EAGER: Development of a Nanoparticle NMR Toolbox for Evaluating Complex Environmental Mixtures

在这个由化学系环境化学科学计划资助的项目中，爱荷华大学的Sarah Larson教授开发了一个核磁共振波谱工具箱，用于研究复杂的环境混合物。研究包括预测非常小的颗粒(纳米颗粒)在环境中的命运和运输，以及制备具有特定特性的纳米材料，以尽量减少对环境和/或生物的负面影响。这些结果对碳循环、可持续性和污染物修复等关键领域具有广泛的影响。通过斯隆模范辅导中心和本科生研究体验计划等项目，招募和指导本科生参与这一项目，其中一些本科生的代表性不足。这些研究的重点是验证纳米粒子核磁共振方法是研究与环境相关的复杂混合物的重要和有价值的工具。该工具箱包括固体核磁共振、高分辨率魔角旋转(HRMAS)和脉冲场梯度(PFG)核磁共振等核磁共振方法。该项目展示了纳米粒子核磁共振工具箱在研究工程纳米材料和天然胶体的环境界面方面的实用性，并建立了使用纳米粒子启用的核磁共振光谱来选择性地检测复杂混合物中的物种。开发纳米粒子核磁共振工具箱是为了阐明分子水平的细节并提高研究复杂混合物(如溶解有机物(DOM))与纳米材料相互作用的选择性。从核磁共振工具箱获得的信息可以用来预测纳米粒子在自然系统中的命运和运输，并设计出具有所需性质的纳米材料。这项工作的进一步影响是为爱荷华大学流动博物馆和科学、技术、教育和数学(STEM)职业拓展开发了一个关于环境水研究的展览，包括为高中生提供实习机会。参观者也将在实验室接受接待。

In this project, funded by the Environmental Chemical Sciences Program in the Chemistry Division, Professor Sarah Larson of the University of Iowa develops a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR) toolbox to investigate complex environmental mixtures. Studies include prediction of the fate and transport of very small particles (nanoparticles) in the environment and the preparation of nanomaterials with specific characteristics to minimize negative environmental and/or biological impacts. These results have broad implications for critical areas such as carbon cycling, sustainability, and remediation of pollutants. Undergraduate students, some of whom are underrepresented, are recruited and mentored to participate in this project through programs such as the Sloan Center for Exemplary Mentoring and the Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program. The studies focus on validating nanoparticle nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods as an important and valuable tool for investigating complex mixtures of environmental relevance. The toolbox includes NMR methods such as solid state NMR, high resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS), and pulse field gradient (PFG) NMR. The project demonstrates the utility of the nanoparticle NMR toolbox for studying environmental interfaces of engineered nanomaterials and natural colloids and establishes the use of nanoparticle-enabled NMR spectroscopy to selectively detect species in complex mixtures. The nanoparticle NMR toolbox is developed to elucidate molecular level details and to improve selectivity for studies of the interactions of complex mixtures, such as dissolved organic matter (DOM), with nanomaterials. The information obtained from the NMR toolbox may be used to predict the fate and transport of nanoparticles in natural systems and to engineer nanomaterials with desired properties. Further impact of this work is in developing an exhibit on environmental water research for the University of Iowa Mobile Museum and for Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics (STEM) career outreach including internships for high school students. Visitors will also be hosted at the laboratory.