Research Highlights
Utilizing Engineered Soil Surrogates to Study Environmental, Ecological, and Agricultural Processes
A novel model approach was developed and applied to gain a molecular-level understanding
of environmental pollutant/soil interactions. The approach provides a scalable platform
with molecular-level control of the soil organic matter (SOM) chemical composition
and structure, allowing one to examine proposed SOM interactions with agricultural
chemicals and beyond.
Reducing Toxic Hexavalent Chromium for Clean Water
Highly toxic Cr(VI) can be reduced to benign Cr(III) in water on unmodified and inexpensive carbon electrodes. The slow step over a wide range of pH is identified, which will help develop new energy-efficient water purification technologies.
Photopolymerization of Monomer-Containing Deep Eutectic Solvents
The kinetics of photopolymerization in deep eutectic solvents (DESs) is investigated through RT‐FTIR. The systems of this study are choline chloride DESs made of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid (DES monomers) and a nonreactive analog isobutyric acid. Analysis of the evolution of conversion indicates dramatic increase in polymerization rate when comparing the polymerization of the DES monomers to pure monomer polymerization.
Probing Electron Spins in Enzymes Biosynthesis
MCD and EPR probing of the nitrogenase M cluster precursors electron spins dynamics suggests new mechanisms of enzymes biosynthesis and substrate binding. Additional ongoing ultrafast electron-scale investigations are carried out to get better understanding of such mechanisms.
Tunable surface properties for microfluidics prepared with simple, thiol-acrylate chemistry
Novel, cost-efficient bulk modified thiol-acrylate microfluidic materials with wide range of highly stable hydrophilic surfaces (11° to 85°) prepared without expensive and sophisticated techniques within less than 24 h at room temperature and ambient pressure.
Research and Training Program
A multiple case study involving participants of an MRT program who completed a BSc degree but did not subsequently matriculate into a doctoral program. Results identify perceived barriers deterring continuation into doctoral degree programs among former MRT participants.
News and Events
Wang Named 2020 DOE CAREER Awardee
Chemistry Alumnus Named Director of MSU's Advanced Composites Institute
Graduate Student Awards
Video Highlight
Video tour of the instruments, resources, and technologies available in the Department of Chemistry. To view more videos, visit the LSU Chemistry Youtube Channel.
Graduate Program
Apply for Fall 2020 by July 15
Questions? Join us for Virtual Coffee Hour on Thursdays from May 21 to August 20, 2020 at 2 PM (CDT)