|
|
| Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues >
2005
>
March
> |
|
In the Laboratory
|
|
|
|
Self-Assembled Colloidal Crystals: Visualizing Atomic Crystal Chemistry Using Microscopic Analogues of Inorganic Solids
|
Neal M. Abrams
Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
Raymond E. Schaak
Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77842-3012
|
|
March 2005
Vol. 82 No. 3
p. 450
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Abstract |
|
Monodisperse spherical colloids spontaneously crystallize into close-packed crystals, in analogy to the simple crystal structures of many of the elements. Since colloids are orders of magnitude larger than atoms, students can directly observe crystal structure and behavior in a microscope using colloidal crystals. This laboratory exercise provides a modular series of materials science experiments appropriate for undergraduate chemistry and engineering majors. The individual modules include aspects of chemical synthesis (monodisperse SiO2 and polymer spheres), self-assembly (colloidal crystallization), and structural characterization through microscopy (optical and scanning electron microscopies) and optical spectroscopy (optical diffraction and UV–visible spectroscopy). Using these experiments, students learn new inorganic and organic synthetic techniques, study crystal behavior (e.g., coordination, defects, close-packing) in model systems, and apply optical characterization techniques to the analysis of their materials. The experiments can easily be tailored to the desired level of complexity and instrumental availability.
|
| Supplement |
Instructions for the students, CAS numbers, and additional representative optical microscope images are available.
|
 Contents |
JCE2005p0450W.doc (Microsoft Word)
|
| Download |
|
|
| More Information |
Citation |
Abrams, Neal M.; Schaak, Raymond E. J. Chem. Educ. 2005 82 450.
|
Keywords |
Colloids; General Chemistry; Inorganic Chemistry; Materials Science; Polymer Chemistry; Solid-State Chemistry
|
History |
Created:
Last Updated: |
February 2, 2005
February 18, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues >
2005
>
March
> Page
450
|
|
|
| JCE HS CLIC |
|
Our Secondary School editors work hard to distill all the JCE materials to produce a fraction of particular interest to high school teachers. We call it CLIC.
|
| Contributions Welcome |
| JCE welcomes your submission |
| Advertisers |
| In recent years we have worked hard to better match our advertisers with our readers. When shopping for chemistry education materials, visit our advertisers' WWW sites first. |
| Be An Ambassador |
| Take JCE along on your outreach missions. Copies of the Journal, guest access to JCE Online, our publications catalog, and more are available for your participants. |
|
