Acquisition of a High-Resolution Accurate Mass QTOF LC-Mass Spectrometer (QTOF LC-MS Project)
Abstract
The present proposal requests the acquisition of a High Resolution Accurate Ð Mass Quadrupole Time-of-Flight (QTOF) Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrophotometer (LC-MS) to support multidisciplinary research activities, research training, and education at the University of Puerto Rico Ð Ponce (UPRP). In addition, access to the instrument will be open to nearby educational institutions, and the regional science community to meet the current and future needs for growing research programs in the south region of Puerto Rico. To date, LC/MS technologies have impacted proteomics-based fields around the world. QTOF-LC-Instrumentation has many advantages including: detection, identification, high spectral resolution and quantification of an extensive variety of compounds in one injection. Accordingly, the requested QTOF platform, will allow UPRP researchers to determine the kinetic parameters that describe the decomposition reaction rate of a wide range of pollutants in aqueous matrices. Moreover, the accurately mapping of products generated during photocatalytic processes in presence of photo-activated nanomaterials, will allow to evaluate the efficiency of quantum dots as catalysts. Quantum dots (QDs) absorb radiation with equal or higher energy than its band-gap, a process that generates electron and holes, and furthermore free-radicals (i.e. hydroxyl radicals, ¥OH). The generated species have the capacity to oxidize the contaminants. Previous studies suggest that transition metals Ð doped QDs enhance the half-lifetime of the charge carriers (electrons/holes) which are responsible of the photocatalysis efficiency. On the other hand, the small size of QDs (2 nm to 10 nm) hinder their recovery from aquatic environments. A magnetically-assisted approach would facilitate the QDs recovery and reuse, when they are combined with magnetic nanostructures, such as ferrites. On the above basis, Principal Investigator, Dr. Sonia Bailon-Ruiz, in collaboration with Dr. Yarilyn Cede–o-Mattei (Co-PI) will address their research efforts to generate a bifunctional nanocatalyst with photocatalytic and magnetic properties. The objectives are: i) Synthesize water-stable Zn-based nanostructures and magnetic materials, ii) Assemble and characterize nanocatalysts with bifunctional properties, iii) Determine the photodegradation kinetic of organic dyes (in single and multi-components aqueous matrices) in presence of quantum dots-based nanocatalysts. Hypothesis: In principle, the use of bifunctional nanocomposites formed by magnetic materials and quantum dots, will provide a reusable, fast and efficient destruction technique for organic dyes. Broader impacts: Outcomes from this project will provide significant scientific information about the behavior and mechanisms of cost-effective nanocatalysts. The proposal outputs will also be of practical importance to industry and governmental agencies involved in the development of new technologies (or advances devices) for water treatment, inactivation of harmful microorganisms, control of pathogens in food security, and photodynamic therapy. The activities within the present project will also enable the strengthening the research community within the University of Puerto Rico Ð Ponce, contributing to the development and consolidation of competitive and innovative investigation areas. Results from this research will be disseminated through peer review publications, interdisciplinary conferences, and workshops. A practical course on Nanomaterials Processing for Environmental Applications will be offered as a Special Topic Course at the University of Puerto Rico in Ponce (UPRP). The undergraduate students from UPRP, a Minority Hispanic Serving Institution, will be able to acquire scientific knowledge and education skills needed to present their research outcomes to the scientific community as well as to have success in their undergraduate studies. In addition, they will be better qualified when pursuing graduate stud
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 25, 2021
- Source ID
- W911NF2110206
Entities
People
- Sonia Bailon-ruiz
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- University of Puerto Rico at Ponce