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Expert has spent most of his research addressing problems related to catalysis by transition metals and transition metal oxides. His model studies have examined the basic catalytic chemistry of ammonia synthesis, Fischer-Tropsch chemistry, catalytic oxidation, and hydrogen desulfurization chemistry.

In his studies of surface chemistry and heterogeneous catalysis, he uses a variety of surface analytical methods. These include structural tools such as LEED, ion scattering, HREELS, NEXAFS and SEXAFS, and X-ray diffraction. Compositional tools he uses extensively are Auger spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet photoemission (UPS), Rutherford backscattering, and SIMS.

He has had a long-standing interest in the interaction of lasers with solid surfaces. This work has examined mechanisms of laser annealing, laser damage to metals and optical materials, and the use of pulsed lasers to deposit oxide thin films, particularly high temperature superconducting films. Expert has studied the effects of sulfur and other electronegative modifiers on the heterogeneous chemistry of transition metal surfaces.

Expert has a strong interest in the chemistry of iron, both as a catalyst and the mechanisms of corrosion. In addition to basic studies of corrosion mechanisms and inhibition processes, Expert has consulted on numerous specific problems of corrosion of carbon and high alloy steels. Recently, expert and his group have conducted a number of studies on the thermal stabilities and decomposition pathways of various organic corrosion inhibitor molecules. Their interest has been in developing molecular inhibitors for severe service environments on iron and carbon steel surfaces.