Courtney Ennis, Our people, Department of Chemistry

PhD, BSc(Hons) (UWA)

Tel +64 3 479 5288
Location Science II, 5n1
Email courtney.ennis@otago.ac.nz

Research interests

The Ennis group is interested in the application of laboratory infrared spectroscopy (including cryogenic thin-film FTIR, matrix isolation, synchrotron far-IR and THz, and aerosol scattering techniques), to characterise crystalline solids.

These investigations are often performed in the context of solid-state astrochemistry, molecular crystals, and supramolecular gas sorption studies where information on UV photochemistry, crystal morphology, and intermolecular interactions within the bulk material to be gathered.

These infrared techniques are coupled with periodic DFT frequency calculations for characterisation of many physicochemical properties of the crystal-phase.

For more detailed information about the Ennis Group research projects and laboratory capabilities please visit our UO Blog:
Courtney Ennis University of Otago blog

Professional background

2018 – present, Senior Lecturer, University of Otago
2015 – 2018, ARC DECRA Research Fellow, La Trobe University, Australia
2014 – 2015, Postdoctoral Fellow, Australian Synchrotron/La Trobe University, Australia
2012 – 2013, Postdoctoral Fellow, University College London, United Kingdom
2009 – 2011, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, USA
2005 – 2009, PhD (Physical Chemistry), University of Western Australia, Australia

Publications

Cavalcante, L. L., Cazplinski, E. C., Maynard-Casely, H. E., Cable, M. L., Chaouche-Mechidal, N., Hodyss, R., & Ennis, C. (2024). Vacuum-ultraviolet irradiation of pyridine:acetylene ices relevant to Titan astrochemistry. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1039/D4CP03437F Journal - Research Article

Alasmari, A., Medcraft, C., Rolfe, K., Ennis, C., & Robertson, E. G. (2024). Microwave spectroscopy of chiral astrochemical candidate vinyloxirane: The missing gauche conformer. Journal of Physical Chemistry A. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpca.4c03560 Journal - Research Article

Clague, L. A., Ennis, C., & Garden, A. L. (2024). A computational investigation into hydrocarbon growth on extraterrestrial mineral surfaces toward understanding the carbon discrepancy in space. ACS Earth & Space Chemistry. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.3c00292 Journal - Research Article

Chen, W.-H., Armstrong, E., Dillingham, P. W., Moratti, S. C., Ennis, C., & McGraw, C. M. (2023). Dual-lifetime referencing (t-DLR) optical fiber fluorescent pH sensor for microenvironments. Sensors, 23, 8865. doi: 10.3390/s23218865 Journal - Research Article

McIntyre, S. M., Ennis, C., & Garden, A. L. (2023). A computational investigation into the hydrogenation of NO on water ice surfaces to rationalize the NO:HNO:NOH disparity in space. ACS Earth & Space Chemistry, 7(6), 1181-1268. doi: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.2c00391 Journal - Research Article

2024

Journal - Research Article

2023

Journal - Research Article

Francis, T. A., Maynard-Casely, H. E., Cable, M. L., Hodyss, R., & Ennis, C. (2023). Simulation of cocrystal formation in planetary atmospheres: The C₆H₆:C₂H₂ cocrystal produced by gas deposition. Journal of Physical Chemistry A. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpca.2c08791

2022

Journal - Research Article

Boer, S. A., Conte, L., Tarzia, A., Huxley, M. T., Gardiner, M. G., Appadoo, D. R. T., Ennis, C., … White, N. G. (2022). Water sorption controls extreme single-crystal-to-single-crystal molecular reorganization in hydrogen bonded organic frameworks. Chemistry: A European Journal, 28, e202201929. doi: 10.1002/chem.202201929

Ennis, C., Appadoo, D. R. T., Boer, S. A., & White, N. G. (2022). Vibrational mode analysis of hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs): Synchrotron infrared studies. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 24, 10784-10797. doi: 10.1039/d2cp00796g

Angeloski, A., Price, J. R., Ennis, C., Smith, K., McDonagh, A. M., Dowd, A., … Bhadbhade, M. (2022). Thermosalience revealed on the atomic scale: Rapid synchrotron techniques uncover molecular motion preceding crystal jumping. Crystal Growth & Design, 22, 1951-1959. doi: 10.1021/acs.cgd.1c01495

Faville, S. C., Harris-Handscomb, K., Harker, O., Mattison, S., Tamorite, H., Bristowe, J., Daly, D., Ege, R., He, H., Jones, J., McCorkindale, A., Mei, K., Monson, A., Moree, L., Perkovic, F., Rickerby, G., Robinson, J., Rudkin, F., Whibley, L., Worthington, R., Ennis, C., de la Harpe, S., Brind, T., Hopkins, A., Winefield, K., … Vernall, A. J. (2022). Open synthesis network research in an undergraduate laboratory: Development of benzoxazole amide derivatives against leishmania parasite. Journal of Chemical Education, 99, 1682-1690. doi: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.1c01213

Maynard-Casely, H. E., Yevstigneyev, N. S., Duyker, S. G., & Ennis, C. (2022). The crystal structure, thermal expansion and far-IR spectrum of propanal (CH₃CH₂CHO) determined using powder X-ray diffraction, neutron scattering, periodic DFT and synchrotron techniques. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 24, 122-128. doi: 10.1039/d1cp04477j

2021

Journal - Research Article

Ennis, C., Tay, A. C. Y., Falconer, J. L., Lee, S. J., & Meledandri, C. J. (2021). Nanoscale Cu(II) MOFs formed via microemulsion: Vibrational mode characterization performed using a combined FTIR, synchrotron Far-IR, and periodic DFT approach. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 125, 20426-20438. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.1c06227

Smith, J. N., Ennis, C., & Lucas, N. T. (2021). Rigid, biconical hydrogen-bonded dimers that strongly encapsulate cationic guests in solution and the solid state. Chemical Science, 12, 11858-11863. doi: 10.1039/d1sc01802g

2020

Journal - Research Article

Lippitt, E. M. L., Ennis, C., Moratti, S. C., & Hanton, L. R. (2020). Subtle influences of a flexible tecton on an R²₂(8) carboxyl dimer synthon: From molecular threading to 2D→3D interpenetration. Crystal Growth & Design, 20, 7805-7821. doi: 10.1021/acs.cgd.0c01104

Graf, W. F., Pearson, J. R., Appadoo, D. R. T., Robertson, E. G., & Ennis, C. (2020). Synchrotron far-infrared spectra for the characterisation of molecular crystals of forensic interest: Amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDA, MDMA and substituted methcathinones. Vibrational Spectroscopy, 110, 103115. doi: 10.1016/j.vibspec.2020.103115

Ennis, C., Cable, M. L., Hodyss, R., & Maynard-Casely, H. E. (2020). Mixed hydrocarbon and cyanide ice compositions for Titan's atmospheric aerosols: A ternary-phase co-crystal predicted by density functional theory. ACS Earth & Space Chemistry, 4, 1195-1200. doi: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.0c00130

Graf, W. F., Pearson, J. R., Appadoo, D. R. T., Robertson, E. G., & Ennis, C. (2020). The prediction of far-infrared spectra for molecular crystals of forensic interest: Phenylethylamine, ephedrine & pseudoephedrine. Forensic Chemistry, 17, 100204. doi: 10.1016/j.forc.2019.100204

Journal - Research Other

Brand, H. E. A., Gu, Q., Kimpton, J. A., Auchettl, R., & Ennis, C. (2020). Crystal structure of propionitrile (CH₃CH₂CN) determined using synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction. Journal of Synchrotron Radiation, 27, 212-216. doi: 10.1107/S1600577519015911

2018

Journal - Research Article

Ruzi, M., Auchettl, R., Ennis, C., Appadoo, D. R. T., & Robertson, E. G. (2018). Terahertz and mid-infrared spectra of cold formic acid aerosol particles. ACS Earth & Space Chemistry, 2, 1011-1021. doi: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.8b00085

Ennis, C., Auchettl, R., Appadoo, D. R. T., & Robertson, E. G. (2018). The prediction of far-infrared spectra for planetary nitrile ices using periodic density functional theory with comparison to thin film experiments. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 20(36), 23593-23605. doi: 10.1039/c8cp04219e

Auchettl, R., Ruzi, M., Appadoo, D. R. T., Robertson, E. G., & Ennis, C. (2018). Binary-phase acetonitrile and water aerosols: Infrared studies and theoretical simulation at titan atmosphere conditions. ACS Earth & Space Chemistry, 2(8), 811-820. doi: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.8b00059

2017

Journal - Research Article

Ruzi, M., Ennis, C., & Robertson, E. G. (2017). Spectral curve fitting of dielectric constants. AIP Advances, 7(1), 015042. doi: 10.1063/1.4975398

Ennis, C., Auchettl, R., Appadoo, D. R. T., & Robertson, E. G. (2017). Density functional theory for prediction of far-infrared vibrational frequencies: Molecular crystals of astrophysical interest. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 471(4), 4265-4274. doi: 10.1093/MNRAS/STX1736

Ennis, C., Auchettl, R., Ruzi, M., & Robertson, E. G. (2017). Infrared characterisation of acetonitrile and propionitrile aerosols under Titan's atmospheric conditions. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 19(4), 2915-2925. doi: 10.1039/c6cp08110j

2014

Journal - Research Article

Bennett, C. J., Ennis, C. P., & Kaiser, R. I. (2014). Implantation of energetic D⁺ions into carbon dioxide ices and implications for our solar system: Formation of D₂O and D₂CO₃. Astrophysical Journal, 794(1), 57. doi: 10.1088/0004-637X/794/1/57

Bennett, C. J., Ennis, C. P., & Kaiser, R. I. (2014). Experimental studies on the formation of D₂O and D₂O₂ by implantation of energetic D⁺ions into oxygen ices. Astrophysical Journal, 782(2), 63. doi: 10.1088/0004-637X/782/2/63

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Kimber, H. J., Ennis, C. P., & Price, S. D. (2014). Single and double addition of oxygen atoms to propyne on surfaces at low temperatures. Faraday Discussions, 168, (pp. 167-184). doi: 10.1039/c3fd00130j

Plathe, R., Appadoo, D., & Ennis, C. (2014). New laser applications on the THz/FarIR beamline at the Australian synchrotron. Proceedings of the 39th International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz waves (IRMMW-THz). IEEE. doi: 10.1109/IRMMW-THz.2014.6956415

2013

Journal - Research Article

Kim, Y. S., Ennis, C., & Kim, S. J. (2013). Simulating the 3.4-micron feature of Titan's haze. Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society, 34(3), 759-762. doi: 10.5012/bkcs.2013.34.3.759

2012

Journal - Research Article

Ennis, C., & Kaiser, R. I. (2012). On the formation of ozone in solar system oxygen ices exposed to heavy ions. Astrophysical Journal, 745(2), 103. doi: 10.1088/0004-637X/745/2/103

2011

Journal - Research Article

Ennis, C., Bennett, C. J., Jones, B. M., & Kaiser, R. I. (2011). Formation of D₂-water and D₂-carbonic acid in oxygen-rich solar system ices via D⁺₂ irradiation. Astrophysical Journal, 733(2), 79. doi: 10.1088/0004-637X/733/2/79

Ennis, C. P., Bennett, C. J., & Kaiser, R. I. (2011). On the formation of ozone in oxygen-rich solar system ices via ionizing radiation. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 13(20), 9469-9482. doi: 10.1039/c1cp20434c

Ennis, C., Yuan, H., Sibener, S. J., & Kaiser, R. I. (2011). On the chemical processing of hydrocarbon surfaces by fast oxygen ions. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 13(39), 17870-17884. doi: 10.1039/c1cp21800j

2010

Journal - Research Article

Ennis, C. P., & Kaiser, R. I. (2010). Mechanistical studies on the electron-induced degradation of polymers: Polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, and polystyrene. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 12(45), 14884-14901. doi: 10.1039/c0cp00493f

Ennis, C. P., & Kaiser, R. I. (2010). Mechanistical studies on the electron-induced degradation of polymethylmethacrylate and Kapton. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 12(45), 14902-14915. doi: 10.1039/c0cp01130d

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Kaiser, R. I., Maksyutenko, P., Ennis, C., Zhang, F., Gu, X., Krishtal, S. P., … Ahmed, M. (2010). Untangling the chemical evolution of Titan's atmosphere and surface: From homogeneous to heterogeneous chemistry. Faraday Discussions, 147, (pp. 429-478). doi: 10.1039/c003599h

2009

Journal - Research Other

Ennis, C., Lane, J. R., Kjaergaard, H. G., & McKinley, A. J. (2009). Identification of the water amidogen radical complex [Communication]. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 131(4), 1358-1359. doi: 10.1021/ja808109m

2004

Journal - Research Article

Quickenden, T. I., Ennis, C. P., & Creamer, J. I. (2004). The forensic use of luminol chemiluminescence to detect traces of blood inside motor vehicles. Luminescence, 19(5), 271-277. doi: 10.1002/bio.780