Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 4 of 4

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Integration Of Raman Spectroscopy And Python-Based Data Analysis For Advancing Neurobiological Research, Natalie E. Dunn Dec 2023

Integration Of Raman Spectroscopy And Python-Based Data Analysis For Advancing Neurobiological Research, Natalie E. Dunn

Doctoral Dissertations

The field of Raman spectroscopy continues to expand into biological applications due to its usefulness as a non-invasive technique that can be utilized qualitatively and quantitatively. However, the inherent weakness of Raman scattering leads to the need for each collected spectra to undergo a preprocessing step to remove noise, background drift, and cosmic rays. Biological research in particular needs large datasets due to the increased variability in samples. As datasets grow, the need to perform preprocessing on each individual spectra becomes daunting. Often, these steps are done by hand with the help of specialized software programs. Preprocessing can be accelerated …


Applying Density Functional Theory Simulations To Study The Charge Balancing And Structure Directing Roles Of Fluoride In Zeolite Synthesis, Tongkun Wang Nov 2023

Applying Density Functional Theory Simulations To Study The Charge Balancing And Structure Directing Roles Of Fluoride In Zeolite Synthesis, Tongkun Wang

Doctoral Dissertations

Zeolites represent a major cornerstone of today’s energy industry as the most-used petrochemical catalyst by weight in the world. Constituted by tetrahedra of T-atoms including Si, Al, Ge and Ti, zeolites form a huge family of nano-porous crystalline materials which also provide reliable candidates for novel, energy related applications such as efficient separations, hydrogen-purifying/storing and conversions from biomass to biofuel. However, the formation mechanism of zeolite is still not clear, as synthesis processes are complicated by requirements including structure directing agents (SDAs), hydroxide or fluoride medium, and experimental conditions like temperature. Attempts for designing new zeolite structures still fall in …


Photophysical And Photochemical Processes In Small Molecules And Materials For Solar Energy Conversion, Ethan Lambert May 2023

Photophysical And Photochemical Processes In Small Molecules And Materials For Solar Energy Conversion, Ethan Lambert

Honors Theses

The work covered in this thesis all falls under the theme of photophysical processes after light and matter interact. Those of primary interest are Raman scattering induced vibrations and excited state dynamics probed by transient absorption spectroscopy. Small molecules are studied with Raman spectroscopy and computational chemistry. These studies unearth the shifts in vibrational frequency as a function of charge transfer or receipt and how a quantitative assay of natural orbital populations and delocalization can offer both the nature and magnitude of this charge transfer. Further, a method is presented that builds upon previous work within the academic family tree; …


Detection Of Nitrogen Dioxide Via Graphene-Enhanced Raman Scattering, Spencer Hazeslip May 2023

Detection Of Nitrogen Dioxide Via Graphene-Enhanced Raman Scattering, Spencer Hazeslip

Chemistry & Biochemistry Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper presents the development of a nitrogen dioxide (NO2) sensor that utilizes the phenomenon of graphene-enhanced Raman scattering (GERS). The sensor consists of monolayer graphene on a silicon wafer, functionalized noncovalently with Copper(II) 2,9,16,23-tetra-tert-butyl-29H,31H-phthalocyanine (CuTTPc) via the solution soaking method. A custom sensing chamber was constructed to enable Raman spectra to be collected during NO2 exposure. The response of the sensor was found to be linear between 10 and 100 ppm NO2, indicating that it could be used for both detection and quantification. Furthermore, the sensor was shown to be reusable after …