa, M. Mbarki, B. P. T. Fokwa: Pyridinium trans-diaquabis [oxalato(2−)- κ2O1,O2]chromate(III) urea monosolvate, Acta Cryst., 2013, E69, m567 (Sup1-7).

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52) B. Gouet, M. Signé, J. Nenwa, M. Mbarki, B. P. T. Fokwa: Synthesis, crystal structure and spectroscopic characterization of an oxalato bridged silver-deficient chromium(III) salt with water-filled nanochannels, Res. J. Chem. Environ. 2013, 17, 57-63. 51) B. Gouet, I. M. Ndassa, P. R. Ndong, P. R. N. Misse, B. P. T. Fokwa: Crystal structure of potassium trans-diaquabis[oxalato-k2O,O] chromate(III) urea disolvate, K[Cr(C2O4)2(H2O)2]·2CO(NH2)2, C6H12CrKN4O12, Z. Kristallogr. NCS 2013, 228, 175-176. 50) B. P. T. Fokwa, M. Hermus: All-Boron Planar B6 Ring in the Solid State Phase Ti7Rh4Ir2B8, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 1702-1705; Angew. Chem. 2012, 124, 1734-1737. HOT PAPER, Highlighted in Chemical and Engineering News (02/2012). 49) M. Hermus, B. P. T. Fokwa: Competing Electronic and Size Effects When Substituting 3d Elements for 4g 2a Nb in Nb3Ru5B2 En Route to the Quaternary Phases (Nb2–xScx) Nb Ru5B2 (1 ≤ x < 2), Nb3– xMxRu5B2 (M = Ti, V; x ≈ 1), and Nb2+xM1–xRu5B2 (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni; 0 < x ≤ 0.5), Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2012, 4877. 48) J. Nenwa, Befolo Olivier, Gouet, Bebga, M. Mbarki, B. P. T. Fokwa: Pyridinium cis-diaquabis [oxalato(2−)-κ2O1,O2] chromate(III), Acta Cryst. 2012, E68, m1434. 47) J. Nenwa, B. Gouet, P. L. Djonwouo, B. P. T. Fokwa: Synthesis, X-ray structure and spectroscopic characterization of a non-stoichiometric nanostructured silver salt hosting water-guest molecules. Res. J. Chem. Environ. 2012, 16, 111. 46) C. Goerens, B. P. T. Fokwa: The complex metal-rich boride Ti1+xRh2−x+yIr3−yB3 (x=0.68, y=1.06) with a new structure type containing B4 zigzag fragments: Synthesis, crystal chemistry and theoretical calculations, J. Solid State Chem. 2012, 192, 119. 45) P. R. N. Misse, M. Mbraki, B. P. T. Fokwa: Synthesis, crystal structure investigation and magnetism of the complex boride series Crx(Rh1−yRuy)7−xB3 (x = 0.88 − 1, y = 0 − 1) with Th7Fe3−type structure J. Solid State Chem. 2012, 192, 331. 44) V. L. Deringer, C. Goerens, M. Esters, R. Dronskowski, B. P. T. Fokwa: Chemical Modeling of Mixed Occupations and Site Preferences in Anisotropic Crystal Structures: Case of Complex Intermetallic Borides. Inorg. Chem. 2012, 51, 5677. Highlighted inNachrichten aus der Chemie (03/2013). 43) B. Gouet, Y. A. Mbiangué, J. Nenwa, B. P. T. Fokwa: Synthesis and X-ray structures of two acidic cobalt (III) complex salts based on oxamide dioxime ligand system. Res. J. Chem. Environ. 2012, 16, 7. 42) J. Nenwa, Gouet, Bebga, Martin Signé, M. M. Bélombé, M. Mbarki, B. P. T. Fokwa: 2- Aminopyridinium trans-diaquabis[oxalato(2−)-κ2O1,O2] chromate(III), Acta Cryst. 2012, E68, m1325. 41) P. R. N. Misse, M. Gilleßen, B. P. T. Fokwa: Site-Preferential Design of Itinerant Ferromagnetic Borides: Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of MRh6B3 (M = Fe, Co), Inorg. Chem. 2011, 50, 10303. 40) M. Hermus, D. Geier, B. P. T. Fokwa: Nb3Ru5B2 – The First Fully Characterized Ternary Phase in the Nb-Ru-B System: Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Bonding Analysis, Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 2011, 638, 49. 39) P. R. N. Misse, R. Dronskowski, B. P. T. Fokwa: Synthesis, Crystal Chemistry and Magnetism of the Metal-rich Borides MxRh7–xB3 (M = Cr, Mn, Ni; x = 0.39 – 1) with Th7Fe3-type Structure. Z. Naturforsch., 2011, 66b, 1241. 38) C. Goerens, J. Brgoch, G. J. Miller, B. P. T. Fokwa: Scaffolding, Ladders, Chains, and Rare Ferrimagnetism in Intermetallic Borides: Synthesis, Crystal Chemistry and Magnetism, Inorg. Chem. 2011, 50, 6289. 37) J. Brgoch, C. Goerens, B. P. T. Fokwa, G. J. Miller: Scaffolding, Ladders, Chains, and Rare Ferrimagnetism in Intermetallic Borides: Electronic Structure Calculations and Magnetic Ordering, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 6832-6840. 36) B. P. T. Fokwa, M. Hermus: Complete Titanium Substitution by Boron in Tetragonal Prism- Exploring the Complex Boride Series Ti3–xRu5–yIryB2+x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1 and 1 < y < 3) by Experiment and Theory, Inorg. Chem. 2011, 50, 3332.

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35) B. P. T. Fokwa, H. Lueken, R. Dronskowski: Rational Design of Complex Borides – One-Electron-Step Evolution from Soft to Semi-Hard Itinerant Ferromagnets in the New Boride Series Ti2FeRu5–nRhnB2 (1 ≤ n ≤ 5), Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2011, 3926. 34) M. Hermus, B. P. T. Fokwa: Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Ru/Ir Site Preference in the Complex Boride Series Ti2FeRu5–xIrxB2 and Zr2Fe1–dRu5–x+dIrxB2 (d < 0.15, x = 1 - 4), Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 2011, 637, 947. 33) B. P. T. Fokwa: Transition Metal-Rich Borides: Fascinating Crystal Structures and Magnetic Properties, Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2010, 3075. (Invited Microreview) 32) M. Hermus, B. P. T. Fokwa: Zr2Ir6B with an eightfold superstructure of the cubic perovskite-like boride ZrIr3B0.5: Synthesis, crystal structure and bonding analysis, J. Solid State Chem. 2010, 183, 784. 31) P. R. N. Misse, B. P. T. Fokwa: Synthesis, Characterization, and Magnetic Properties of the New Boride Solid Solutions M0.5Ru6.5B3 (M = Cr, Mn, Co, Ni), Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 2010, 636, 1013. 30) B. P. T. Fokwa, C. Goerens, M. Gilleßen: New quaternary complex borides, Ti9M2Ru18B8 (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn): synthesis, crystal structure and bonding analysis, Z. Kristallogr. 2010, 225, 180. 29) K. Tschulik, S. Hoffmann, B. P. T. Fokwa, M. Gilleßen, P. Schmidt: Studies regarding the homogeneity range of the zirconium phosphide telluride Zr2+δPTe2, Solid State Sciences, 2010, 12, 2030. 28) J. Nenwa, M. M. Bélombé, J. Ngoune, B. P. T. Fokwa: 4-(Dimethylamino) pyridinium trans- diaquabis[oxalato(2−)-κ2O1,O2]chromate(III), Acta Cryst. 2010, E66, m1410. 27) B. P. T. Fokwa: Valence-Electron-Driven Ru/Ti Site Preference in the New Ternary Boride Ti10Ru19B8: Synthesis and Single-Crystal Structure Refinement, Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 2009, 635, 2258. 26) B. P. T. Fokwa, P. R. N. Misse, M. Gilleßen, R. Dronskowski: Sn-flux Syntheses, Characterizations and Bonding Analyses of OsB and TiB2, J. Alloys Compd. 2009, 483, 339. 25) L Stork, X. Liu, B. P. T. Fokwa, R. Dronskowski: [CrBr2(NH3)4][CrBr4(NH3)2], a new chromium(III) complex, Acta Cryst. 2009, C65, i54. 24) K. Tschulik, M. Ruck, M. Binnewies, E. Milke, S. Hoffmann, W. Schnelle, B. P. T. Fokwa, M. Gilleßen, P. Schmidt: Chemistry and Physical Properties of the Phosphide Telluride Zr2PTe2, Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2009, 3102. 23) M. M. Bélombé, J. Nenwa, Y. A. Mbiangue, B. P. T. Fokwa, R. Dronskowski: Crystal structure of catena-bis[aqua-μ-(2S,3S)-tartratocobalt(II)] trihydrate, [Co(H2O)(C4H4O6)]2·3H2O, a new polymorph, Z. Kristallogr. NCS 2009, 224, 241. 22) B. P. T. Fokwa, G. D. Samolyuk, G. J. Miller, R. Dronskowski: Ladders of a magnetically active element in the structure of the novel complex boride Ti9Fe2Ru18B8: Synthesis, structure, bonding and magnetism, Inorg. Chem. 2008, 47, 2113. Highlighted inNachrichten aus der Chemie (03/2009). 21) B. P. T. Fokwa, R. Dronskowski: New transition-metal-borides containing trigonal-planar B4-units: Synthesis and single-crystal structure analyses of Ti1.6Os2.4B2 and Ti1–xFexOs2RhB2 (0 ≤ x < 0.5), Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 2008, 634, 1955. 20) D. Sendor, B. P. T. Fokwa, R. Dronskowski, U. Simon: Electrical and optical properties of Cetineite- Type Rb-, Sr-, and Ba-oxoselenoantimonates(III), Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2008, 369. 19) M. M. Bélombé, J. Nenwa, Y. A. Mbiangue, B. P. T. Fokwa, R. Dronskowski: Tris (oxamide dioxime- κ2N,N’)nickel(II) sulfate pentahydrate, Acta Cryst. 2008, E64, m1440. 18) M. M. Bélombé, J. Nenwa, B. Gouet, B. P. T. Fokwa, R. Dronskowski: Di[tris(oxamide dioxime- κ2N,N’)cobalt(III)] oxalate disulfate dodecahydrate, Acta Cryst. 2008, E64, m116. 17) B. P. T. Fokwa, H. Lueken, R. Dronskowski: Chemical tuning between ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism in the complex boride series Sc2FeRu5–nRhnB2 (0 ≤ n ≤ 5), Chem. Eur. J. 2007, 13, 6040. 16) G. Samolyuk, B. P. T. Fokwa, R. Dronskowski, G. J. Miller: Electronic structure, chemical bonding and magnetic properties in the intermetallic series Sc2Fe(Ru1–xRhx)5B2 from first principles, Phys. Rev. B. 2007, 76, 094404. 15) D. Sendor, B. P. T. Fokwa, R. Dronskowski, U. Simon: Noble gases affect the conductivity of cetineite- type nanoporous semiconductors, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2007, 46, 6372; Angew. Chem. 2007, 119, 6491.

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14) L Stork, X. Liu, B. P. T. Fokwa, R. Dronskowski: Crystal structure determination of thallium carbodiimide, Tl2NCN, Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 2007, 633, 1339. 13) M. M. Bélombé, J. Nenwa, B. Gouet, B. P. T. Fokwa, R. Dronskowski: Di[tris(oxamide dioxime- κ2N,N’)cobalt(III)] oxalate bis(sulfate) dodecahydrate, Acta Cryst. 2007, E63, m2037. 12) M. Krott, X.Liu, B. P. T. Fokwa, M. Speldrich H. Lueken, R. Dronskowski: Synthesis, crystal structure determination and magnetic properties of two novel transition metal carbodiimides: CoNCN and NiNCN, Inorg. Chem. 2007, 46, 2204. 11) Th. Doert, E. Dashjav, B. P. T. Fokwa: The rare earth metal polyselenides Gd8Se15, Tb8Se15–x, Dy8Se15– x, Ho8Se15–x, Er8Se15–x, and Y8Se15–x-Increasing disorder in defective planar selenium layers, Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 2007, 633, 261. 10) B. P. T. Fokwa, R. Dronskowski: Synthesis, single crystal structure refinement and Fe/T site preference in the ternary borides, FexT7–xB3 (T = Ru, Rh; 0 < x < 1.5), J. Alloys Compd. 2007, 428, 84. 9) B. P. T. Fokwa, J. von Appen, R. Dronskowski: Synthesis of a missing structural link: The first trigonal planar B4 units in the novel complex boride Ti1+xOs2–xRuB2 (x = 0.6), Chem. Commun. 2006, 4419. Highlighted in Nachrichten aus der Chemie (03/2007). 8) M. M. Bélombé, J. Nenwa, B. P. T. Fokwa, R. Dronskowski: Potassium trans diaquabis [oxalato(2-)- κ2O,O']chromate(III), Acta Cryst. 2006, E62, m1400. 7) B. P. T. Fokwa, B. Eck, R. Dronskowski: Ti2Rh6B - A new boride with a double perovskite-like structure containing octahedral Rh6 clusters, Z. Kristallogr. 2006, 221, 445. 6) B. P. T. Fokwa, R. Dronskowski: Synthesis, crystal structure determination and Fe/Rh site preference in the new ternary boride FeRh6B3, Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 2005, 631, 2478. 5) W. Liao, B. P. T. Fokwa, R. Dronskowski: Eu8(NCN)5–dI6+2d (d = 0.05): a novel rare-earth carbodiimide iodide containing oligomeric tritetrahedral Eu8 clusters, Chem. Commun. 2005, 3612. 4) B. P. T. Fokwa, Th. Doert: The ternary rare-earth polychalcogenides LaSeTe2, CeSeTe2, PrSeTe2, NdSeTe2, and SmSeTe2: Syntheses, crystal structures, electronic properties, and charge-density- wave- transitions, Solid State Sciences. 2005, 7, 573. 3) Th. Doert, B. P. T. Fokwa, S. Lidin, F. J. Garcia Garcia: Site occupancy wave and charge density waves in the modulated structure of Nd0.6Gd0.4Se1.85, J. Solid State Chem. 2004, 177, 1598. 2) Th. Doert, B. P. T. Fokwa, P. Simon, S. Lidin, T. Söhnel: LaSeTe2 – Temperature dependent structure investigation and electron holography on a charge density waves hosting compound, Chem. Eur. J. 2003, 9, 5865. 1) B. P. T. Fokwa, Th. Doert, P. Simon, T. Söhnel, P. Böttcher: PrSeTe2, an ordered ternary polychalcogenide with the NdTe3-structure, Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 2002, 628, 2612.

Books and Book chapters

B. P. T. Fokwa: Borides: Solid-State Chemistry In “Encyclopedia of Inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry” Ed. R. A. Scott, 2014, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., DOI: 10.1002/9781119951438.eibc0022.pub2

H. Wang (Editor), B. P. T. Fokwa (Editor), Inorganic Battery Materials, Wiley, 2019, 416 Pages. ISBN: 978-1-119-43199-2.

Patents B. P. T. Fokwa and Palani R. Jothi: US Provisional Patent Application (R17-861/PROV) for “Scalable synthesis of micro- and nano-crystalline transition metal borides”: UC Case No. 2017- 861. Pending.

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Invited departmental seminars and invited conference oral presentations

59. 18th International Symposium on Boron, Borides and rel. Materials, Niigata, Japan 09/2019 56. Workshop: Advances in Solid State Chemistry and Physics &Nanoscience, Tsukuba, Japan 09/2019 55. University of Tokyo, Department of Advanced Materials Science, Tokyo, Japan 09/2019 55. Materials Research Society (MRS), Boston, USA (session chair) 07/2018 55. Gordon Research Conference (GRC), Solid State Chemistry, New London, NH, USA 07/2018 54. University of Louisville, Department of Chemistry, Louisville, KY, USA 08/2018 53. 2nd World Chemistry Conference and Exhibition, Valencia, Spain 07/2018 52. 15th International Conference on Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies, Thessaloniki, Greece 07/2018 51. Symposium on “Present and Future of Thermoelectrics” Rennes, France 06/2018 50. University of Utah, Materials Science and Engineering, Logan, UT, USA 10/2017 49. Utah State University, Department of Chemistry, Logan, UT, USA 10/2017 48. University of Michigan, Materials Science and Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI, USA 09/2017 47. 18th International Symposium on Boron, Borides and rel. Materials, Freiburg, Germany 09/2017 46. Texas A&M University, Department of Chemistry, College Station, TX, USA 09/2017 45. University of Houston, Department of Chemistry, Houston, TX, USA 09/2017 44. UT Rio Grande Valley, Department of Chemistry, Edinburg, TX, USA 09/2017 43. USC, Department of Chemistry, Los Angeles, CA, USA 09/2017 42. Cal. State Long Beach, Department of Chemistry, CA, USA 09/2017 41. Technical University of Munich, Chemistry Department, Germany 09/2017 40. University of Augsburg, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Germany 09/2017 39. University of Darmstadt, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Germany 09/2017 38. BIT’s World Congress of Smart Materials, Bangkok, Thailand 03/2017 37. Crystallography 2016, Houston, TX, USA (keynote speaker) 10/2016 36. Materials Science & Technology (MS&T'16), Salt Lake City, USA 10/2016 35. 4th International Conference on Chemical Bonding (ICCB), Kauai, USA 07/2016 34. 251th ACS National Meeting, San Diego, USA (session chair) 02/2016 33. UCLA, Department of Chemistry, Los Angeles, CA, USA 03/2015 32. FSU Florida, Department of Chemistry, Tallahassee, FL, USA 02/2015 31. Missouri University S&T, Department of Chemistry, Rolla, USA 02/2015 30. UC Davis, Department of Chemistry, CA, USA 01/2015 29. Brown University, Department of Chemistry, Providence, RI, USA 12/2014 28. GW University, Department of Chemistry, Washington DC, USA 12/2014 27. UCR, Department of Chemistry, Riverside, CA, USA 11/2014 26. UT Arlington, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, TX, USA 11/2014 25. 18th International Symposium on Boron, Borides and rel. Materials, Honolulu, USA 09/2014 24. 2nd International Conference on Chemical Bonding (ICCB), Kauai, USA 07/2014 23. University of Barcelona, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Spain 10/2013 22. Joint European Magnetic Symposia (JEMS), Rhodos, Greece 08/2013 21. 1st International Conference on Chemical Bonding (ICCB), Kauai, USA 07/2013 20. World Congress of Advanced Materials, Suzhou, China (session chair) 06/2013 19. FIRSM Institute, Fuzhou, China 06/2013 18. University of Münster, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Germany 04/2013 17. University of Stuttgart, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Germany 04/2013 16. University of Freiburg, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Germany 01/2013 15. Cornell University, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Ithaka, NY, USA 07/2012 14. UC Santa Barbara, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, CA, USA 07/2012 13. GRC Solid State Chemistry, New London, NH, USA (Invited poster presentation) 07/2012 12. Northwestern University, Department of Chemistry, IL, USA 06/2012

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11. Iowa State University, Department of Chemistry, IA, USA 06/2012 10. University of Delaware, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, DE, USA 06/2012 9. University of Alberta, Department of Chemistry, Edmonton, Canada 05/2012 8. University of Waterloo, Department of Chemistry, Canada 05/2012 7. McMaster University, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biol., Hamilton, Canada 05/2012 6. University of Vienna, Department of Physical Chemistry, Austria 10/2011 5. Massey University, Centre for Theor. Chemistry and Physics, Auckland, New Zealand 03/2011 4. University of Auckland, Department of Chemistry, New Zealand 03/2011 3. ANSTO, Sydney, Australia 03/2011 2. Victoria University of Wellington, School of Chemical and Phys. Sci., New Zealand 03/2011 1. University of Sydney, School of Chemistry, Sydney, Australia 03/2011

Research group

Current Members 4 Graduate students: Jan P. Scheifers, Amir A. Rezaie, Eunsoo Lee, Diana Luong 3 Undergraduate Students: Nika Bakshi, Justin Flores, Avery Hill

Past Members 6 Postdoctoral Associates: Dr. Yuemei Zhang (2015-2019) Dr. Palani Raja Jothi (2016-2019) Dr. Teresa Ortner (2018-2019) Dr. Abishek Iyer (2018-2019), Dr. FNU Neetika (2017-2018) Dr. Ibrahim M. Ndassa (2011-2012), 7 Graduate students: Pritam Shankhari (PhD thesis in August 2019) Hyounmyung Park (PhD thesis in September 2019) Rachid Touzani (PhD thesis in April 2016) Mohammed Mbarki (PhD thesis in April 2016) Martin Hermus, (PhD thesis in August 2014) Christian Goerens (PhD thesis in April 2013) Patrick R.N. Missé (PhD thesis in June 2012)

2 Masters students: Ryland Forsythe (MS thesis, June 2018) Michael Kuepers (MS thesis, February 2014) 3 Visiting researchers: Jakoah Brgoch (2011), from Iowa State University, Ames, US Laura Lutz (2014), from Iowa State University, Ames, US B.Sc. Sri Harsha (IIT Delhi, India), Prof. Justin Nenwa (Univ. of Yaoundé I, Cameroon) >25 Undergraduate Students: Andrew Encinas (UCR), Michael Kuepers, Fabian Gladisch, Christian Rehorn, Eleonora Doehl, Umut Turan, Monika Krystof, Veit Houben, Marco Esters, Daniel Hintzen, ... Collaborators

Dr. Oliver Janka, University of Münster (DFT of Complex Intermetallics). Prof. Juchen Guo, UCR, (Battery and supercapacitor materials).

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