With the support of the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, Professors Maciel, Grainger, and Parkinson at Colorado State University are collaborating to develop the use of solid state NMR methods to provide detailed NMR spectroscopic information about highly ordered, low surface area single crystal surface science samples. This research project is developing the Magic Angle Hopping probe for solid state NMR studies developed by Maciel to studies of the surface chemistry of stacked thin film silica or gold wafer sample substrates. A combination of instrument method development, and examination of important questions in molecular self assembly at surfaces, is the focus of this research. The collaboration brings together expertise in solid state NMR, self-assembled monolayers, and scanning probe microscopic characterization of surfaces to attack this important problem.
The ability to carry out high resolution NMR studies of surface chemical processes on well characterized substrates would revolutionize surface science studies. The work of this collaborative project at the University of Colorado focuses on the design and implementation of state of the art solid state NMR methods to probe low surface area highly ordered samples. Drawing on expertise in solid state NMR methods, surface chemistry of self-assembled monolayers, and surface characterization by scanned probe microscopy, the collaborators are developing new approaches to bridge the information gap between surface science and high surface area materials characterization.
