Critical Repair and Upgrade of Infrared Microspectroscopy System at the Electrochemical Technology Centre

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The Infrared (IR) microspectroscopy system was purchased in 2007 and installed at the Electrochemical Technology Centre (ETC) of the University of Guelph (UoG). It includes: (i) a Nicolet Nexus 870 FT-IR spectrophotometer, (ii) a PM-IRRAS Module for Nicolet Nexus 870, (iii) a Continuum FT-IR Microscope, (iv) a diamond attenuated total internal reflection (ATR) accessory, and (v) an IR purge gas generator. The IR microspectroscopy system has been configured to characterize various materials and interfaces, including solid-solution and electrochemical interfaces. It provides several advanced spectroscopic techniques such as localized ATR spectroscopy, photon polarization infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM IRRAS), subtractively normalized interfacial Fourier transform spectroscopy (SNIFTIRS), and surface enhanced infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS). The IR microspectroscopy facility has been extensively used over the last 14 years. Although the IR microscope, ATR, and gas generator continue to function very well, the FT-IR spectrophotometer and PM-IRRAS Module have reached the limits of their lifespans and are dysfunctional. As the suppliers and associated servicing for the 870 FT-IR spectrophotometer and PM-IRRAS Module for the Nicolet Nexus 870 have been discontinued, it is necessary for us to replace them with the new Nicolet iS50R FT-IR spectrophotometer and its advanced PM-IRRAS Module, which incorporate the latest electronic and digital technology for advanced continuous scan, step-scan, and dual-channel applications. The proposed critical upgrade will enable a completely functioning system that is urgently required to support a number of NSERC funded research programs at UoG. In particular, the innovative research programs of the applicant (Professor A. Chen) and co-applicants (Professor L. Chen, J.R. Dutcher and J. Lipkowski), and the major users (Professor F.-I. Auzanneau, H. Li, E. Pensini and Dr. Q. Wang). The IR microspectroscopy system is a unique research facility at UoG and this region. It is located at the ETC, and is easily accessible by students and researchers on campus and across this region. The Manager of the ETC will continue to maintain the facility and to provide hands-on training. All trained students, postdoctoral fellows, and research associates will run their samples and analyze the spectra. It is anticipated that the upgraded IR microspectroscopy system will be in operation every day for over 180 hours per month by the research teams of the applicant, co-applicants and major users alone. Additional time will be required by users from the Departments of Chemistry and Physics, and the School of Engineering. It is essential for student training and will facilitate further regional, national, and international collaborations toward the development of advanced clean technologies to address increasingly critical energy, environmental, and health issues.