Integrating SPM into research activities and chemistry laboratories for undergraduates

Jayne C. Garno

Department of ChemistryLouisiana State University

Baton Rouge, LA

Because SPM instruments are becoming increasingly important and valuable for studying surface reactions and molecular properties

To give students a “hands-on” experience with molecules and nanoscience

Because many top universities have already demonstrated success with undergrad labs using SPM..

For the “enthusiasm” factor – to help with undergraduate retention in a challenging science curriculum..

To modernize our long-outdated teaching laboratories.. To provide our students with state-of-the-art technology

Because there is an emerging need for workers with SPM skills

Why introduce SPM in the undergraduate curriculum?

LSU Chem 3493, Spring 2007

LSU Chem 3493, Spring 2007

Basic Concepts for SPM laboratories

Instrument operating principle of AFM and/or STM

Overview of forces that can be measured and mapped using SPM

(ie magnetic, electronic, adhesive, frictional forces)

Principle of force-distance measurements

Views of molecularly resolved lattices such as Au(111),

mica(0001), self-assembled monolayers, graphite.

Application of AFM for surface fabrication: nanografting with

SAMs

Basic digital image processing skills with basic samples such as

aluminum foil, nanoparticles, polymer films, latex films. (cursor

profiles, height histograms, roughness measurements.

1 nm

Periodic arrays of polystyrene latex spheres

Chem 3493, Spring 2007

Periodic arrays of polystyrene latex spheres

topography

phase

Chem 3493, Spring 2007

topography

friction

Mickey-Mouse Nanoshaving Experiment

Chem 3493, Spring 2007

undergraduate images

Chem 3493 Physical Chemistry laboratory, Fall 2006

Chem 3493 Physical Chemistry laboratory, Fall 2006

Undergraduate Research Projects

(Chem 2900, Chem 3900, Biol 3999)

Microwave Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles

Nick Flurryundergraduate junior

Chem 3900

topography

phase

2500 nm 1250 nm

2500 nm 1250 nm 500 nm

500 nmdistance (nm)

hei

gh

t (n

m)

02.55.07.510.012.515.017.520.0

0 200 400 1000 1400600 1200800

Lithium battery separators: CelgardTM

Andrew Fulkssenior undergraduate

Chem 3900

Lithium battery separators: CelgardTM

Recycling gold substrates for AFM

Recycled template stripped gold substrates glued on glass

3 X 3 μm2 1 X 1 μm2 500 X 500 nm2

Used gold film on mica(0001) - contaminated

Edugie OmeregebeeSenior undergraduate

Biol 3999

Imaging and Annealing Aluminum Foil

Kai Liuundergraduate junior

AC-mode AFMin Air

(tapping)

Undergraduate research posters!

Undergraduate ResearchersUndergraduate Researchers

Ishaneka Williams Patrick Igbokwe

Lauren Williams Rashonda Dukes

Gretchen Henry

Molly HebertMary Loftus

Undergraduates!Undergraduates!

Ishaneka WilliamsAndrew Fulks

Lauren Williams

Rashonda Dukes Gretchen Henry

Lisa Brown

Clint Bize

Carissa Lanoue

Richard Rucker

Mary Loftus

Lisa Brown

Undergraduates!Undergraduates!

Glenys Castro

Bryan Brown Craig Sabottke

Treva Brown

Nick Flurry

Jayne,

I must mention the excellent work your team of three graduate students did last week with my PCHEM 3493 class.Outstanding and highly professional !

My students learned a lot.  I  believe we did  cover all aspects of AFM and some STM I had wanted.

Thanks to your team, my students were involved at all stations, almost all the time.

Considering that there were 18 students, one can imagine the effort it required to make them interested and busy.

And they were!

The moral of the story is also how important it is to introduce this type of instruments to our undergrads.

The questions they  asked and the experience they have now makes a significant step forward in their education.

We should continue this work and use this experience in the development of our curriculum and present the results  to other scientist/educators .

Thanks to all of you and please tell them they got a BIG  A+.

Dr Kresimir Rupnik

March 19, 2007