Synthetic Techniques: Students in the Jaekle group use multi-step organic and organometallic synthesis techniques, gain hands-on experience with handling of air-sensitive compounds by means of Schlenk techniques and inert-atmosphere glove boxes, and learn to apply state-of-the-art polymerization techniques.
Characterization Techniques: To establish structure-property relationships we carry out thorough analyses
of the synthesized novel molecular compounds and polymeric materials. Techniques that we commonly apply
include multinuclear NMR, IR and UV-visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence, electrochemical measurements, and single crystal X-ray crystallography (collaboration with Prof. Lalancette in our department).
PolyRUN Facility: Jointly with the Pietrangelo group we have recently established a cutting edge polymer and nanomaterials characterization facility at Rutgers University-Newark, funded by the State of New Jersey. PolyRUN offers access to a broad range of instruments including size exclusion chromatography (SEC/GPC),
multi angle laser light scattering (MALLS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), MALDI-TOF MS,
differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric
analysis (TGA), spin coater, DMA, rheometer, solid state NMR, AFM with inert atmosphere glove box, and a Confocal Raman Microscope. PolyRUN is now fully operational, providing access to researchers at Rutgers, other nearby academic institutions, and industrial partners.
We welcome academic and instrustrial users of this facilty. For more information, please contact the facility coordinator, Dr. Nathan Rabideau, at nmr135@newark.rutgers.edu .
Nanostructured materials are also characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the latter in a collaboration with Prof. Bonder in the Biology Department.
Computational Methods: We also apply computational tools such as DFT methods (Gaussian, Spartan, etc), especially in our projects on conjugated materials, to help correlate the molecular structure with electronic properties.