Department of
Chemistry & Biochemistry
School of Integrated Science and Humanities
Departmental Seminar Announcement
Molecular Analysis at the Nanoscale
Dr. Emile A. Schweikert
Professor
Texas A&M University
The importance of characterizing nanosize particles and domains is widely
recognized. Yet, measurement techniques for molecular assemblies in dimensions
below 50 nm are lagging. Our approach to advance nanoanalysis is based on
secondary ion mass spectrometry, sims, with novel methodology and
instrumentation. Samples are bombarded with a sequence of individual
1,2+
4+
“nanoprojectiles,” specifically 𝐶60
or 𝐴𝑢400
(a nanoparticle of ~1.5 nm in diameter).
The impact of a single nanoprojectile at hypervelocity (~30 km/s) generates
abundant ion emission from a surface volume of 10-15 nm in diameter and ~10 nm
in depth. The ejecta from each impact are mass analyzed and recorded
individually. Thus, the co-emitted ions originate from molecules co-located within
<15 nm. The presentation will describe the custom-built instrumentation, the
methodology for data acquisition and processing and the analysis of nanoscale
domains and particles. Several examples will be discussed: homogeneity test of a
surface of complex composition; characterization of nanoscopic molecular systems;
analysis of individual nanoparticles in size <20 nm.
Date:
Time:
Friday, October 31, 2014
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Academic Health Center 3, AHC3-205 – MMC (Live)
Marine Sciences Building Room 150 (MSB-150) – BBC (via Polycom)
Phone: 305-348-2605
Fax: 305-348-6700
E-mail: chemistry@fiu.edu
http://chemistry.fiu.edu