Use of Portable Capillary Liquid Chromatography for Common Educational Demonstrations Involving Separations

High-performance liquid chromatography is one of the primary techniques covered in the undergraduate analytical chemistry curriculum. This technology report describes the use of a portable capillary-scale instrument that can provide similar performance to a benchtop instrument but generates less solvent waste and enables operation in nonlaboratory settings. Comparisons between the two instrument types were made for single-standard calibration analysis of caffeine in diet soda and aspirin content in over-the-counter tablets, with relative percent differences between the standards and samples under 5% for both instrument types and both samples. The capability to use the instrument in lecture and outreach demonstration activities was n also explored. Portable instruments can serve similar pedagogical purposes to traditional instruments as well as provide a platform to introduce discussions on green analytical chemistry based on differences in solvent waste generation and power consumption.

Automated summary

This report discusses the use of a portable capillary-scale instrument for high-performance liquid chromatography, which generates less solvent waste and can operate in non-laboratory settings. Comparisons show minimal differences in analysis between the portable instrument and benchtop instrument, with potential for educational outreach activities and discussions on green analytical chemistry.