Larry Taylor

Professor Emeritus

Analytical Chemistry

Research Interests

Separation Science: Supercritical fluids possess liquid-like densities but they are superior to liquids because of their higher diffusivity and lower viscosity. The mild critical parameters and low toxicity of carbon dioxide make it especially attractive as a replacement for toxic organic halogenated solvents. Principles of both supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) are under investigation. In the area of SFE, we are studying quantitative trapping and recovery, modified fluid behavior, matrix aids to extraction, and the direct coupling of SFE to spectrometric detectors (e.g., FT-IR and MS) as well as to GC, SFC, and HPLC. In the area of SFC, polymer-coated metal oxide-supported stationary phases, packed capillary columns, coupled spectrometric detection, and gradient elution techniques for highly polar mixtures are of interest. In addition to environmental problems. We have an active interest in extending these newly developed techniques to numerous industry-related problem areas, such as foods, pharmaceuticals, fibers, pulp and paper, polymers and polymer additives.

Polymer Metal Composites: Polymer-metal composites exhibit interesting and valuable properties for application in the electronic and aerospace industries. Rather than blending polymer and metal particles for the production of composites, our approach concerns the in situ generation of nano-particles in the polymer matrix. Metal salts or metal complexes may be homogeneously doped or infused into the PI followed by thermal or electromagnetic conversion to either metal or metal oxide. The resulting films may exhibit enhanced electrical, magnetic, thermal, and mechanical properties, depending on the specific metal dopant. Students working in this area gain extensive exposure to surface analysis and a variety of thermal analytical techniques.