Hands-on use of modern instrumentation is an integral part of scientific education and research. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is ideally suited for independent student users because of the ease of use of the instrument, as well as the wealth of quantitative and qualitative information the instrument can provide. This research project focused on the development of laboratory activities for quantitative analysis, instrumental analysis, and quantum mechanics lab using a portable infrared spectrometer. Analysis of ethanol samples was the focus of the quantitative analysis laboratory activity. Students measure the percent ethanol concentration in a range of alcoholic beverage samples using a standard curve they develop. Matrix components within select alcoholic beverages expose student to the idea of interferences within samples. Polymer chemistry was the focus of the instrumental analysis laboratory activity developed. Students use the modeling program Gaussian to predict polymer IR spectra. The IR spectra of the polymers are then collected and compared to the calculated frequencies from the Gaussian simulation. Finally, in Quantum Mechanics, the students look at the ro-vibrational spectra of HCl and DCl. The students use the knowledge they gained in class to make predictions of the appearance of the HCl and DCl spectra. Using the data obtained from the IR, the students build the equation for the transition energies and compare their predictions to data obtained from Gaussian and literature values.

Expanding student access to instrumentation through the incorporation of portable infrared spectroscopy into the curriculum

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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