CHED 161 |
| Although the field of conjugated conducting polymers has witnessed considerable progress over the last 30 years, adequate attention to these materials is not provided in the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. Thus, we have developed experiments aimed at integrating conducting polymers into our chemistry curriculum. The first experiment, implemented in our introductory general chemistry course, includes an investigation of the electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of polyaniline. Second-year students perform a multidisciplinary experiment aimed at understanding the regiochemistry of poly(3-hexylthiophene). Both exercises include substantial group work and expose students to a variety of instrumental methods and data analysis. The design of these experiments should allow for adaptation by other institutions for similar curricular integration of conducting polymers. The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the NSF (DUE 0535763) for support of this project. |
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NSF Catalyzed Innovations in the Undergraduate Curriculum
1:30 PM-5:05 PM, Monday, August 20, 2007 Seaport -- Flagship Room, Oral
Division of Chemical Education |