Electrodeposition of Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate
Department
Chemistry
Major
Chemistry
Research Advisor
Switzer, Jay A., 1950-
Advisor's Department
Chemistry
Funding Source
National Science Foundation grant #0504715, "Epitaxial Electrodeposition of Chiral Metal Oxide Films."
Abstract
Because it is the primary mineral in kidney stones, the control of growth of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) is of great interest. In this study we use electrochemistry to deposit COM by electrochemically generating base at the electrode surface in a solution of calcium(II) and oxalic acid. Electrochemical deposition provides a convenient method to study the effects of the substrate and the solution pH, deposition current, and solution additives on the morphology of COM. The variable having the most significant effect on amount of COM deposited and its morphology was the deposition current. A future goal of this research is to deposit chiral morphologies of COM using amino acids to template the chirality of the electrodeposited COM.
Biography
Alan Windhausen is a pre-medical chemistry junior. Graduating from Niwot High School with a full International Baccalaureate degree in 2006, he has continued to strive for academic advancement by participating in undergraduate research under Dr. Jay Switzer for the past two years (operating with an OURE grant the first year) and staying active in numerous academic groups. He has participated in the undergraduate poster session at an American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, and has organized / presented in over a dozen chemical outreach programs. Alan is a member of the Missouri S&T Honors Academy, the W.T. Schrenk Chemical society (a student affiliate chapter of the ACS), the ΑΧΣ chemical fraternity, and is also a DJ on KMNR 89.7 FM
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
08 Apr 2009, 9:00 am - 11:45 am
Electrodeposition of Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Because it is the primary mineral in kidney stones, the control of growth of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) is of great interest. In this study we use electrochemistry to deposit COM by electrochemically generating base at the electrode surface in a solution of calcium(II) and oxalic acid. Electrochemical deposition provides a convenient method to study the effects of the substrate and the solution pH, deposition current, and solution additives on the morphology of COM. The variable having the most significant effect on amount of COM deposited and its morphology was the deposition current. A future goal of this research is to deposit chiral morphologies of COM using amino acids to template the chirality of the electrodeposited COM.
