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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Spin-mapping of coal structures with ESE and ENDOR

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6409349· OSTI ID:6409349

The overall goal of this project is the development of nondestructive techniques for studying the molecular structure of coal by probing the chemical environment of naturally occurring unpaired electrons with a variety of electron magnetic resonance spectroscopies. One exceptionally promising method for investigating molecular structure in complex solids possessing unpaired electrons is Electron Spin Echo Envelope Modulation (ESEEM) spectroscopy. Currently the aim of our S-band ESEEM work is to develop better methods for the interpretation of multifrequency ESEEM data. This problem is extremely difficult, especially for modulation resulting from quadrupolar nuclei (l > 1/2) such as {sup 33}S, {sup 14}N, and {sup 23}Na. We are pursuing two closely related paths toward this goal. One part of this effort is the development of classification system which would make ESEEM spectra more amenable to a preliminary interpretation by visual inspection. This report describes the testing of some of the capabilities of our recently constructed ESE spectrometer by carrying out a detailed investigation of the molecule DPPH, diphenylpicrylhydrazyl, a well-known stable free radical frequently used to test and tune up electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometers, but details of the nitrogen substituents on one of its aromatic rings have been uncertain and, in fact, the focus of a bit of controversy. It therefore made an excellent subject to select for this test. 14 refs., 2 figs.

Research Organization:
Illinois Univ., Urbana, IL (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/FE
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-88PC88921
OSTI ID:
6409349
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/88921-7; ON: DE91004334
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English