Nanoparticle Function, Synthesis, and Characterization
Instructor: Daniel Roxbury, PhD, University of Rhode Island
Location: URI
Session 1: July 15 – July 17 ( Lab: Room FCAE 325)
Session 2: July 17 – July 19 ( Lab: Room FCAE 325)
Course Overview
This WDT Module aims to give students an overview and hands-on experience in the theory, creation, and characterization of nanomaterial-based sensors, i.e. nanosensors. The module includes brief lectures on fundamental theory as well as applications that are being developed. An emphasis will be placed on biomedical nanosensors as well as carbon-based nanomaterials and metal nanoclusters for sensing and imaging applications. The module is intended for students who are new to nanomaterials but are proficient in general laboratory techniques, i.e. pipetting. The module will be completed over 2.5 days and participants who complete the module will receive an RI-INBRE Certificate of Completion
Learning Outcomes
- Learn the basic principles of nanomaterials and their desirable intrinsic properties
- Understand how the structure of the nanomaterials gives rise to their physical, electronic, and optical properties
- Create functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with optimized near-infrared fluorescence
- Create gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of varying size
- Learn the theory behind and characterize the SWCNTs and AuNPs with UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectrophotometry upon addition of model analyte
- Learn the theory behind and visualize the SWCNTs and AuNPs with confocal Raman microscopy
- Learn the theory behind and characterize the SWCNTs with near-infrared fluorescence spectroscopy upon addition of model analyte
- Analyze the spectroscopy data with OriginPro software and microscopy data with ImageJ
Lab Report
Students will be expected to maintain detailed laboratory notes to include:
- Materials used
- Synthesis protocols
- Imaging and spectroscopy parameters and protocols
- Data analysis protocols
- Additional information
Resources Used in this Module:
- Slide decks for brief lectures
- Computer running Windows for data acquisition and processing
- OriginPro and ImageJ software
Timeline
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM-10:30 AM | Intro to SWCNTs and their Properties (Lecture) | Intro to AuNPs and their Properties (Lecture) | Intro to Confocal Raman Microscopy (Lecture) |
| 10:30 AM-12:00 PM | Creating dispersions of SWCNTs (Hands-on) | Creating dispersions of AuNPs (Hands-on) | Analyze SWCNT and AuNP on CRM (Demonstration) |
| 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Break | Break | WDT Survey and Certificate Distribution |
| 1:00 PM-2:00 PM | Analyze SWCNTs with UV- Vis Spectrophotometer (Lecture and Hands-on) | Analyze AuNPs with UV-VisSpectrophotometer (Lecture and Hands-on) | |
| 2:00 PM-3:00 PM | Analyze SWCNTs with NIR Fluorescence Spectroscopy (Hands-on) | Analyze AuNPs in presence of aggregating agent (Hands-on) | |
| 3:00 PM-4:00 PM | Visualize data on OriginPro; calculate SWCNT concentrations (Discussion and Hands-On) | Visualize data on OriginPro; calculate AuNP concentrations (Discussion and Hands-On) |