Achieving very low levels of detection: an improved surface-enhanced raman scattering experiment for the physical chemistry teaching laboratory

Brian G. McMillan

doi:10.1021/acs.jchemed.6b00312

Achieving very low levels of detection

an improved surface-enhanced raman scattering experiment for the physical chemistry teaching laboratory

Brian G. McMillan

Pure And Applied Chemistry

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

3 Citations (Scopus)

92 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This experiment was designed and successfully introduced to complement the nanochemistry taught to undergraduate students in a useful and interesting way. Colloidal Ag nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple, room-temperature method, and the resulting suspension was then used to study the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of methylene blue. The colloid was also characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, and these results were used to help explain some of the observed SERS features. The students looked at the effects of concentration and acquisition time on the measured SERS spectra, and the final part of the experiment was based around using their newly acquired knowledge to investigate the lowest concentration of methylene blue that could be detected. Concentrations of 5 × 10^-10 M were routinely achieved. The combination of UV–visible spectroscopy, SERS, and nanochemistry made for an interesting and thought-provoking laboratory experience.

Original language	English
Number of pages	5
Journal	Journal of Chemical Education
Early online date	5 Aug 2016
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.6b00312
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 5 Aug 2016

Fingerprint

Physical chemistry

Raman scattering

Teaching

chemistry

Methylene Blue

experiment

student

Experiments

Spectroscopy

Students

Colloids

Suspensions

experience

Nanoparticles

Temperature

time

Keywords

analytical Chemistry
laboratory Instruction
raman spectroscopy
physical chemistry
problem solving/decision making
nanotechnology
colloids
hands-on learning/manipulatives
UV-vis spectroscopy
upper-division undergraduate

Cite this

McMillan, B. G. (2016). Achieving very low levels of detection: an improved surface-enhanced raman scattering experiment for the physical chemistry teaching laboratory. Journal of Chemical Education. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.6b00312

McMillan, Brian G. / Achieving very low levels of detection : an improved surface-enhanced raman scattering experiment for the physical chemistry teaching laboratory. In: Journal of Chemical Education. 2016.

@article{395a6431aec04fe5a4b68adb335aa5ae,

title = "Achieving very low levels of detection: an improved surface-enhanced raman scattering experiment for the physical chemistry teaching laboratory",

abstract = "This experiment was designed and successfully introduced to complement the nanochemistry taught to undergraduate students in a useful and interesting way. Colloidal Ag nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple, room-temperature method, and the resulting suspension was then used to study the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of methylene blue. The colloid was also characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, and these results were used to help explain some of the observed SERS features. The students looked at the effects of concentration and acquisition time on the measured SERS spectra, and the final part of the experiment was based around using their newly acquired knowledge to investigate the lowest concentration of methylene blue that could be detected. Concentrations of 5 × 10-10 M were routinely achieved. The combination of UV–visible spectroscopy, SERS, and nanochemistry made for an interesting and thought-provoking laboratory experience.",

keywords = "analytical Chemistry, laboratory Instruction, raman spectroscopy, physical chemistry, problem solving/decision making, nanotechnology, colloids, hands-on learning/manipulatives, UV-vis spectroscopy, upper-division undergraduate",

author = "McMillan, {Brian G.}",

note = "This document is the unedited Author’s version of a Submitted Work that was subsequently accepted for publication in Journal of Chemical Education, copyright {\circledC} American Chemical Society after peer review. To access the final edited and published work see http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.6b00312",

year = "2016",

month = "8",

day = "5",

doi = "10.1021/acs.jchemed.6b00312",

language = "English",

journal = "Journal of Chemical Education",

issn = "0021-9584",

publisher = "American Chemical Society",

}

McMillan, BG 2016, 'Achieving very low levels of detection: an improved surface-enhanced raman scattering experiment for the physical chemistry teaching laboratory', Journal of Chemical Education. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.6b00312

Achieving very low levels of detection : an improved surface-enhanced raman scattering experiment for the physical chemistry teaching laboratory. / McMillan, Brian G.

In: Journal of Chemical Education, 05.08.2016.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

TY - JOUR

T1 - Achieving very low levels of detection

T2 - an improved surface-enhanced raman scattering experiment for the physical chemistry teaching laboratory

AU - McMillan, Brian G.

N1 - This document is the unedited Author’s version of a Submitted Work that was subsequently accepted for publication in Journal of Chemical Education, copyright © American Chemical Society after peer review. To access the final edited and published work see http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.6b00312

PY - 2016/8/5

Y1 - 2016/8/5

N2 - This experiment was designed and successfully introduced to complement the nanochemistry taught to undergraduate students in a useful and interesting way. Colloidal Ag nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple, room-temperature method, and the resulting suspension was then used to study the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of methylene blue. The colloid was also characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, and these results were used to help explain some of the observed SERS features. The students looked at the effects of concentration and acquisition time on the measured SERS spectra, and the final part of the experiment was based around using their newly acquired knowledge to investigate the lowest concentration of methylene blue that could be detected. Concentrations of 5 × 10-10 M were routinely achieved. The combination of UV–visible spectroscopy, SERS, and nanochemistry made for an interesting and thought-provoking laboratory experience.

AB - This experiment was designed and successfully introduced to complement the nanochemistry taught to undergraduate students in a useful and interesting way. Colloidal Ag nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple, room-temperature method, and the resulting suspension was then used to study the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of methylene blue. The colloid was also characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, and these results were used to help explain some of the observed SERS features. The students looked at the effects of concentration and acquisition time on the measured SERS spectra, and the final part of the experiment was based around using their newly acquired knowledge to investigate the lowest concentration of methylene blue that could be detected. Concentrations of 5 × 10-10 M were routinely achieved. The combination of UV–visible spectroscopy, SERS, and nanochemistry made for an interesting and thought-provoking laboratory experience.

KW - analytical Chemistry

KW - laboratory Instruction

KW - raman spectroscopy

KW - physical chemistry

KW - problem solving/decision making

KW - nanotechnology

KW - colloids

KW - hands-on learning/manipulatives

KW - UV-vis spectroscopy

KW - upper-division undergraduate

UR - http://pubs.acs.org/journal/jceda8

U2 - 10.1021/acs.jchemed.6b00312