Apologies for cross postings. Richard Tuckett / 10.6.05
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UNIVERSITY of BIRMINGHAM, UK
Applications of proton transfer, ion molecule, and electron mass
spectrometry to the analytical sciences
Fully-funded studentship, October 2005 - September 2008
Supervisors: Drs Richard Tuckett (Chemistry) and Chris Mayhew (Physics)
EPSRC - Royal Society of Chemistry (Analytical Division) studentship
Full details and send applications to [log in to unmask] (tel : 0121
414 4425) or [log in to unmask] (tel : 0121 414 4592). EU and UK
applicants only are eligible for funding.
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There is an ever-increasing need for high levels of sensitivity and
chemical specificity to detect and monitor trace chemicals in highly
complex environments in real time. Some of the most promising approaches
that have been developed are based on soft chemical ionization mass
spectrometry, either using gas-phase ion-molecule reactions or negative
ionisation of a compound by gas-phase electron attachment. During the last
decade, we have developed three instruments well suited for the proposed
work. We have a selected ion flow tube, used for the measurement of
reaction rate coefficients and product ion distributions for ion-molecule
reactions, and a swarm apparatus for the investigation of electron
attachment processes. Finally, in 2002 a proton transfer reaction mass
spectrometer for use in trace gas analysis, especially in medical
applications, was purchased. The ion-molecule work is complemented by VUV
dissociative photoionisation studies using tunable synchrotron radiation.
Specific projects will study in the next three years include :
1. Study electron attachment to banned CFCs, and their short-term
replacements the HFCs, HCFCs, and the PFCs, with the objective of
monitoring their concentrations in industrial and natural environments.
Other proposed studies include investigating electronegative molecules
(e.g. peroxides, quinones, and molecules with attaching NO2- groups).
2. Study different isomeric forms of a molecule, to provide detailed
information about the effects of molecular structure on electron-molecule
and ion-molecule collisions. Initially we will study various isomeric
PFCs, including: c-C4F6, 1-C4F6, 2-C4F6, c-C4F8, 1-C4F8 and 2-C4F8.
Further electron-attachment experiments will be made under beam conditions
in the University of Innsbruck.
3. Complementary work will be carried out at the Synchrotron Radiation
Source, Daresbury. Projects include VUV dissociative photoionisation
studies of the molecules listed above using coincidence techniques, and
anion production studies from VUV photodissociation of ion-pair states of
these molecules.
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Dr Richard P. Tuckett,
Reader in Chemical Physics,
School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham,
Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Tel : 0121 414 4425
Fax : 0121 414 4403
email : [log in to unmask]
web : http://www.chem.bham.ac.uk/staff/tuckett.htm
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