Chemical Characterization Techniques |
Thermogravimetric and Differential Thermal Analyzer |
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Differential Scaning Calorimeter |
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High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Basic |
![]() There are three main types of chromatography, categorized by the mobile phase type: gas (GC), liquid (LC), supercritical fluid (SFC). The majority of the HPLC separations are done with Reversed Phase separation. In Reversed-phase chromatography (RPC) separations organic molecules are separated based on their degree of hydrophobicity. There is a correlation between the degree of lipophylicity and retention in the column. Uses hydrophobic packings phases bonded to silica or neutral polymeric beads. Types of Detectors: - UV - Ultraviolet light (Absorbance detector: waters 5487 with double λ) - MS - Mass Spec (Electrospray is the ionization techniques) WATERS ZQ *Source: Zspray Under atmospheric pressure it has the ability to analyze polar molecules which could be positive or negative charged in solution. Only for soluble samples. *Mass analyzer: quadrupole High reproducibility and resolution (∆m=0.01 uma) *Molecular weight operating range, up to 4000(m/z) |
Langmuir trough KSV 300 |
![]() LB technique is one of the most promising techniques to prepare thin films as it enables (1) a precise control of the monolayer thickness; (2) homogeneous deposition of the monolayer over large areas and (3) possibility to make multilayer structures with varying layer composition. The first step for the preparation of a LB film is the spreading of an organic solution of an amphiphile on the water surface. As the solvent is evaporated a monolayer of the amphiphilic molecules is formed on the water surface. The monolayer is compressed within two barriers. This gives rise to ordered 2D structures on the surface of water called Langmuir films. The Langmuir film is transferred onto a solid substrate by dipping the substrate up and down through the monolayer. After each dipping cycle two monolayers are transferred from the water surface to the substrate leading to multilayer thin films. |
Langmuir trough Nima 702BAM |
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Potentiostat / Galvanostat Autolab PGSTAT 12 |
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Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance (EQCM) CH Instruments, 400 Model |
The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is a variant of acoustic wave microsensors that are capable of ultrasensitive mass measurements. Under favorable conditions, a typical QCM can measure a mass change of 0.1-1 ng/cm2. QCM oscillates in a mechanically resonant shear mode under the influence of a high frequency AC electric field which is applied across the thickness of the crystal. QCM and the combination of QCM with electrochemistry (EQCM) have been widely employed for the determination of metals deposited onto the crystal, studies of ion-transport processes in polymer films, biosensor developments, and investigations of the kinetics of adsorption/desorption of adsorbate molecules. In EQCM experiments, the measurements of the various electrochemical parameters, such as potential, current and charge at the working electrode, and the acquisition of the corresponding frequency change, are conducted simultaneously. |
Vertical laminar air flow cabinet Model V70 from Telstar |
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Spin coater, model KW-4a, Chemat technology |
![]() It has a two stage spin process; this allows dispensing at low speeds and homogenizing the coating at high speed. Stage 1:500-2,500 rpm (2-18 Seconds) Stage 2: 1,000-8,000 rpm (3-60 Seconds) Several sample chucks are available to hold substrates from sizes ranging from 5x5 to 30x30 mm2. ![]() It has a programmable module to store multiple recipes. Acceleration and speed can be defined at different steps for each coating process. The coater has an automatic lid that covers the substrate and creates a solvent-saturated atmosphere; this allows the use of solvents with very high vapor pressure, like chloroform that, otherwise, would evaporate too fast resulting in inhomogeneous films. |
Fourier Transformation-Infrared Spectrometer NICOLET 5700 (Thermo Electron Corporation) |
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Layer by Layer |
![]() This instrument is placed in the clean room, inside a cabinet in order to limit the evaporation of solvents. |
Molecular thermal evaporator. |
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Metals thermal evaporator |
![]() Mainly used for the preparation of the anode/cathode on OLEDs and solar cells. It is a very precise tool for the evaporation of materials with high sublimation temperature. Thickness is monitored with an Edwards FTM7 film thickness monitor. |
Surface treatment and cleaning of the surfaces by plasma |
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Brewster angle microscope |
EP3-BAM from nanofilm is composed of a laser with wavelength 532nm, polarizers, shutter, 10x objective with focus scanner, analyzer, and CCD camera. Precise control of the angle and work height is achieved with computer controlled software. The whole setup is assembled inside a closed cabinet. The Nima Langmuir trough is used to study the morphology of monolayers at different surface pressures with different subphase composition with a lateral resolution of 500 nm. |
Physical Characterization Techniques |
SQUID magnetometer, model Quantum Design MPMS-XL-5 |
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SQUID magnetometer, model Quantum Design MPMS-XL-7 |
![]() Main characteristics: Maximum Sample Size: 9 mm Field Uniformity: 0.01% over 4 cm Temperature Range: 1.9-400 K Magnetic field: ± 7.0 Tesla |
Physical properties measurement system |
![]() -AC/DC susceptibily and magnetization measurements by using applied fields up to +\- 9 T (1.9-400 K) - AC/DC resistivity measurements by using applied fields up to +\- 9 T (0.35 - 400 K) - Heat Capacity measurements by using applied fields up to +\- 9 T (0.35 - 400 K) - Thermal transport measurements by using applied fields up to +\- 9 T (1.9 - 400 K) - Torque magnetometry measurements by using applied fields up to +\- 9 T (1.9 - 400 K) |
Profilometer Ambios XP1 |
![]() Sample Stage Diameter:140mm Scan Length Range: 30mm maximum Sample Thickness: 20mm maximum Vertical Resolution: 1Å at 10µm, 15Å at 100µm, 62Å at 400µm Vertical Range: 400µm maximum Magnification: 100X fixed objective with and attached CCD camera. Stylus Tip Radius 2.0 microns Stylus Force Range .05-10mg (programmable) Scan Filtering Low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and adjustable filter The software performs calculation of surface roughness (Ra, Rq, Rp, Rv, Rt, Rz). |
X and Q band EPR spectrometer with additional Pulsed X-band, Model Bruker ELEXYS E580 |
![]() The pulsed X-Band is equipped with a TWT amplifier. It is able to perform between 0.7 ns to 15 µs pulses width. |
Mossbauer Spectrometer. |
![]() γ-Rays are provided by a57Co(Rh) source. |
Powder X-ray diffractometer |
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X-Ray Diffractometer. |
![]() Mo and Cu co-mounted Enhance X-ray source Sapphire CCD detector Four circle Kappa Geometry X-ray Goniometer Cryojet temperature controller (Operating Temperature Range between 100 to 400 K). |
Measure equipment |
Several instruments are used to measure and characterize devices produced in the lab: - Keithley source meters and picoampmeters with Si photodiode detector, allows a very precise way to measure light emitting devices. - A four channel oscilloscope, Tecktronix TB2024B. - A multichannel modular remote-controlled system for the signal generation and simultaneous measure of data through 16 channels. - In-house developed software is used for the control of these electronic devices. |
Molecular Nanomagnetism Laboratory |
Magneto-electroluminiscence (MEL) and magneto-transport equipment |
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Kerr Magnetometer |
![]() The polarization light rotation induced by magnetic field could be measured in longitudinal and polar geometries. With applied magnetic field ranging up to+/- 380 mT in longitudinal and +/- 160 mT in polar configuration. In transverse geometry the magnetization give us information about the reflectivity changes of the samples. |
Attocube Low Temperature Magnetic Force Microscope (LT-MFM) and Low Temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscope (LT-STM) |
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Cervantes Fullmode Scanning Probe Microscope (Nanotec Electrónica) |
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Nanoscope IVa Multimode Scanning Probe Microscope (Bruker, former Veeco) |
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NIKON Eclipse LV-100 Optical microscope |
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Ramé-hart Model 200 Standard Goniometer with Dropimage Standard v2.3 equiped with an automated dispensing system |
![]() The DROPimage Standard software measures contact angle and includes a suite of surface energy tools including: the Acid-Base Tool, the Surface Energy Tool, the Work of Adhesion Tool, Zisman's Plot Tool, the Solid-Liquid-Liquid Surface Energy Tool, and the One-Liquid SE Tool. |
GES5E Variable Angle Spectroscopic Ellipsometer |
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