Acquisition of a SAXS Facility for the Study of Novel Polymer Nanocomposite Membranes
Abstract
A state-of-the-art small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) instrument with wide angle x-ray scattering (WAXS) and grazing incidence x-ray scattering (GI-SAXS) capability was purchased and installed in the R& D Center (Lab # GB-03 of) of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez (Figure 1). The Anton-Paar SAXSpace equipment was properly installed and the training was conducted during August 18-22, 2014. The equipment was extensively used contributing to several publications described ahead. These non-invasive scattering techniques provide valuable information at the nanoscale regarding: size, shape, morphology and even particle interaction. This facility will further advance the understanding of the resulting nanostructure of novel polymer nanocomposite membranes (PNMs) at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez (UPRM). It supports our current efforts with novel polymer chemistries and architectures, which incorporate functionalized organic/inorganic additives creating unique PNMs. In addition, it can also be used in many other current research efforts at UPRM such as: pharmaceutical engineering, biological engineering, catalysis, adsorption, and the development of other complex nanomaterials. This facility is the only facility in UPRM and in Puerto Rico capable of performing these powerful characterization techniques. In addition, it supports the education of numerous underrepresented Hispanic graduate and undergraduate students in STEM at UPRM, where knowledge and application of scattering techniques was very limited (only through interactions with collaborators outside Puerto Rico).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 19, 2015
- Accession Number
- ADA622374
Entities
People
- David Suleiman
Organizations
- University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez