We are currently investigating metal organic frameworks with the goal of examining and controlling the surface chemistry, as well as understanding the role of defects in MOFs. The main tools used currently in these efforts include X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravametric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), and ball-milling.

We have a high vacuum chamber in our lab that houses XPS and a number of other ancillary components. Some details are given below.

X-ray source

X-ray Source:

A dual anode Mg/Al X-ray source capable of producing photoelectrons characterstic of a given surface element and its chemical state.

Analyzer

Electron Analyzer:

A double-pass cylindrical mirror analyzer capable of detecting the energy of photoelectrons escaping from the sample upon illumination with the source.

organic doser

Organic Doser:

A solid material doser designed for dosing large, low vapor pressure organics and organometallic precursors onto surfaces in vacuum.

manipulator

Sample Manipulator:

A manipulator capable of x,y,z translation, and rotation, as well as cooling to 90 K with liquid nitrogen, and heating to 1000 K.

mass spectrometer

Mass Spectrometer:

A quadrupole mass spectrometer with a 300 amu range capable of monitoring the desorption of various molecules from a surface as a function of time and surface temperature.

metal doser

Evaporative Metal Doser:

A filament-style evaporative metal doser capable of depositing metal onto a surface in vacuum.