|
The mission of the Chromatography, Thermal Analysis and Electrochemistry Unit is to provide specialized scientific support to the institute researchers in these techniques and to facilitate their use.
|
Chromatography is the main technique in the Unit. Supporting is based on separation, identification and isolation of chiral and non chiral compounds. Regarding to liquid chromatography, the Unit has four High Performance Liquid Chromatographs, two analytical HPLCs equipped with diode array, fluorescence, evaporative light scattering and single quadrupole mass detectors, one semi preparative HPLC (up to 40 mL/min) and a preparative (up to 150mL/min), both equipped with UV-vis dual wavelength detectors. Concerning gas chromatography instrumentation, the Unit has three GC, two of them coupled to a mass selective detector and one to flame ionization and thermal conductivity detectors.
Thermal Analysis instrumentation consists on a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and a thermobalance (TG). Main applications are measurements of solid phase transitions within the range -80ºC up to 600ºC (DSC) and determination of volatile compounds (MS coupling) and/or thermal decomposition (TG) in the range from room temperature up to 1000ºC. An isothermal microcalorimeter titrator (ITC) is also available in the Unit. ITC is used for accurate determinations of binding constants, coordination stoichiometry and thermodynamic values.
Electrochemistry instrumentation consists on two titrators (Karl Fischer and potentiometric) and two potentiostats. Main applications are the determination of water content, acidic constants (pKa) and redox processes (voltammetries, electrolysis, etc), respectively.
Moreover, Unit technicians manage open use instrumentation such as glove boxes and solvent purification systems.