Andrea Munro, Ph.D.

Dr. Munro often teaches courses in the General Chemistry and Physical Chemistry sequences, but has taught courses throughout the chemistry curriculum including:

Chem 115 – General Chemistry 1

Chem 116 – General Chemistry 2

Chem 341 – Physical Chemistry 1

Chem 342 – Physical Chemistry 2

Chem 343 – Physical Chemistry Lab 1

Chem 344 – Physical Chemistry Lab 2

Chem 410 – Introduction to Research

Chem 420 – Instrumental Analysis

Chem 487 – Inorganic Synthesis (an experimental course)

Dr. Munro conducts research with a team of undergraduate students. We investigate colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals and the effects of various ligands on the properties of those nanocrystals as a function of nanocrystal shape.  Recently we joined a collaborative research alliance and will be synthesizing doped semiconductor nanocrystals that will serve as dyes in luminescent solar concentrators.

Students in the Munro Lab synthesize CdSe nanocrystal spheres, rods, and belts using air-free techniques.  We use XRD, TEM, AFM, and ICP to characterize the crystal structure and shape of the nanocrystals we study.  Student researchers exchange the native ligands on the nanocrystal surface with dithiocarbamate derivatives and characterize the effects of ligand exchange using UV/vis absorbance, photoluminescence, and NMR spectroscopy.