As nanotechnology becomes part of the everyday vernacular, there is a need for successful introduction of nanomaterials and implementation of laboratory activities that expose undergraduates to this growing field. I have redesigned the advanced physical chemistry laboratory to include three modules on the synthesis and characterization of various nanomaterials using the available instrumentation at Utica College, a primarily undergraduate institution. The students develop a literature-based procedure to synthesize Au and Ag nanoparticles as well as CdSe quantum dots. The resulting nanomaterials are characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy and the students are guided through a series of qualitative tests, calculations, and inquiries within each module to further explore properties of the nanomaterials. In addition, the students are also assigned a type of nanomaterial (metal nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots) to research and write a review paper of the current literature during the semester to reinforce the concepts.

Introduction to nanomaterials at primarily undergraduate institutions: Modules for advanced physical chemistry laboratory

244th National Meeting (2012)

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