title: High-pressure-low-temperature cryostat designed for use with fourier transform infrared spectrometers and time-resolved infrared spectroscopy.
abstract: The design for a new high-pressure-low-temperature infrared (IR) cell for performing experiments using conventional Fourier transform infrared or fast laser-based time-resolved infrared spectroscopy, in a range of solvents, is described. The design builds upon a commercially available compressor and cold end (Polycold PCC(®) and CryoTiger(®)), which enables almost vibration-free operation, ideal for use with sensitive instrumentation. The design of our cell and cryostat allows for the study of systems at temperatures from 77 to 310 K and at pressures up to 250 bar. The CaF2 windows pass light from the mid-IR to the ultraviolet (UV), enabling a number of experiments to be performed, such as Raman, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, and time-resolved techniques where sample excitation/probing using continuous wave or pulsed lasers is required. We demonstrate the capabilities of this cell by detailing two different applications: (i) the reactivity of a range of Group V-VII organometallic alkane complexes using time-resolved spectroscopy on the millisecond timescale and (ii) the gas-to-liquid phase transition of CO2 at low temperature, which is applicable to measurements associated with transportation issues related to carbon capture and storage.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD UK.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Calladine
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD UK.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Love
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD UK.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Fields
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD UK.
authors.forename: Richard G M
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD UK.
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: George