MRSEC Lab 6.630 Glovebox General Guidelines
1. Chemical and Process Review
a. Only specific chemicals are allowed to operate within this glovebox to prevent reactions with other chemicals being stored inside. Current compatible chemicals/solvents are: Organometal halide perovskites, relevant carrier transport materials, Chlorobenzene (CB), Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Dimethylformamide (DMF), Isopropyl alcohol.
b. Glovebox manager is responsible for reviewing and approving chemicals prior to being brought into the box if the user brings a restricted chemical or an unapproved chemical into the box, the user will be banned from using the glovebox immediately.
c. Fabrication process in the glovebox should be discussed prior to operation in order to prevent the cross-contamination on the hotplate, spincoater, and gloves.
d. Once manager approves the chemicals and process, potential user will be trained/permitted to use the glovebox.
2. Chemicals/Supplies Transfer to Glovebox
a. No chemicals should be opened prior to entering the glovebox.
b. Chemical bottles needed to be labeled with chemical content, user’s name, lab name, and the opening date.
c. Bottles should be wrapped with parafilm after they are opened or when not in use.
d. Supplies will be brought in through a zip bag. Supplies must be cleaned and N2 dried prior to putting them into zip bag – these supplies are typically petri dishes, glass vials with stir bars, weigh boats, tweezers and spatulas.
e. Syringes, needles, syringe filters, and parafilm will also be placed in the zip bag.
f. A number of Aluminum foil will be needed to be brought in the box for wrapping the spincoater and the hot plates for each use.
g. Place all items into zip bag and keep the bag unsealed.
h. Vent the antechamber on the right side of the box and open the outer door.
i. Place the opened zip bag into antechamber and close the outer door.
j. Vacuum and vent the antechamber for 3 cycles, then wait 15 minutes for the items inside the bag to be purged with N2 prior to bringing them into the box.
k. Vent the antechamber and open the inner door to bring the supplies in.
l. Close the inner door and vacuum the antechamber.
m. Rotate the shutter to the middle when the minimum vacuum reading is reached.
n. Lay out supplies and cover the equipment (spincoater and hotplate) with foil.
o. Begin your process.
3. Balance Use Protocols
a. The main principle is to avoid the chemicals direct contact on, over, or in the balance area – user will be banned if any chemicals are found on the balance.
b. Open chemicals you intend to weigh out
c. Zero/Tare weight boat on balance with the door closed.
d. Remove weight boat from balance.
e. Add XX mg of chemical to weigh boat – place back on balance.
f. Repeat until the desired weight is obtained.
g. Gently wipe off the chemicals on/around the balance if you found any.
h. Set the balance back to standby mode.
4. Hotplate Use Protocols
a. User always needs to wrap the surface of hotplate with foil before use.
b. Set the desired temperature and make sure the target temperature is stable before you proceed your process.
c. Foil removal should be carried out when the hotplate is cooled down to avoid the damage to the gloves.
5. Bring Chemicals/Waste Out
a. Once the process is complete, the used/disposed items will be placed into the labeled zip bag, sealed and brought out – make sure the waste disposal is following the procedure from UT EHS.
b. Vent the antechamber and open the inner door to bring the supplies in.
c. Close the inner door and vacuum the antechamber.
d. Vent the antechamber and open the outer door to bring the supplies out.
e. Close the outer door and vacuum the antechamber.
f. Rotate the shutter to the middle when the minimum vacuum reading is reached.
g. Do not forget to parafilm any opened chemical bottles.
6. Reservations
a. Once the user is certified by the manager, access through FBS system will be provided.
b. Make sure to schedule an appointment prior to the operation.
Contact Glovebox Manager if you have any questions regarding the operation in the glovebox. Contact info as follows:
Name: Shang-Hsuan “Andy” Wu
Email- andyshwu@utexas.edu
Mobile: 512-917-9895