Indiana Section of the Society for Applied SpectroscopyIndiana Section of the Society for Applied Spectroscopy
2001-2002 Seminar Abstracts
ADVENTURES IN MOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY AT AN UNDERGRADUATE INSTITUTION
Dr. Mary K. Carroll
Department of Chemistry
Union College
Schenectady, NY 12308
http://www.union.edu/PUBLIC/CHMDEPT/Faculty/carroll.html
The Carroll group employs molecular spectroscopic methods, with an emphasis on visible fluorescence spectroscopy, to three areas of research: (1) fundamental studies of dye/surfactant and dye/sol-gel interactions, (2) sol-gel-based chemical sensors, and (3) development of small, inexpensive instruments, including fiber-optic chemical sensors, which use a diode laser as the optical excitation source. Each of these areas has lent itself well to summer and senior-year undergraduate student research projects. This presentation will include an overview of our research, with particular emphasis on two recent projects. First, we have examined the interactions of cationic oxazine dyes with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, a micelle-forming, anionic surfactant) in aqueous solution, using UV-Visible absorption and fluorescence spectrometry, fluorescence anisotropy, and phase-resolved fluorescence lifetime measurements. There are significant spectroscopic changes as a function of SDS concentration, which demonstrate that different oxazine/SDS interactions are occurring below and above the critical micelle concentration of SDS. Second, we are developing a variety of simple optical sensors using sol-gel platforms and well-established indicator chemistry. Preliminary data on a low-pH sensor using the indicator Eosin-Y will be shown. In addition, the presentation will include some comments on the excitement, joy and challenge of establishing and maintaining a research program at an undergraduate institution.
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