Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at The University of Northern Iowa

Ching Woo

Ching Woo

Retired from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0423

Degrees

  • B.A., 1960, Cornell University
  • M.S., 1962, University of Michigan
  • Ph.D., 1968, University of Kentucky

Research Interests:

Our research involves development of novel methods for the sampling, separations and chemical analysis of trace constituents in complex mixtures.

Currently, work in our group centers on two areas:

  1. Development and validation of novel sampling techniques for the preconcentration and selective detection of trace levels of hazardous air contaminants. With the choice of a preferentially absorbing and stabilizing liquid extractant, absorption samplers are designed to yield the benefit of high sensitivity for analyte(s) of interest and of preventing losses of highly volatile or highly reactive analytes. Selectivity is further enhanced using liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Only functional groups or compounds known to be electrochemically active are identified and quantitated. Groups of compounds studied included aromatic amines, atmospheric aldehydes and carbonyls, hydracine propellents and illicit drugs.
  2. Working jointly with Dr. Bartak's research group, we are developing solvent extraction and ion chromatography techniques for the isolation of platinum group metals from spent automotive catalysts and electronic scrap meals. Electrodeposition with carbon electrodes has shown to be promising for the direct recovery of metal values.

Selected Publications

Simple Permeation Absorber for Sampling and Preconcentrating Hazerdous Air Contaminants, J. Chromatogr., 1988, 439-283.

Development of Liquid Chromatography Electrochemical Detection Method for Amalysis of Hudrazines and Aromatic Amines, Argonne Tehnical Report, ANL/ER-TM-356, 1990.

Development and Validation of a High Throughput Liquid-Absorption Preconcentrator for the Detection of Trace Air Contaminants, Pittsburgh Conference Symposium Publication, No. 41/188, 1991.

Detection of Contraband Drugs by High-Throughput Liquid-Absorption Preconcentration and Liquid Chromatography-Electrochemical Detection, J. Chromatogr., 1993, 634, 107-115.

Detection and Estimation of Part-per-Billion Levels of Formaldehyde Using a Portable High-Throughput Liquid Absorption Air Sampler, Environ. Sci. Technol. 1998, 32, 169-176.

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Northern Iowa
1227 West 27th Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0423
Phone: 319-273-2437
FAX: 319-273-7127
E-mail: barbara.reid@uni.edu
Web: http://www.chem.uni.edu

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