est. 2022
Fenton Lab Tour
The Fenton Lab's facilities are on the 5th floor of the Benkovic (chemistry) Building at Penn State. We are set up to do wet-chemical synthesis, air-free chemistry, solid-state reactions, and hydrothermal chemistry. We share space and some equipment with neighboring labs on the 5th floor, strategically expanding our portfolio and capabilities. If you're in the area, come visit!
Powder X-Ray Diffractometer
Our lab's workhorse instrument for powder diffraction is a Bruker D2 Phaser with 6-sample auto changer.
Single-Crystal X-Ray Diffractometer
Our most recent instrument addition is a Rigaku XtaLAB mini II, a benchtop single-crystal diffraction system with a Mo source.
FT-IR & UV-Vis Spectrometers
We have spectrometers from Shimadzu for FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Each are equipped for both standard measurements and for measuring bandgaps of solid/powder samples.
Surface Characterization Equipment
We have a Micromeritics 3Flex Instrument, which is equipped for physisorption and chemisorption methods, useful for measuring BET surface areas as well as specific surface chemistries.
Glovebox
Our Vigor double glovebox for air-free manipulations, chemical and sample storage.
Furnaces and Hydrothermal Ovens
We are equipped to do solid-state chemistry at many temperature and pressure regimes, from hydro- or solvo-thermal methods (< 225ºC) to high temperature box furnaces (> 1000ºC). We have access to a sealing station for air-free ampule sealing.
Differential Scanning Calorimeter
From Netsch. Equipped for high temperature and air-free measurements.
Optical Microscopy
We have a Nikon optical microscope to aid in crystallographic experiments.
Wet Chemistry Hoods & Benches
Students have dedicated workspace within the wet lab, specially equipped for their project details. We have hood and bench spaces.
Centrifuge
High speed ultra centrifuge from Beckman-Coulter, primarily used to precipitate colloidal materials.
Student Desks
Students have dedicated desk space in proximity to experimental happenings. We have some shared resources (a computer & printer, ex.) for non-lab tasks and software licenses.