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Characterization of Gold Nanoparticles with a Papercraft Spectrometer (HS)

Nanostructured materials are being used to reduce the weight of cars, buildings, and other infrastructure reducing the amount of materials needed and saving energy. Unintentional nanomaterials, such as nanoplastics, are also proving to be hazardous to the environment. In the first activity we will discuss some of the properties of light, describe how these can be used to characterize nanomaterials, and build a papercraft spectrophotometer for measuring the light emitted by different sources. In the second activity, we will discuss how nanoparticles can be formed and synthesize gold nanoparticles in the lab.

objectives

• Describe how a spectrophotometer works.
• Define which wavelengths of light correspond to visible colors.
• Describe how light interacts with matter.
• Describe the components used during nanoparticle synthesis.

Topic(s)

Chemistry

type

High school lesson

9-12

Grade(s): 

time needed

Two 50-minute class periods

author

Jeni Peterson

national next gen standards

• HS-PS2-6. Communicate scientific and technical information about why the molecular-level structure is important in the functioning of designed materials.

north dakota standards

• HS-PS2-6. Communicate scientific and technical information about why the molecular-level structure is important in the functioning of designed materials.

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Fargo, ND 58108-6050

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