LAB 02. Nanotechnologies and Electrochemical Processes

Modular Cleanroom

COLANDIS GmbH, Germany

Specifications:

• ISO 4 (max. 10.000 #/m³, ≥0.1 µm)
• Air extraction/processing unit with HEPA filters
• Personnel entry/exit airlock
• Usable working area: 12 m²

Applications:

• UV optical lithography
• Development of micro- and nanostructures

Sealed Glovebox

GS GmbH, Germany

Specifications:

• Three glove ports on a single side
• Transfer airlock, d = 150 mm
• O₂, H₂O and pressure sensors
• Operation under inert atmosphere: Ar or N₂

Applications:

• Preparation and characterization of organic solar cells
• Assembly and encapsulation of micro-batteries

Chemical Fume Hoods

Custom-built, Romania

Specifications:

• Two hoods, each providing a working area of ~3 m²
• Dedicated water supply and waste drainage lines
• Chemical storage space
• High extraction capacity
• Efficient removal of volatile compounds
• Tempered glass sliding front panels

Applications:

• Providing a safe environment for experiments involving volatile, toxic or corrosive materials
• Execution of chemical and/or electrochemical processes

Electrochemical Workstation 1

Customized configuration

Specifications:

• Potentiostat/Galvanostat VoltaLab PGZ 100 AiO (Radiometer Analytical SAS, France)
• SourceMeter Keithley 2460 (Tektronix, USA)
• Temp. controller Lake Shore 331, 2 channels (USA)
• Computer-assisted system for data acquisition, control and automation using LabVIEW (National Instruments)
• Handcrafted Teflon electrolytic cell with thermoelectric temperature regulation (-2°C – +90°C). A wide range of accessories is available, tailored to various applications.

Applications:

• Preparation: electropolishing, anodization, electrodeposition, electrochemical etching
• Characterization: ciclic (CV) and linear (LSV) voltametry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)

Electrochemical Workstation 2

Customized configuration

Specifications:

• Potentiostat/Galvanostat SRS EC301 (Stanford Research Systems, USA), temperature measurement (probe included)
• SourceMeter Keithley 2400 (Tektronix, USA)
• Temp. controller Lake Shore 336, 4 channels (USA)
• Computer-assisted system for data acquisition, control and automation using LabVIEW (National Instruments)
• Double-walled glass electrolytic cell thermostated using a recirculating bath, ARGO LAB CB5-10 (Giorgio Bormac, Italy), -10°C – +100°C

Applications:

• Preparation: pulsed voltage (current) chronoamperometry (chronopotentiometry), electropolymerization, etching
• Characterization: ciclic (CV) and linear (LSV) voltametry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), galvanic corrosion studies (ZRA mode), analysis of supercapacitors, electrochemical piles, batteries and photovoltaic cells

Modular E-QCM System

Customized configuration

Specifications:

• SRS QCM200 controller (Stanford Research Systems, USA)
• 5 MHz QCM25 oscilator (SRS, USA)
• Available quartz crystals, coated by Ti/Au și Ti/Pt
• Axial microfluidic cell (adapters and accessories included)
• Dual precision syringe micro-pump (Ossila, UK)
• Computer-assisted system for data acquisition, control and automation using LabVIEW (National Instruments)
• Integration with the SRS EC301 Potentiostat/Galvanostat

Applications:

• Mass-sensitive sensors and biosensors (E-QCM)
• In situ monitoring of electrodeposition, electrodissolution, RedOx reactions, polymerization processes, etc.

Deionized Water Production System

Merck, Millipore Direct-Q 3 UV, Germany

Specifications:

• Pure (Type III) and ultra-pure (Type I) deionized water
• UV lamp and interchangeable HEPA filters
• Production capacity: 3 l/hour
• Type I water resistivity: ∼18 MΩ·cm, at 25°C

Applications:

• Type III water: samples cleaning, glassware washing and equipment sanitization
• Type I water: preparation of aqueous solutions and electrolytes for chemical and electrochemical processes, rinsing of contamination-sensitive samples

Accessories, consumables and auxiliary tools available in the lab:

• Precision Balance: KERN EWJ 300-3, 300 g, Germany. A selection of Teflon dishes, available in various sizes and configurations, is provided for the weighing, handling, and transfer of chemical substances.
• Educational pH meter with magnetic stirrer (Hanna Instruments) HI208-02, USA. Multiparameter: conductivity and temperature.
• Ultrasound baths Elma Schmidbauer GmbH, Germany:
  • Elmasonic P60H, 5.75 l, dual frequency: 37/80 kHz (180/140 W), temperature: 30-80°C;
  • Elmasonic S15H, 1.75 l, frequency: 37 kHz (35 W), temperature: 30-80°C.
• Two magnetic stirrers (one equipped with a heating function). A variety of Teflon-coated magnetic stirring bars, available in different shapes and sizes, are provided.
• Pressurized nitrogen blow-off cleaning and drying system.
• Technical gas cylinders (Ar, N₂, O₂, etc.), available in various purity grades and used in a wide range of experimental procedures, including the generation of controlled atmospheres, venting of vacuum systems, and the drying and cleaning of samples and laboratory glassware.
• Substrates used for the chemical synthesis of nanomaterials, as well as for electrodeposition and electropolymerization processes, including intrinsic and n- or p-doped single-crystal silicon (Si) coated with metallic thin films in multilayer configurations and with thicknesses tailored to specific applications (Ti, Au, Pt, Al, Cu, etc.); optical glass substrates, either uncoated or coated with transparent conductive oxides such as ITO, FTO, IZO or AZO; supported and self-supported nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates with various pore sizes, porosities, and thicknesses; nanoporous polycarbonate (PC) and polyimide (PI) membranes featuring diverse pore architectures and geometries; etc.
• Electrodes kit for electrochemical applications, including reference electrodes (Ag/AgCl and SCE) and metallic electrodes (Pt, Cu, Al, graphite, and stainless steel). The set includes electrical connection cables and dedicated maintenance solutions.
• Tweezers available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and functional configurations, manufactured from materials such as stainless steel, Teflon and other laboratory-compatible materials, used for the preparation, handling, and transfer of samples and contamination-sensitive specimens.
• Electrode holders available in a variety of sizes and configurations.
• Set of variable-volume micropipettes (0.5 µL–1000 µL) offering precise liquid dispensing, supplied with pipette tips of various capacities. These are used for the controlled dosing of reagents and for the preparation of chemical solutions and electrolytes required in chemical and electrochemical processes.
• A comprehensive range of laboratory glassware is available in various sizes and configurations, including Berzelius beakers, volumetric flasks, graduated cylinders, test tubes, volumetric pipettes, graduated pipettes, Pasteur micropipettes, desiccators, crystallizing dishes, reagent bottles, glass Petri dishes, etc.
• GPIB expansion modules (National Instruments), including both internal PCIe and external USB interfaces, together with GPIB communication cables, used for the computer-assisted control, automation, and data acquisition of experimental setups.
• Stock of reagents and precursors for chemical and electrochemical processes, available in the form of powders, solutions, and salts, encompassing a wide variety of inorganic and organic compounds, including acids, bases, electrolytes, oxidizing and reducing agents, as well as other functional materials used in the synthesis of advanced materials and nanomaterials.
• Laboratory gloves, lab coats, safety goggles and other personal protective equipment.