Facilities

Center for Chemical Dynamics and Nanomaterials Research

Director: Dr. Clemens Burda

Location: Case Western Reserve University

Description: This laser characterization facility hosts a variety of laser equipment and spectroscopic instruments to monitor the electronic and photonic dynamics of materials. For BEES, this equipment is being used to conduct femtosecond-transient absorption (fs-TA) and time-resolved fluorescence measurements to investigate distinct solvation environments in DES.

The femtosecond laser system with fiber oscillator as seed source (Clark, CPA 2001) shown below has a laser pulse duration is 120 fs. Fluorescence up-conversion and UV-vis-NIR pump-probe are the most common measurements on these systems, but time-resolved microscopy imaging and PL spectroscopy are also done routinely.

Deep Eutectic Solvent Transference Number Test Apparatus

Researcher: Sara Jorgenson

Advisor: Dr. Jesse Wainright

Location: Case Western Reserve University

Description: The objective of this project is to obtain the transference numbers of ions in deep eutectic solvents (DESs). A novel Hittorf cell design (front) divides the DES into four sections so that changes in concentration can be observed in each section using UV-Vis Spectroscopy. The redox active species (RAS) is pumped (left) through the carbon felt electrodes to negate mass transfer overpotentials, and it is kept separate from the DES using Nafion membranes so that charge can be passed through the DES while isolating the DES species from the RAS. This research will provide insight into the electrochemical properties of DES-based electrolytes and will quantify the transference numbers of common DESs which have not yet been determined.

Deep Eutectic Solvent Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Researcher: William Dean

Advisor: Dr. Burcu Gurkan

Location: Case Western Reserve University

Description: Deep Eutectic solvents (DES) are a new class of solvents that have many potential applications replacing traditional aqueous and organic solvents. One way to probe the interfacial interactions of a DES, ethaline, is using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). EIS works by measuring the response of an electrochemical system to an applied potential over a set frequency range. Using EIS differential capacitances are determined, giving insight into the macroscopic charge buildup at electrode surfaces.

Magnet and high pressure NMR accessory for Chemagnetics 300 MHz system

Researchers: Dr. Steven Greenbaum, Sahana Das Bhattacharyya

Location: NMR/EPR Lab, Hunter College Physics Department

Description: Unique Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) equipment being used for BEES research include the following:

A Stelar Spinmaster 1T fast Field Cycling Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Relaxometer
- Broadband relaxation data in local fields ranging from ~0.002 – 1 T for investigation of molecular diffusive and rotational motions, and the possible coupling between them.
A High pressure NMR probe
- Hydrostatic pressure as a thermodynamic variable allows the computation of molecular activation volumes. Range: atmospheric to 250 MPa
300MHz Varian NMR Spectrometer
Steller Fast Field Cyclometry NMR Spectrometer
400 MHz Bruker NMR Spectrometer