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Microanalysis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

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The most known methods used in microanalysis include:

Advantages

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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

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  • 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

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