Characterization of Reduced Graphene Oxide

Gina Samuelson, PhD, Professor of Chemistry, was awarded a $2000 3M Student-Faculty Collaborative Small Scale grant for her study Characterization of Reduced Graphene Oxide. Nanomaterials have unique physical, chemical, mechanical, and optical properties that often differ from their corresponding micron or millimeter scale materials. The unique structure of nanomaterials allows them to exhibit new and exciting properties that show promise for use in nanotechnologies from electronics, to structural materials, to drug delivery. An interesting class of strong, transparent, and lightweight nanomaterials is graphene and its derivatives: graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Graphene is a two dimensional sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb lattice with excellent electrical conductivity. However, when oxygen atoms are introduced to the sheet, the resulting material, GO, is an electrical insulator. In order to control the conductive properties of GO, oxygen can be partially removed, resulting in rGO. Traditionally, this reduction has used toxic hydrazine. However, recent studies have shown promise for more benign reducing agents doing this chemistry. The purpose of this study is build on those studies by monitoring and controlling the reduction of GO to rGO using benign reagents in order to tune the nanomaterial’s properties. The extent of reduction will be controlled by varying the amount of reducing agent and monitored through changes in spectral properties and electrical conductivity measurements. Given the growing demand for small, lightweight electronics, these studies are intriguing because the ability to tune the properties of GO via reduction may potentially revolutionize the field of nanoelectronics

Vitamin Analysis

Gina Mancini-Samuelson, Professor of Chemistry, received a $2,000 award from the 3M Small Scale Grant program to develop simple analytical methods for vitamin identification and quantitation

New Course with Laboratory: Chemistry of Products and Spaces

Gina Mancini-Samuelson, Professor of Chemistry, received a $1,200 Curriculum Development Award to develop a science course and laboratory to meet the needs of students in the interior design, apparel design, and fashion merchandising programs of study. The course will be offered for the first time spring 2014 and has an expected enrollment of 20 students per year

Analyze This! A Case Study Approach in the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

Gina Mancini-Samuelson, Associate Professor of Chemistry, and Sarah Evans, student researcher, received a $2,000 award from the 3M Small Scale Grant program to develop an Advanced Analytical Chemistry course. The objectives of the course are to: Allow students to gain experience in scientific query, allow students to develop critical thinking skills, allow students to develop effective communication skills on current and relevant scientific subjects, enhance students\u27 ability to work in groups

Controlling the Conductive Properties of Graphene Oxide

Dr. Gina Mancini-Samuelson, a professor of chemistry, and Alexandra Schmeltzer, a student researcher, are award $2,000 by the 3M Small grant to determine the relationship between the conductive properties of graphene oxide and the amount of reduction graphene oxide undergoes. Graphene and its derivatives are used to create chemical and biological sensors which aids doctors and other medical professionals in disease detection. Other applications extend to biological imaging and drug delivery capabilities. With the new applications of these materials, it is important to understand their characteristics and properties. The notable electric properties of these nanomaterials are that graphene is a strong electrical conductor while graphene oxide is an electrical insulator. Reducing graphene oxide creates a material with conductive properties but cannot achieve the same conductivity as pure graphene. The purpose of this project is to characterize the conductive properties of graphene oxide by controlling the amount of reduction that takes place in the reaction between graphene oxide and the reducing agent, ascorbic acid. As the graphene oxide is reduced, more of the oxygen containing functional groups are removed meaning the material should theoretically lose its insulative properties and become more conductive

Stream Study at Belwin Conservancy

Gina Mancini-Samuelson, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Sarah Van Loenen, student researcher, received a $2,000 award from the 3M Small Scale Grant program to create interdisciplinary curriculum for Advanced Analytical Chemistry laboratory (CHEM4200). The project will further investigate the impact of prairie restoration by focusing on various water sources found at the Conservancy. The goal of this project is to collect baseline data on bodies of water. A plot of land was recently purchased containing a stream that leads into the St. Croix River. Water samples from this stream will be characterized and compared to other water sites that are currently part of Belwin’s prairie restoration. If time allows, soil samples near the bodies of water will also be compared