LABORATORY OF INSTRUMENTAL ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY

The teaching of Instrumental Analytical Chemistry and Laboratory is part of the training activities characterizing the three-year degree course in Chemistry and Sustainable Technologies, and is aimed at providing students with the appropriate preparation to deal with a chemical problem in its various aspects and with the appropriate use of the current technical-scientific language.

The course is divided into two modules :theory classes (held in the classroom) and laboratory lessons. Both modules have common training objectives listed below:

1. To provide knowledge of the general principles on which the instrumental analytical techniques most commonly used in chemical analysis laboratories are based.
2. To provide knowledge on the functioning of the instrumentation and on the modality of reading the responses obtained from the different types of instruments and their correlation with the relevant theoretical aspects
3. Develop critical mind that allows students to evaluate the potentials, advantages and limits of the different instrumental analytical techniques studied
4. To Introduce the students to the conscious evaluation of the role of instrumental analytical methods in the specific area of quality control of a good
5. Develop skills in the evaluation and reliability of analytical data.
6. Develop manual skills and ability to conduct experiments autonomously, working both alone and in groups.
7. To develop the ability to apply an analytical method in coherence with protocols already defined and / or established by specific laws.
8. Develop skills in the collection, organization and processing of experimental data and the ability to present them in written and / or graphic form, using the appropriate scientific language.
9. Develop skills to critically interpret and evaluate the experimental results and verify their congruence with the theoretical laws that underlie the techniques used.

1. Knowledge and understanding
A) Knowledge and practical understanding of the elements that make up the instruments for conducting spectroscopic, cromatographic and electrochemical analytical techniques.
B) to knowledge and understand the principal characteristics of experimental data aquisition, obtained by the instrumental analytical techniques used during the laboratory activities.

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
A) Ability to use the laws and concepts learned for the choice of instrumental analytical techniques suitable for solving a specific analytical problem.
B)Ability to use the tools available in the laboratory to obtain the best instrumental performances from a given analytical method.
C) Ability to collect experimental data (alone and / or in groups) and to process the results consistently in the final results, to be made explicit by writing a scientific report.

3. Ability to judge
A) Ability to express an opinion on the application of a certain technique in a specific context.
B) Ability to perform a critical evaluation of the experimental results, recognizing any errors and then proposing alternative methods.
C) Ability to evaluate the logical consistency of the functioning of the tools.
D) Ability to recognize any errors through a critical analysis of the applied method.

4. Communication skills
A) Knowing how to communicate the knowledge learned and the result of their application using appropriate language, both in the oral and written fields.
B) Knowing how to argue with scientific consistency and in written form the meaning of the analytical data obtained from experimental measurements.
C) Develop the ability to work in a team, interacting with peers in a respectful and constructive way, assuming one's role in the team responsibly and fully respecting all safety and prevention regulations in force in the chemical laboratory.

5. Learning skills
A) Develop the ability to take notes by independently identifying the salient aspects of analytical techniques and methods based on the various instrumental analytical techniques considered.
A) Develop the ability to collect data obtained during practical experiences and process them autonomously.

To have achieved the training objectives of Institution of Mathematics 1 and 2 , Physics 2, Analytical Chemistry, General and Inorganic Chemistry , possibly (but not necessary) having passed the examination of these teachings.

To achieve the training objectives and the expected learning outcomes, the contents developed in the Laboratory module (module 2 of the course) ,are described as follows.

1. Atomic Spectroscopy: Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (AES) with nitrogen plasma atomization (MP-AES).
- introduction to the use of atomic spectroscopy instrumentation. Instrument calibration. Construction of a calibration line.
- quantitative analysis: determination of analytes of environmental or industrial interest in different matrices.

2. UV-Vis Molecular Absorption Spectroscopy
- Determination of nitrous Nitrogen in aqueous solutions by spectrophotometric analysis using Griess's reagent: kinetic study of the reaction and quantitative analysis of samples in natural water samples.

3. Electrochemistry:
- Preparation and analytical use of first and second species electrodes for potentiometric analysis. Measurement of the cell potential and verification of its variation as a function of the analyte concentration. Analysis of Chloride in aqueous solutions.
- Use of ion-selective membrane electrode (ISE) for the analytical determination of K+ ions in a commercial salt supplement.

4. Gas chromatography: Gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC - FID)
- Development and control of the various instrumental parameters; use of the instrument management software. Identification and determination of the content of aliphatic hydrocarbons with low molecular weight and aromatic hydrocarbons in wastewater, applying the method of quantification of the internal standard.

5. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
- Control of the performance of a reversed phase chromatographic column LC-18. Optimization of the analyte separation procedure by varying the composition of the mobile phase, under both isocratic and gradient conditions, and the flow. Quality control and determination of the content of the active substance in a drug.

6. Ion chromatography : Ion exchange chromatography with conductivity detector (IC)
- Determination of various ionic species in natural waters, applying the methods of quantification of the calibration curve and the standard addition.

As a support to the study of the principles and instrumentation used in the laboratory, please refer to the teaching texts indicated in the syllabus of the theoretical part (Module 1)

. For the execution of the experience and the way on how to report analytical data, students are provided of laboratory lecture notes containing details on the instrumentation used, the analytical procedures for the identification and quantification of the various analytes, and how to make a report concerning the experimental results obtained from the laboratory measurements.

Learning verification of the Laboratory activities will be carried out by evaluating the written reports elaborated for each of the experiences conducted in the laboratory.
The scientific consistency in reporting the objectives and data obtained experimentally, the use of scientific language, units of measurement and significant figures, the ability to process data following standard methods of quantification (e.g. construction of calibration curves, use of the standard addition method and the internal standard) as well as the use of simple statistical methods to establish the significance of the analytical data, will be evaluated.

At the end of the series of experiences a written individual test will be carried out to establish the degree of understanding of the experimental operations performed in the laboratory.

For the evaluation of the laboratory module, it is required to carry out at least 80% of the planned activities. Additional laboratory sessions are planned to allow for possible recoveries.

The final mark of the reports will be the arithmetic mean of the reports of each individual experience.

The overall laboratory vote will be the arithmetic mean of the average mark acquired in the reports and in the individual test.

The final mark of the course of Instrumental Analytical Chemistry and Laboratory - modules 1 and 2, will be composed of:
- 60% mark of the theory part (module 1 of the course)
- 40% laboratory mark (module 2 of the course)

The laboratory activities will take place through experiences to be performed experimentally in the laboratory in groups of 3/4 students. The laboratory notes prepared by the teachers will provide the necessary indications for the realization of the experiences, i.e. objectives, material and tools, data collection and processing and conclusions.

At the beginning of each experiment, the teacher will make a brief introductory presentation of the topic and the work to be done, illustrating the objective of the experience, some references on the analytical technique used, the use of instrumentation and dedicated software. Information will be given on the possible criticism in execution of some practical operations, on the appropriate use of materials, also in relation to the safety and toxicity of the chemical reagents used.

Indications will be provided on the elaboration of the group report to be presented within two weeks following the realization of the experience

Attendance to the laboratory course is mandatory .


Accommodation and Support Services for students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities: Ca' Foscari applies Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) for support and accommodation services available to students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities. In case of visual, hearing or other disabilities (Law 17/1999) or a specific learning disorder (Law 170/2010) and you need support (classroom assistance, technological aids for conducting individual exams or examinations, material in accessible format, recovery of notes, specialized tutoring to support the study, interpreters or other), contact the Disability and DSA office disabilita@unive.it

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