Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Research Articles

A Multiweek Experimental Project Bringing Real-World Lithium Batteries into a Third-Year Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

A Multiweek Experimental Project Bringing Real-World Lithium Batteries into a Third-Year Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry as a Powerful Tool for Spatially Resolved Analysis: An Experiment for Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry as a Powerful Tool for Spatially Resolved Analysis: An Experiment for Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

Using Project-Based Learning to Assess the Effectiveness of Water Filtration Devices in Removing Chemical Analytes in an Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

Using Project-Based Learning to Assess the Effectiveness of Water Filtration Devices in Removing Chemical Analytes in an Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

Student experiences of project-based learning in an analytical chemistry laboratory course in higher education

Abstract This study describes students’ experiences in project-based learning (PjBL) incorporated as part of a revised undergraduate analytical chemistry laboratory course. We examined which phases were the easiest as well as the most challenging and what student skills developed during the research project. The research data were collected between 2016 and 2018 via two questionnaires. They were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. One questionnaire focused on the whole course (in 2016–2018, n = 127) of which only the answers on the research project questions were analyzed. The other questionnaire focused on only the research project (in 2018, n = 42). Based on the results of our study, students felt that the research project was useful for their future laboratory experiments. Several sets working life skills as well as self-assessment skills were also developed during the project. These included skills related to laboratory work, group working, planning the research, problem solving and data collection. The students named the easiest phases to be the concrete laboratory experiments, making the seminar presentation, drawing up the research plan and reporting the results. As the most challenging phases, they named the design phase of the project, challenges related to experimental works and data collection. For example, students experienced uncertainty when gathering information and the whole project appeared challenging during the design phase. However, when students started to work, they saw that the work progressed smoothly if they had designed it well. When students have an opportunity to create their own research project, they acquire meaningful learning experiences.

Low-Cost Method for Quantifying Sodium in Coconut Water and Seawater for the Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Laboratory: Flame Test, a Mobile Phone Camera, and Image Processing

The flame test is a classical analytical method that is often used to teach students how to identify specific metals. However, some universities in developing countries have difficulties acquiring ...

A Comprehensive Microfluidics Device Construction and Characterization Module for the Advanced Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

An advanced analytical chemistry undergraduate laboratory module on microfluidics that spans 4 weeks (4 h per week) is presented. The laboratory module focuses on comprehensive experiential learning of microfluidic device fabrication and the core characteristics of microfluidic devices as they pertain to fluid flow and the manipulation of samples. Experiments include the cleanroom-free fabrication of glass-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic devices by use of thermoplastic molds and soft lithography, determination of the zeta potential at the microchannel walls, investigations of electroosmotic flow, determination of Péclet numbers, and diffusion coefficients based on diffusion-limited reagent mixing. The module concludes with the development of a microchannel electrophoresis lab-on-a-chip device with in-line fluorimetric detection for the separation of a DNA ladder. This laboratory module has been offered for two consecutive years and has received favorable student feedback.

Fitting It All In: Adapting a Green Chemistry Extraction Experiment for Inclusion in an Undergraduate Analytical Laboratory

Several principles of green chemistry are introduced through this experiment designed for use in the undergraduate analytical chemistry laboratory. An established experiment of liquid CO2 extraction of d-limonene has been adapted to include a quantitative analysis by gas chromatography. This facilitates drop-in incorporation of an exciting experiment into an existing curriculum. The experiment provides an introduction to natural product extraction, calibration curves, and internal standards while simultaneously demonstrating alternative solvent selection for pollution prevention and increased chemical safety.

Determination of Unknown Concentrations of Sodium Acetate Using the Method of Standard Addition and Proton NMR: An Experiment for the Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

In this experiment, students learn how to find the unknown concentration of sodium acetate using both the graphical treatment of standard addition and the standard addition equation. In the graphic...

Quantification of Sugar Mixtures with Near-Infrared Raman Spectroscopy and Multivariate Data Analysis. A Quantitative Analysis Laboratory Experiment

An experiment for Raman spectroscopy in combination with multivariate data analysis was designed and implemented in the undergraduate analytical chemistry laboratory curriculum. Raman spectroscopy is currently considered among the most important nondestructive routine optical analysis tools. An experiment is presented demonstrating the capability of Raman spectroscopy in combination with principal components analysis and regression (PCA/PCR), which was applied to determine the composition of complex sugar mixtures that cannot be adequately quantified using conventional univariate analysis methods.

Assembly of a Modular Fluorimeter and Associated Software: Using LabVIEW in an Advanced Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

A laboratory activity for an upper-level undergraduate course in instrumental analysis has been created around LabVIEW. Students learn rudimentary programming and interfacing skills during the construction of a fluorimeter assembled from common modular components. The fluorimeter consists of an inexpensive data acquisition module, LED light source, silicon photodiode detector, photodiode amplifier, colored glass filter, and lenses. Students are asked to assemble a working instrument and program its operation in LabVIEW. The fluorimeter is ideally suited for fluorescein. In addition to a calibration curve, students can investigate the pH dependence of fluorescence from fluorescein and the dynamic quenching of fluorescence by iodide. Students generally work in groups of two or three and the laboratory activity takes 16–20 hours to complete.

Gold Electrodes Modified with Self-Assembled Monolayers for Measuring L-Ascorbic Acid: An Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Experiment

This article describes an undergraduate electrochemistry laboratory experiment in which the students measure the L-ascorbic acid content of a real sample. Gold electrodes modified with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of thioctic acid and cysteamine are prepared to study the effects of surface modification on the electrode reaction of L-ascorbic acid at neutral pH. Cyclic voltammograms of L-ascorbic acid are different on these electrodes, owing to the different surface charge of the SAMs. Cysteamine-modified electrodes give a sharper oxidation peak at a smaller overpotential and thus are more suitable for measuring the concentration of L-ascorbic acid in an aqueous solution. A linear calibration curve is obtained using such an electrode, permitting the determination of L-ascorbic acid content in a vitamin C tablet. This experiment provides a means for teaching the basics of voltammetry, teaching the effect of chemical modification of the electrode surface on the electrode reaction, and providing students with hands-on experience in fabricating and utilizing electrochemical sensors. Additionally, it can be completed within three hours and is suitable as an undergraduate laboratory experiment.

Label-Free Detection of DNA Hybridization by Cyclic Voltammetry. An Advanced Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Experiment

A electrochemical detection method for DNA hybridization has been developed and tested in an advanced analytical chemistry course. A set of experiments was designed to explore several concepts relevant to electropolymerization of intrinsically conducting polymers, their use as an electrically controlled ion-exchanger of chloride ions, and their ability to bind oligonucleotides through a noncovalent interaction with magnesium ions used as a linker between the polymer and the DNA strand. The electrostatic barrier on the modified electrode created by the phosphate groups of the probe DNA attached to the magnesium ion is modified by DNA hybridization. Changes in the transfer rate of chloride ions of the label-free DNA detector are detected as variations in cyclic voltammograms. The basic approach for the detection of the DNA hybridization event relies on the subtraction of cyclic voltammograms recorded before and after DNA hybridization. Different aspects of the experiments can be emphasized, dep...

Using a Spreadsheet to Fit Experimental pH Titration Data to a Theoretical Expression: Estimation of Analyte Concentration and Ka

A method of determining analyte concentration and Ka by least-squares fitting experimental acid–base pH titration data to a single theoretical expression is presented. The fitting is carried out using the Solver Add-in of the ubiquitous Excel spreadsheet program. The theoretical expressions used in this article are easily derived using the systematic treatment of equilibrium and alpha fractions, and therefore this method of analysis is appropriate for the typical undergraduate analytical chemistry laboratory–lecture sequence.

Application of Ion Chromatography to the Investigation of Real-World Samples

An experiment using ion chromatography in an undergraduate analytical chemistry laboratory is described. The students, working in small groups, are responsible for identifying a real-world system of interest and for developing a strategy to investigate that system. The students gain specific skills and knowledge about chromatography as well as more general analytical skills including sample preparation, system calibration, determination of detection limits, and data analysis. Two specific examples of experiments done by students in the class are presented: the determination of lead in hair dye and the determination of anions in orange juice.

Incorporating Automation in Undergraduate Laboratories

Automated techniques and philosophies, which have become increasingly important in modern laboratories, are not traditionally covered in undergraduate chemistry curricula. To this end, we have been incorporating automated sample preparation methods using standard robotic workstations in our undergraduate analytical chemistry laboratory. Using a Benchmate™ II Workstation, an automated method has been developed and implemented for the solid phase extraction of capsaicins from commercial hot pepper sauces prior to liquid chromatographic analysis. This paper reports on pedagogical aspects of incorporating automation into the undergraduate curriculum as well as results obtained for manual and automated extractions conducted by students.

Incorporating Automation in Undergraduate Laboratories

Automated techniques and philosophies, which have become increasingly important in modern laboratories, are not traditionally covered in undergraduate chemistry curricula. To this end, we have been incorporating automated sample preparation methods using standard robotic workstations in our undergraduate analytical chemistry laboratory. Using a Benchmate™ II Workstation, an automated method has been developed and implemented for the solid phase extraction of capsaicins from commercial hot pepper sauces prior to liquid chromatographic analysis. This paper reports on pedagogical aspects of incorporating automation into the undergraduate curriculum as well as results obtained for manual and automated extractions conducted by students.

Teaching Sample Preparation in the Undergraduate Laboratory

Teaching sample preparation in an undergraduate analytical chemistry laboratory provides many challenges. For example, the time required to properly digest a sample means that sample preparation and method development are often deliberately overlooked in the undergraduate laboratory. To teach sample preparation, we have developed an experiment for the acid digestion of an iron ore sample in a microwave oven. From a pedagogical perspective, the microwave oven has the advantage of allowing easy control of experimental parameters such as heating power and time. This experiment requires two 3-hour lab periods. One lab period is required for determining the optimum conditions to achieve maximum extraction of Fe from an iron ore sample. The digestion parameters used for this experiment are choice of acid, digestion time at a fixed microwave power, and microwave power at a fixed time. A second lab period is required for the preparation of calibration standards and the analysis of the ore samples for Fe using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Using the optimum digestion parameters, Fe was measured in a known ore sample and was within 2% of the expected concentration.

Probiotics Production: An Interesting Example for the Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

An analytical chemistry laboratory experiment for undergraduates that combines traditional analytical chemistry techniques with the interdisciplinary field of biotechnology is presented. It involves a process in which the combination of a yeast (Schizosacaromyces pombe) and a bacteria (Acetobacter xylimun), usually named Kombucha, in a very simple culture of commercial black tea and glucose produces metabolites that are sampled and quantified by students. Students determine the biomass and quantify the production of several organic acids, and the consumption of glucose. This is an interdisciplinary project where students apply many tools of the general analytical process and combine results obtained by all the participating students to learn the characteristics of a biotechnological process. Overall, the system discussed is easy to implement because the selected micro-organisms are not pathogenic, are safe and easy to manipulate, and are resistant to contamination.

Analysis of the Essential Nutrient Strontium in Marine Aquariums by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: An Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Exercise

An undergraduate atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) laboratory experiment is presented involving the analysis of the essential nutrient strontium in a real-life sample, sea water. The quantitative analysis of strontium in sea water is a problem well suited for an undergraduate analytical chemistry laboratory. Sea water contains numerous components which prevent the direct quantitative determination of strontium. Students learn first hand about the role of interferences in analytical measurements, and about the method of standard addition which is used to minimize these effects. This laboratory exercise also introduces undergraduate students to practical problems associated with AAS. We encourage students as a part of this experiment to collect and analyze marine water samples from local pet shops.

A Study of the Oxidation Pathway of Adrenaline by Cyclic Voltammetry: An Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Exercise

An undergraduate laboratory exercise to be used in an undergraduate instrumental methods course is presented for the electrochemical characterization of oxidation products of adrenaline. An objective of this experiment is to use information obtained through cyclic voltammetry and simulation software to develop a qualitative understanding of the oxidation mechanism of adrenaline.