MRI: Acquisition of a Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer - FTIR Instrumentation for Undergraduate Research Projects

在主要研究仪器(MRI)计划的支持下，惠灵耶稣会大学化学系将获得一台集成的热重分析仪-傅立叶变换红外(TGA/FTIR)仪器。该设备将加强若干领域的研究，包括a)金属无机络合物的热分解以形成用于光伏应用的活性硫化物；b)VOC氧化催化剂的失活和再生；以及c)二氧化碳的浓缩和封存。TGA/FTIR还将用于仪器分析和无机实验室课程。这一工具还将加强邻近女子预科高中学生的教育和研究培训。将热重分析与傅里叶变换红外光谱相结合，形成了一种强大的分析工具，可用于表征热分解过程和气体在固体上的吸附。该仪器提供准确的固体重量损失或重量增加数据，同时测量产品气体的浓度，以提供工艺评估所需的动力学数据。这些研究将有助于确定用于发电的先进材料，并将扩大我们在开发减少污染的工艺方面的科学知识。

With support from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Wheeling Jesuit University will acquire an integrated thermal gravimetric analyzer - Fourier transform infrared (TGA/FTIR) instrument. This equipment will enhance research in a number of areas including a) the thermal decomposition of metal inorganic complexes to form active sulfides for photovoltaic applications; b) the deactivation and regeneration of VOC oxidation catalysts; and c) the concentration and sequestration of carbon dioxide. The TGA/FTIR will also be used in the instrumental analysis and inorganic laboratory courses. This instrument will also enhance the educational and research training of students at a neighboring female preparatory high school. Integrating the TGA with FTIR spectroscopy results in a powerful analytical tool for characterizing thermal decomposition processes and the adsorption of gases on solids. The instrument provides accurate weight loss or weight gain data of solids while simultaneously measuring the concentrations of the product gases to provide kinetic data needed for process evaluation. These studies will help to identify advanced materials for energy generation and will expand our scientific knowledge for developing processes for pollution abatement.