Chemical/Nano-Characterization Laboratory

The chemical/nano-characterization laboratory was set up to support UDRI project work, but is also available as a testing service to academia, government and industry customers looking for high-quality chemical/nano-characterization data.

We can provide the following types of chemical/materials characterization:

• Chemical structure and purity verification (HPLC and HPLC/mass spec)
• Nanoparticle size/size dispersion, molecular weight and surface charge (diffusive light scattering)
• Spectroscopic properties  (fluorescence, UV/Vis and FTIR)
• Electrochemical properties (cyclic voltammetry, EIS, etc.)

Please contact Jay Johnson with your questions about our analysis capabilities.

Instrument Capabilities

	High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Model: Waters Acquity SQD System Ultraperformance LC (UPLC) Normal phase, reverse phase or GPC Single quad mass detection and/or photo diode array detection Binary gradient capability Mass range : 200-2000 m/z
	Particle Size/Molecular Weight/Charge Analysis-Diffusive Light Scattering (DLS) Model: Malvern Zetasizer Nano – ZS                                                            Particle size range: 0.6 to 6.0 um Particle size range for zeta potential (charge): 5 nm to 10 um Molecular weight range: 1000 to 2 x 107 Daltons Existing accessories: Flow-through cell for HPLC detection; titrator for evaluating effects of additives on zeta potential
	Spectroscopic Analysis-Fluorescence Model: Horiba Jobin Yvon Fluoromax-4 Excitation range: 200-950 nm Emission range: 200-950 nm Scan speed: 80 nm/s Signal-to-noise ratio: 3000:1 Existing Accessories: Programmable sample / heater cooler; sample injection port for kinetic studies; solid sample holder for characterizing thin films, powders, pellets, paper, fibers or coated microscope slides
	Spectroscopic Analysis- FTIR Model: Nicolet 4700 Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer Wavelength range: 400 to 4000 cm-1 Capable of measuring solid, liquid, and gas samples Existing accessories: Germanium ATR (for carbon black / carbon nanofiber filled samples); diamond ATR (unheated and heated; hot stage up to 200 °C); modular design capable of holding many different sample geometries and cells. Can be interfaced with other instruments and upgraded depending upon researcher needs.
	Spectroscopic Analysis- Ultraviolet/Visible Model: Nicolet Evolution 600 Ultraviolet/Visible Wavelength range: 190 to 900 nm Can handle solids and liquids in transmission mode Can handle solids in diffuse reflection mode
	Electrochemical Analysis- Potentiostat, Galvanostat and Zero Resistance Ammeter Model: Gamry Reference 600 Capabilities include: 190 to 900 nm Cyclic voltammetry Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy Differential pulse voltammetry Square wave voltammetry