Core Capability for Chemistry Research in Southampton - Brown - EPSRC

The overall aim of this application is to modernise and enhance capability of core multi-user instrumentation in Southampton Chemistry to secure the underpinning of a wide range of current and future research projects in Chemistry, and associated disciplines, in EPSRC priority areas. The ability to design, synthesis and characterise molecular species lies at the heart of chemistry. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry (MS) are two of the key techniques used very widely across organic and inorganic chemistry for the characterisation of small and large molecules and assemblies, and for the identification of the individual constituents present in complex mixtures. They are very powerful techniques that are used on a daily basis by most researchers working in these disciplines. Key elements of this application include: (i) replacing two NMR spectrometers with new, superior instruments to give increased capacity, capability and resilience to the core open access NMR provision at Southampton; (ii) replacing old MS systems with new instruments that will give fast throughput, improved quality results, and allow structural elucidation of compounds unsuitable for NMR spectroscopy. The very high sensitivity of the new MS systems will also be really beneficial for identification of very low level but potentially important impurities, for example those formed during the decay of radio-tracer species used in medical imaging. Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) is an important analytical technique in materials science, which gives highly magnified images of the morphology of solids, including powders, microcrystals, thin films and nanoparticles. By using specific probes attached to the SEM, quantitative information concerning the elements present, including low level impurities that might compromise the properties of the materials, can be obtained. This application also seeks to upgrade an existing SEM instrument through replacement of its work station and operating system, and will ensure that the ability to obtain these types of information from new materials produced in Southampton Chemistry is maintained in the future. Southampton Chemistry are committed to obtain maximum value from the capital equipment provided under the grant and have mechanisms enabling external user, including companies and academics, to use the facilities to support their research activities.