CRIF:MU Acquisition of Particle Sizing and Characterization Instrumentation for Chemistry Research and Education

University Of Iowa, Iowa City IA

Investigators

Abstract

With this award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities: Multi User (CRIF:MU) program, the Chemistry Department at the University of Iowa will acquire a suite of instruments to determine particle size and to characterize the surface and properties of small particles. The requested equipment includes a dynamic light scattering instrument, a scanning mobility particle sizer, an aerodynamic particle sizer, an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer and a BET surface science area analyzer. This instrumentation will be used in research projects including 1) synthesis and applications for nanocrystalline zeolites; 2) atmospheric and environmental chemistry of particles; 3) new synthetic routes to nanostructured inorganic materials; 4) particle surface modifications; 5) applications of quantum dots in biosensing, and, 6) development of new experiments in the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. The set of instruments will be incorporated into the Department of Chemistry outreach programs that bring faculty and students from regional undergraduate institutions to the University of Iowa for hands-on workshops involving advanced instrumentation not available at their home institutions.