Spectroscopy and Kinetics Unit
THE UNIT IN 2017
The Spectroscopy and Kinetics Unit provides ICIQ researchers with technical support in different spectroscopic techniques as well as in kinetic reaction mechanistic studies. The Unit also gives support in monitoring reactions and fitting of the kinetic data.
In 2017, we acquired a new UV-vis specrtrophotometer (Cary 60 from Agilent), that allows irradiating the sample while measuring. The main featrures of this new device are the following:
- Xenon pulse lamp source. Eliminates photobleaching while allowing the highest quality data to be collected over the complete UV-Vis range (190-1100nm).
- Room light immunity. Unique optical design allows accurate sample measurement even with the sample lid open, and allows irradiation of the sample while measuring.
- Fast scan: 24,000 nm/min maximum scan rate. Allows complete spectral range scanning in under 3 seconds, ideal for fast kinetics or high sample throughput.
- Photometric range up to 4 Abs. Permits the analysis of highly turbid solutions and a wide range of sample concentrations.
The Unit also incorporated in 2017 an accessory to measure at low temperature (down to -30ºC) and stir at the same time in the fluorimeter.
We also setup a cryostopped flow system to freeze samples at short reaction times.
The Unit has also developed a system involving an integrating sphere in the NIR spectrometer and proper data treatment to obtain semiconductors band-gap data from reflectance spectra.
As projects to improve the use of different devices in the lab, we should highlight the following:
- Compare the optical paths in the different FTIR spectrometers we have (is-50, ReactIR, Cary, Alpha)
- Linear range definition for the UV-Vis spectrometers in the Unit
- Experimental determination of the minimal heat flow measured in the calorimeter
- Develop a methodology to measure high absorbances in the NIR spectrometer.