Multifunctional chemical analysis (MCA) systems provide a viable alternative for large scale instruction while supporting a hands-on approach to more advanced instrumentation. These systems are robust and typically use student stations connected to a remote central computer for data collection, minimizing the need for computers at every student workspace. MCA networks offer multiple measurement capabilities, including temperature, potential, drop counting titration, and spectrophotometry. However, chromatography (either gas or liquid) is still an uncommon MCA option. We have designed and characterized an inexpensive teaching gas chromatograph (GC) that can be used in conjunction with a MCA system. The instrument has been assembled largely from readily commercially available components such as an air pump to provide the carrier gas, a septum based injection port, a standard 30 m wide-bore capillary column, a consumer convection oven with a thermocouple, and a photoionization detector modified as a flow cell. The signal output as function of time can be recorded on the MCA system and saved as a computer data file for later analysis. Common components in nail polish removers such as acetone, alcohols, and alkyl acetates have been used as test compounds. A mixture of acetone, isopropanol, and isopropyl acetate dissolved in methanol has been separated with baseline resolution at a flow rate of about 1 mL/min in about 20 min at ambient temperature. Log retention factor versus 1/temperature plots have been generated with excellent linearity up to about 50 �C. Further exploration will be done to research the potential effectiveness of this GC for headspace screening analysis of simulated breath.

Development and characterization of a teaching gas chromatograph for a multifunctional chemical analysis (MCA) system

246th National Meeting (2013)

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