Introducing Solid State Chemistry and Nanoscience with Colloidal Au–Sn Alloying

Abstract

Integrating active research into educational laboratory experiences is critical for exposing students to the impact research can have. By using discoveries and experiments from ongoing active research, these laboratories create a crucial early career opportunity for students to directly engage in current scientific research. A summer laboratory program for incoming undergraduate chemistry majors was designed and implemented. Students with no required prior laboratory experience took part in experiments and discussions relating to Au–Sn alloy nanoparticles, focusing on concepts from nanoscience, solid state chemistry, and photonics. Societal impacts on sustainability and critical materials were also discussed. A strong emphasis is placed on teaching solid state chemistry and nanoscience, which can be challenging to incorporate into existing introductory laboratory experiences due to time, safety, and approachability limitations. This experiment is aqueous, can be performed in a single session, and requires no sophisticated equipment. The laboratory was reproduced solely using reagents and equipment available in our general chemistry stockroom. Instructor materials are also included that adapt this laboratory for teaching crystal structures and X-ray diffraction at an advanced level.