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Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

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Chemistry

Western Kentucky University

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

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Nanoparticles

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Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Expanding The Applicability Of Raman Spectroscopy For Monitoring Photocatalytic Degradation, Franklyn Wallace Sep 2016

Expanding The Applicability Of Raman Spectroscopy For Monitoring Photocatalytic Degradation, Franklyn Wallace

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Compared to other types of wastewater pollutants, dangerous chemical compounds such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and herbicides are difficult to remove and consequently being detected (at least in part because detection limits have decreased) in drinking water at increasing concentrations. Photocatalytic degradation degrades harmful compounds to innocuous end products using energy from light. Although it is effective and cost-efficient, the underlying chemical mechanisms are not understood well enough to ensure that dangerous intermediate products are not formed during the degradation process. Raman spectroscopy can be used to analyze photocatalytic degradation reactions in real time, identifying intermediate products based on spectral features. …


Synthesis And Application Of Pdib Nanostructures In Solar Cells, John T. Ferguson May 2015

Synthesis And Application Of Pdib Nanostructures In Solar Cells, John T. Ferguson

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Perylenediimide bridged silsesquioxane (PDIB) nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel processes as described by the Stöber method. These particles were synthesized homogeneously from solution and with the use of silica nanoparticles and bipyridine iodide bridged silsesquioxane (BPIB) nanoparticles as nucleation sites. The morphology of the resulting particles was confirmed by TEM and the presence of PDI confirmed by UV spectroscopy. Although further research will test all of the particles across a range of concentrations and sizes, the silica nucleated PDIB nanoparticles were analyzed in the active layer of bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic devices in conjunction with P3HT polymer. Devices with the …