Central Instrumentation Facility

Size Exclusion Chromatography

An Agilent PL-GPC50 Plus Integrated SEC/GPC system with triple detectors (RI, PL-BV 400 viscometer and PL-RTLS dual angle light scattering).

Dynamic Light Scattering / Zeta Potential Measurement

The Ultrafast Laser system is capable of carrying out Transient Absorption and Fluorescence Up-conversion experiments. The Transient Absorption Laser System: Spitfire Ti:Sapphire regenerative ultrafast amplifier system delivers 120 fs pulses in the wavelength range of 780-120 nm with an average pulse/energy of 4mJ at a repetition rate of 1KHz. Further, output of the regenerative amplifier is coupled to Optical Parametric Amplifier, TOPAS to extend the wavelength tunability from 400-2000nm.The Fluorescence Up-conversion Laser System: Fluorescence Up-conversion, also known as fluorescence sum frequency generation, works on the principle of frequency mixing of fluorescence, originating from a fluorescent molecule upon excitation by an ultra-short pump pulse, with another ultra-short probe laser pulse. The fundamental for the Up-conversion is taken from MAITAI laser (Spectra Physics, ~120 fs, 80 MHz, 2.5 W at 800 nm) can be frequency doubled and is used to excite the sample and the frequency mixing is performed in a non-linear optical crystal, e.g. BBO (β-Borium Borate). The time evolution of the fluorescence is obtained by delaying the probe pulse using a mechanical delay stage. This technique of Fluorescence Up-conversion is used to study photo-physical properties of excited states.

Thermogravimetric Analyzer

Thermogravimetric analysis is used for the investigation of physical properties of compounds such as sample volatility, moisture content, oxidation stability, decomposition temperature and flammability studies. It measures the changes in weight in relation to change in temperature extremely precisely and accurately. Scanning rates from 0.1 to 200°C/min Temperature range 15°C to 1000°C.

Isothermal Titration Calorimeter

Used for measuring biomolecular interactions, ITC simultaneously determines all binding parameters (n, K, H and S) in a single experiment. The TA Instruments Nano ITC is focused on the measurement of ligand binding and reaction kinetics, with increased baseline stability and more tolerance to environment temperature fluctuations. Nano ITC uses a differential power compensation design for maximum sensitivity and responsiveness. The effective cell volume of the gold cells is 190 L. It is capable of both batch/incremental titration in the temperature range 2 – 800C. The injection syringe has a capacity of 50 L and a stirring rate of 150 – 400 rpm.

Differential Scanning Calorimeter

Used for the studying phase transitions, such as melting, glass transitions, or exothermic decompositions. It measures the difference in the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of a sample and reference as a function of temperature extremely accurately. Temperature range -100 °C to 450 °C (having intra-cooler facility) Controlled heating rate 0.01 to 100 °C/min.

CHNSO Analyzer

Fully Automated PC controlled Elemental Analyser for Solids, Liquid and liquid volatile samples. Operating modes for measurement of CHNS, CHN CNS, S, Trace S and O-TCD and Cl separately.

Atomic Force Microscope

Agilent 5500 AFM/SPM is capable of Contact mode AFM, Lateral Force Mode (LFM), Resonant Mode AFM (semicontact + noncontact AFM), Phase Imaging, Force Modulation Microscopy, Scanning Kelvin Probe Microscopy (SKM), Magnetic Force Mode and Electrostatic Force Mode (MFM/ EFM), Scanning Tunneling Microscopy with low current capability having user-selectable gain range. It comes with a heating stage that can go upto 1500C.

BET Surface Area Measurement

Volumetric gas adsorption method with automated real time dead volume measurement. Measures surface area from 0.01m2/g and above (N2/77K), 0.0005 m2/g and above (Kr/77K). Measures pore size ranging from 0.32 - 500 nm in pore diameter. It can measure up to 1000 data points (per station), adsorption and/or desorption. It can measure BET, Langmuir, STSA, DFT, BJH etc. The chemisorptions mode enables unattended chemisorption measurement of gases such as CO & H2 which allows catalysis evaluation such as metal dispersion, active metal surface and average particle size of supported metal by volumetric method.

Superconducting Quantum Interference

Device Vibrating Sample Magnetometer with the sensitivity of a SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) magnetometer. The SQUID VSM is equipped with a Pulse Tube Cooler which eliminates the need for liquid cryogens.

High Resolution (HR) Raman Microspectrometer

The HR Raman spectrometer installed at CIF is an Integrated Raman system that includes a confocal microscope, a large focal length (~800mm) Czerny-Turner type achromatic spectrograph with spectral resolution of 0.4 cm-1/pixel operating at the spectral range of 200–1050nm and the source of excitation is 632.8 nm, air cooled He-Ne laser. The instrument is capable of measuring the Raman signal for thin films, solid and solutions.

EPR

The EPR facility in CIF comprises of an X and Q-band capable instrument. Variable temperature accessories for both liquid nitrogen and liquid helium temperatures are available. The facility has ENDOR accessories as well.

Rheometer

Rheometer is used to analyse the deformation and complex flow behavior of materials such as liquids, gels, soft solids, polymers, etc. by subjecting a sample to various types of stress, such as shear stress. A rheometer requires various geometries to induce changes in samples and determine the relationship between measured parameters (shear viscosity, elastic and viscous moduli, etc.) and applied force. Our rheometer facility is equipped with the model MCR-102 by Anton Paar with parallel plate (PP50), cone and plate (CP25-1, CP50-1, CP50- 2), and concentric cylinder (CC27) geometries. The air-bearing-supported synchronous EC is the key component and the steel frame is optimized for mechanical and thermal stiffness and minimizes torsional and axial compliance. The instrument has the following available modes: Flow measurement, Oscillation test: Amplitude sweep for LVE-Range, Frequency sweep for yield stress, Time dependent measurement: Creep and recovery, thixotropy shear and oscillation test, Temperature dependent measurement: Temperature ramp curing or gelification, cloud and pour point, crystallisation and melting of polymer etc.