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

红外(IR)显微光谱系统于2007年购买，并安装在圭尔夫大学(UOG)的电化学技术中心(ETC)。它包括：(I)Nicolet Nexus 870 FT-IR分光光度计，(Ii)用于Nicolet Nexus 870的PM-IRRAS模块，(Iii)连续傅里叶变换红外显微镜，(Iv)钻石衰减全内反射(ATR)附件，以及(V)红外净化气体发生器。红外显微光谱分析系统已被配置用于表征各种材料和界面，包括固溶体界面和电化学界面。它提供了几种先进的光谱技术，如定域ATR光谱、光子偏振红外反射吸收光谱(PM IRRAS)、减色归一化界面傅里叶变换光谱(SNIFTIRS)和表面增强红外反射吸收光谱(SEIRAS)。红外显微光谱分析设备在过去的14年中得到了广泛的使用。虽然红外显微镜、ATR和气体发生器仍然运行良好，但FT-IR分光光度计和PM-IRRAS模块已达到其使用寿命的极限，出现故障。由于Nicolet Nexus 870的870 FT-IR分光光度计和PM-IRRAS模块的供应商和相关服务已经停止，我们有必要用新的Nicolet iS50R FT-IR分光光度计及其先进的PM-IRRAS模块来取代它们，该模块结合了先进的连续扫描、步进扫描和双通道应用的最新电子和数字技术。拟议的关键升级将使一个功能完全正常的系统成为支持UOG由NSERC资助的一些研究项目所迫切需要的系统。特别是申请者(A.Chen教授)和共同申请者(L.Chen教授、J.R.Dancher和J.Lipkowski教授)以及主要用户(F.-I.Auzannau教授、H.Li、E.Pensini和Q.Wang博士)的创新研究计划。红外显微光谱系统是UOG和这一地区独一无二的研究设施。它位于ETC，校园内和整个地区的学生和研究人员都可以很容易地到达。ETC的经理将继续维护该设施并提供实践培训。所有受过培训的学生、博士后研究员和研究助理都将运行他们的样本并分析光谱。预计升级后的红外显微光谱分析系统将由申请者、共同申请者和主要用户的研究团队每天操作超过180个小时。来自化学和物理系以及工程学院的用户将需要额外的时间。它对学生培训至关重要，并将促进进一步的地区、国家和国际合作，以开发先进的清洁技术，以解决日益关键的能源、环境和健康问题。

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.