Chemistry:Microanalysis

From HandWiki

Microanalysis is the chemical identification and quantitative analysis of very small amounts of chemical substances (generally less than 10 mg or 1 ml) or very small surfaces of material (generally less than 1 cm2). One of the pioneers in the microanalysis of chemical elements was the Austrian Nobel Prize winner Fritz Pregl.[1]

Methods

The most known methods used in microanalysis include:

Advantages

Compared to normal analyses methods, microanalysis:

  • Can resolve fine-scale variations in chemical elements.
  • Can be used to identify the presence and distribution of different phases in materials.
  • Requires less sample material and therefore can provide information on microscopic objects.

Disadvantages

  • Handling of small quantities is not always simple.
  • Higher accuracy of weighing is necessary (e.g. use of accurate balance).
  • Sample surface preparation can have a major impact on measurement results.

References

  1. http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/1923/index.html The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1923. Nobelprize.org. Retrieved 2014-08-06