Marcus Research Group

Department of Chemistry at Clemson University

Welcome to the Marcus Group webpage

Here at Clemson University our group performs basic scientific research in analytical chemistry.  Our research involves the use of radio-frequency and direct current glow discharge sources to generate ions, excite analyte species, and perform depth profile analyses.  We then examine these species through a variety of analytical techniques including mass spectrometry (quadrupole, ion trap and time-of-flight) and atomic emission spectroscopy.  A novel atmospheric pressure glow discharge source has been developed as a sensitive, yet practical, element-specific detector for liquid chromatography and electrophoresis separations.  Finally, a particle beam interface has been developed which allows for what we term “comprehensive speciation” of a wide variety of biomolecules.  A particularly exciting application of this technology involves metal speciation in botanical (nutraceutical) products. We also are in the early stages of the development of capillary-channeled polymeric (C-CP) fibers as high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) stationary phases.  Research of C-CP fibers focuses on the fundamental separation characteristics of the C-CP fibers such as optimization of fiber packing density, column length, column inner diameter, and base polymer identity.  Applications such as separation of large biomolecules (e.g., proteins) have yielded separation efficiencies similar to those of commercial micro-particulate packed columns. To learn more about glow discharge, HPLC, and other technologies currently under development in this lab, click on one of the links below.

Cover of scientific journals presenting Marcus group research

Capillary-Channeled Polymer (C-CP) Fibers Research

Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometry Research

Glow Discharge Spectroscopy Research

Microplasma (Atmospheric-Pressure Glow Discharge) Research

Clemson University Department of Chemistry

Clemson University