Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy
An IR spectrometer detects frequencies of infrared light absorbed by a molecule. In IR Spectroscopy, we can study and identify chemical substances in solids, liquids, and gases.
The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department utilizes five Bruker Alpha FT-IR spectrometers using Opus 6.5 software. In additional, students and faculty can access a Perkin Elmer FT-IR spectrometer Spectrum 100 using Spectrum software.
Ultraviolet/Visible (UV/Vis) Spectrophotometry
The UV-Vis spectrophotometer measures the amount of ultraviolet (UV) and visible light that is absorbed by the sample.
UV-Vis spectroscopy quantifies compounds in various samples. It can be used for concentration measurements, observing structural changes in molecules and monitoring reaction kinetics.
The department's Perkin Elmer Lambda 35 spectrophotometer is a double beam instrument with deuterium and tungsten lamps providing a wavelength range of 190 – 1100nm. Variable bandwidths from 0.5 – 4 nm are possible.
We also utilize four Varian Cary50 UV/vis spectrophotometers (190 – 1100 nm wavelength range) that use the Cary Win UV 55.0 software.
Raman Spectroscopy
A Raman spectrometer determines the vibrational modes of molecules. It is used in chemistry to provide a fingerprint by which molecules can be identified.
The department's PeakSeeker Raman Spectrometer has an excitation wavelength of 785 nm and a spectral range of 200 to 3000 cm-1.
Luminescence Spectroscopy
A luminescence spectrometer measures the emission of light from a sample. It can be used to characterize the electronic properties of molecules.
The department's Perkin Elmer LS 50B Luminescence Spectrometer has a pulsed high pressure Xenon lamp and is capable of both excitation (200-800 nm) and emission (200 – 900 nm) scans.
Atomic Spectroscopy
The Atomic Absorbance Spectrometer measures the concentration of chemical elements in a sample.
The department's Thermo Scientific iCE 3000 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer is equipped with a flame atomizer for elemental analysis. It is capable of performing both atomic absorption and atomic emission measurements.