In order to fulfill the syllabus, students from last
semester of Diploma in Science need to conduct the experiment with the
instrument such as Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, UV/Vis Spectrometer, Gas
Chromatography and Infra Red Spectroscopy. On 15th of March 2013, I
and my classmate went to UiTM Kuala Pilah to do the instrumental analysis for
subject CHM 260, Basic Instrumental Analysis. We went there after perform Zohor
prayer by bus. At UiTM Kuala Pilah, there was a laboratory that only specified
to do the instrumental analysis. So, there was the place that we went to do the
experiment.
At the laboratory, we were not allowed to bring the
bag into the laboratory but still we can bring our hand phone and purse to
avoid them from losing. Besides that, the laboratory there also prepared a
special slipper to be wear when doing the experiment. It is a little weird
since we were used to only wear closed toe shoe when doing any experiment.
After we enter the laboratory, two lecturers came
and give some briefing about the instrument that we were going to do the
experiment. First of all, they introduced us to the gas chromatography. In the
class, we knew that gas chromatography was use to separate component from the
mixture. They show us the component that contain in the gas chromatography. The
components were sample, pump, column, flow regulators, carrier gas tank,
detector and display system. The gases that contain in carrier gas tank were
hydrogen, helium and nitrogen. In order to use the gas chromatography, we had
to follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) so that we were not doing any
mistakes during the analysis. The samples that were used for gas chromatography
were methanol, N-butyl, mixture of both solution and the unknown solution. After
they show us the demonstration of handling the gas chromatography, we were
divided into groups in which one group with five members. Two groups including
my group were instructed to do the UV/Vis Spectrometer.
We must follow the SOP too to conducting the
experiment. The samples that we need to use had been prepared by the group that
had come to do the experiment before us. First of all, we need to switch on the
instrument, switch on the computer and switch on the UV Win Icon. Then, the
lecturer came to us and tells us what to do after that. The lecturer told us
what to do next to go to the display system while others including me prepare
the sample and put them into the cuvette. The sample must be ¾ filled the cuvette
so that the sample can be analyzed clearly. Other members of my group filled
the cuvette with different concentration. Then, I realized that they were not
filling the cuvette with blank which is distilled water.
Then, I went to the table that contains the sample
and I took a cuvette to fill it with distilled water. Then, there come my
friend from the other group and take my cuvette filled with distilled water to
be used by her group. I am confused why she is taking mine. She told me that
she thought that I am filling the cuvette with distilled water for her because
she also needs that cuvette with distilled water. At last, my friend took
another cuvette and I filled the cuvette with distilled water. Then, I put the
blank into the first cell like the SOP stated to do. Then, the entire sample
with different concentration was put into their cell in which cell 2 with sample
having concentration of 20 ppm, cell 3 with sample having concentration 15 ppm,
cell 4 with sample having concentration of 10 ppm, cell 5 with sample having
concentration of 5 ppm and the last cell with unknown solution.
Then, the experiment was continued with the
computer. First, we analyzed the first cell which is blank. There is no result
shown because it has no concentration. Next, we analyzed the second cell. There
was a result shown by having the peak in the computer. Then, the lecturer told
us that if you continue with the next cell, you will get the same result and
peak too because the sample is just the same but only having the different
concentration. She added, you may get the peak lower than the second cell
because the next cell having the lower concentration of sample than the second
sample. We just stop there to analyze the next sample and the lecturer told us
to draw the peak that we get. She said that the printer cannot be used, so we
need to draw the peak on a piece of paper.
After the graph was drawn, we were teaches on how to
obtain the absorbance of each of the sample and how to determine the highest
peak that we get. Next, to obtain the absorbance, we need to complete the table
that has been prepared by the computer. The computer runs the sample, and we
can obtain the result that we need. The lecturer teaches us on how to zoom the
peak that we got and she asked us to take the picture of the graph so that it
would be easier for us to do the report. In the graph that we obtained, there
was also written the calculation that needs to be done to get the absorbance of
the sample. After done taking the pictures, the lecturer told us to switch off
the instrument and the computer because the other group cannot do the
experiment since it has been late at that time. There is another group that conducts
the experiment by using the Infrared Spectroscopy. They do not have much time
to continue doing the next experiment by using UV/Vis Spectroscopy and my group
does not have much time to do the next experiment by using IR spectroscopy.
When we were finish conducting the experiment by
using UV/Vis spectrometer, the laboratory assistant asked us to look for the
result that have been obtained by the gas chromatography. The result from the
gas chromatography had been shown and we just need to print out the result. We
need to print out the result following the steps stated in SOP too. This is
because to avoid us from printing the wrong result. We need to print four results
from the computer because the samples that were used by the demonstrators were four.
My friend print three result from the computer and I print the other one. After
done printing the results, the laboratory assistant asked us to switch off the
computer and the instrument. We have to be really patient because it takes time
to switch off them. To switch off the instrument, we had to wait for the status
of the instrument saying that ‘READY’.
While waiting for the status of the instrument to be
ready, my group go to the other instrument and my lecturer ask us to conduct
the experiment involving Spectronic 20 Spectrophotometer to analyze the soft
drink. Unfortunately, we cannot conduct the experiment because of some
technical mistake. We go out from the place to do the experiment involving Spectronic
20 Spectrophotometer. The laboratory assistant called us and told us that the
status of gas chromatography instrument was ‘READY’. My friend continues the
procedure until the computer was shut down. We also buy the laboratory manual
there since we do not have the laboratory manual for this subject. Actually, we
should conduct the experiment involving atomic absorption spectrometer but the
instrument cannot be used. So, we just take the picture of them. At least, we
have been seeing the instrument.
We were actually needed to conduct four experiments
which involve the instrument of AAS, UV/Vis Spectrometer, Gas Chromatography
and IR Spectroscopy. We can only conduct the experiment involving UV/Vis Spectrometer,
Gas Chromatography since AAS cannot be
used because it is under repair. In addition, we can conduct the experiments
with other two instruments which were Spctronic 20 Spectrophotometer and
Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) Spectroscopy.
Based on my experience conducting the experiment at
UiTM Kuala Pilah, I am very sure and I can say that if we want to conduct the
experiment with those instruments, we need to be very patient. The reason why I
say that are because, first, we need to prepare the sample with different concentration.
It may take time to make all of them to be done. Second, we need to be very
patient because it consumes long time to obtain the result when the computer
runs the sample. For example, when the computer runs the sample having the
concentration of 20 ppm, it takes about six to seven minutes to observe the
peak that was obtained by the computer. That is why it takes time to conduct
the experiment with those instruments. In addition, I also feel glad because I
had have an experience conducting the experiment with those experiment even
though we were going there during the semester nearly finished and all of us
got many tests and quizzes for the last week of the semester.
So, this is some of the pitcha that i take n i stole. Hahaha.
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| ni lah special slipper dlm lab dia. |
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| AAS under repair |
 |
| SOP utk UV/Vis Spect |
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| Tempat letak sample |
 |
| 2nd page of SOP |
 |
| Tempat letak sample yg lepas tutup |
 |
| Niyh dia Spectronic 20 Spectrophotometer |
 |
| ada blank dekat 1st cell |
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| 6 cell dah penuh |
 |
| graph utk sample yg 20 ppm concentration |
 |
| Absorbance |
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| niyh sample yg soft drink utk Spectonis 20 Spectrophotometer |
Oke, done for now. This evening, I and my classmate, the original of group B are having A day With PA. Our PA is Madam Lily. Yeay ! In sha ALLAH will update about that tomorrow. Heee. Daaaa~
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