Academics

Chemistry Instrumentation


Chromatography and separation of analytes are the most important analytical techniques since samples generally require separation prior to complete analytical analysis. Our abilities to separate liquids in the analytical lab currently includes Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS), Ion Chromatography (IC), Gas Chromatography, and Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). These techniques are described in more detail below. We just completed the purchase of a new LC/MS, and upgraded both our GC and GC/MS capability. Upgrades and additions to these instruments are listed in the ten year purchase plan so that we are able to remain current and expand our analytical capabilities.
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Supercritical Fluid Extraction is a technique that has a very significant environmental impact since the most common extraction fluid is carbon dioxide. SFE is a technique that gives our students a distinct advantage in both industry and academia since most undergraduates are not exposed to this technique at all. SFE is used in the Analytical sequence as a directed experiment as well as in the laboratory project. This technique has been the focus of several Independent Study projects, and with two of our industry partners.

Upgrading the current High Performance Liquid Chromatography will be essential to conduct for analytical separations. The current system has UV/VIS, fluorescence, and amperometric detection systems. HPLC is a key component of many industrial analytical labs, and particularly in the pharmaceuticals industry. The HPLC system was purchased in 1994, and an upgrade of this fundamental liquid chromatography tool will fairly soon become imperative.
The addition of Liquid Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry detection is a tremendous addition to our chromatography capabilities. LC-MS vastly increases the number of compounds that we can separate and identify using a liquid chromatography technique.

Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry is a separation and identification technique that is used extensively in Organic and Analytical Chemistry. The GC-MS has been used in numerous Independent Study projects and many of our collaborative industry projects. The Chemistry Program recently upgraded its GC/MS capability and now has two instruments in the analytical lab. THe second GCMS provides the capability to use the Mass Spec detector separately from the GC.

Ion Chromatography is crucial to separating and detecting aqueous cations and anions. We are currently unable to adequately detect basic anion indicators in aqueous samples, and an Ion Chromatograph would provide this ability. The instrument would be used extensively in the Analytical sequence, Independent Study, and in many industry projects. All projects that probe Environmental issues would benefit, and all industries that discharge waste could use this type of analysis. Industrial and Government labs that perform extensive aqueous analysis would need Ion Chromatography experience.


Surface analysis and atomic spectroscopy are key areas of analytical instrumentation. As the field of Nanotechnology continues to expand, the ability to image at the atomic level becomes more crucial. The Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM) provides tremendous capability in analysis of a variety of surfaces. Along with Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) the surface can be characterized for elemental metal content. These two techniques provide a unique insight into the composition and characteristics of samples at the atomic level. The Chemistry Program plans to expanding its capabilities in these two areas over the next several years to include X-Ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy.

A fundamental and fast growing aspect of analytical analysis is microscopy and our students must be exposed to the latest techniques that Atomic Force Microscopy offers. This technique is also described as Scanning Probe Microscopy or SPM. Analytical microscopy is a tool used for looking at surfaces and the first several atomic layers of a surface. The technique spans all areas of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Biology. The instrumentation has become affordable and rugged enough to be included in virtually every Chemistry lab course. This instrument can provide an atomic picture of almost any surface according to the type of tip that is used on the cantilever portion of the instrument. This would provide the ability to image surfaces without requiring an inert atmosphere the way an electron microscope does. The SPM will be a significant addition to our analytical laboratory, and an extremely useful tool for independent research and industry collaboration. This instrument could also be used directly in the Physics and Engineering labs.

Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry is used for elemental analysis of any liquid sample. ICP/AES is an extremely powerful instrument that is used extensively for environmental analysis, basic aqueous analysis, and routinely in all metals analysis work. Without ICP/AES our laboratory is unable to detect metals at the levels that are required with most methods, including many of the EPA methods that are necessary for environmental analysis. ICP/AES would be used extensively in the analytical sequence and would be extremely valuable to many of our collaborative studies and independent studies. Most industrial and academic labs would assume knowledge of this fundamental elemental analysis tool.


Molecular Spectroscopy is a critical tool for the analytical chemist. Ultraviolet - Visible Spectrophotometry (UV/VIS) is a fundamental tool for identifying functional groups and invaluable for quantifying analytes. Our capability in the area of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR) has grown over the last several years to include two benchtop instruments along with microscopy capability. In addition, we have added Raman Spectroscopy to our growing list of techniques. Raman is complimentary to FTIR and provides many advantages in the types of samples that can be analyzed. Fourier Transform Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (FT-NMR) is perhaps the most significant tool for molecular identification, and our current system provides adequate information for many Organic compounds. A very significant area of upgrade in the next several years will be the addition of a 500MHz FT-NMR system.

The UV/VIS Spectrophotometer was an upgrade of a scanning system that was outdated and failing. This instrument is used extensively throughout the curriculum. Students are introduced to the UV/VIS as freshman, and then use the instrument in Organic, Analytical, Physical, and Independent Study Projects. All of our industry projects have used UV/VIS.

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry is one of the cornerstones of molecular spectroscopy and this instrument is used throughout the curriculum including Organic, Physical, Analytical, and most Independent Study projects. <b>FT-IR</b> has also been used in collaborative industry studies. We currently have three FTIRs. One is housed in the Organic laboratory for quick analysis of products, and the other two are housed the Analytical laboratory. The older system is used exclusively for standard IR analysis while our newest instrument has microscopy capability.


Raman Spectroscopy is complimentary to FTIR, but has the advantage of allowing the use of a variety of sample cells and the analyte can be measured in an aqueous environment. The Raman uses the same optical bench as the FTIR microscope to detect the scattering of the laser signal.

Fourier Transform Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometry is a critical piece of instrumentation for a chemistry program and specifically for molecular spectroscopy. FT-NMR is used from the sophomore year on (with plans to include it in the freshman year), and throughout Independent Study projects and collaborative industry projects. The hands-on use of this instrument will be a distinct advantage for our graduating majors. The 300 MHz instrument will be upgradedd to a 500MHz instrument in the near future.