Powder X-ray Diffraction Instrumentation for Undergraduate Research and Research Training

在主要研究仪器（MRI）计划的支持下，康涅狄格学院化学系将获得一台粉末X射线衍射仪，用于本科研究和研究培训。该设备将加强涉及具有层状和隧道结构的微孔锰氧化物化学的研究。 这些氧化锰项目包括：a）层状和隧道材料的非水溶胶-凝胶合成; B）薄膜的溶胶-凝胶制备; c）气凝胶的溶胶-凝胶制备; d）作为具有多种层间阳离子的层状材料前体的氧化锰胶体的室温合成; e）胶体材料的溶剂热反应; f）胶体膜的电化学研究;和g）控制胶体中Mn的价态。 学院还将在高级实验室课程中实施X射线衍射实验。 X射线衍射仪可以精确测量分子的完整三维结构，包括键距和角度，并提供有关分子相对于相邻分子的空间排列的准确信息。 这些研究将对材料化学产生重大影响。

With support from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Connecticut College will acquire a powder X-ray diffractometer for undergraduate research and research training. This equipment will enhance research studies involving the chemistry of microporous manganese oxides with layered and tunneled structures. These manganese oxide projects include a) nonaqueous sol-gel syntheses of layered and tunneled materials; b) sol-gel preparation of thin films; c) sol-gel preparation of aerogels; d) room temperature synthesis of manganese oxide colloids as precursors to layered materials with a wide variety of interlayer cations; e) solventothermal reactions of colloidal materials; f) electrochemical studies of colloidal films; and g) control of Mn valency in colloids. Faculty will also implement X-ray diffraction experiments in upper level laboratory courses. The X-ray diffractometer allows accurate and precise measurements of the full three dimensional structure of a molecule, including bond distances and angles, and it provides accurate information about the spatial arrangement of the molecule relative to the neighboring molecules. These studies will have a strong impact in materials chemistry.