Development of a powder X-ray diffraction laboratory module for the use in honors General Chemistry: Identification of unknown household solids using powder X-ray diffraction

CHED 395

Molly L. Gahan, mlg6767@sru.edu1, Jasmine Blair1, Peter Wildfong2, and Jennifer A. Aitken1. (1) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, (2) Mylan School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15282
Many of the items that we encounter in our homes on a daily basis are crystalline in nature. Powder X-ray diffraction is a common method used to identify crystalline materials and mixtures, since each crystalline solid produces a unique powder pattern, like a fingerprint. In this research project, a powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) module is being developed for use in Honors General Chemistry at Duquesne University. Students will be supplied with a white, unknown, powdered crystalline solid that they will identify using PXRD. Once a pattern has been obtained from the ground solid, it is analyzed using a software package and compared with patterns in the Powder Diffraction File. Several household items have already been identified as appropriate unknowns and these will be presented. This module will reinforce the concepts of basic crystalline solids and the diffraction of X-rays covered in lecture.

 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Chemical Education
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007