Colorado State University NSF-REU Summer
Program in Materials Chemistry Research:
Synthesis, Characterization, and Device Fabrication
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Debbie C.
Crans
For
more information, visit our group webpage…
Research in
the Crans group focuses on synthesis and studies of new vanadium, chromium and
other transition metal coordination compounds and studies of these compounds. Some
of our target complexes are derived from 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid
(H2dipic) and others from other aminoalcohol ligands. Many of these complexes have potential for treatment of Type
2 diabetes. One undergraduate project would be the synthesis and
characterization of V, Cr or other transition metal complexes and analogs of
these complexes. Since H2dipic-OH is commercially available, only
the H2dipic-NH2 ligand preparation is necessary. Once these complexes are in hand
studies with them could include chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and
plasma-enhanced CVD (PECVD) studies for production of VxOy
films. This would be a
collaborative project with the Fisher group and would include film
characterization studies using a variety of spectroscopic tools. In addition, creation of solid state
electrochromic devices. In a
second project, an REU student would examine how these compounds interact with
lipid interfaces. Upon complex
preparation and isolation UV-visible and IR spectroscopy will be used for characterization
of all the complexes. 51V, 13C and 1H NMR
spectroscopy will be used for characterization of the vanadium(V) complexes.
NMR spectroscopy is employed for the chromium complexes with appropriate
oxidation states. EPR spectroscopy
will be used for the vanadium(IV) complexes and for the chromium(III)
complexes.