Microanalysis

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 Slovenian Nobel Prize winner Fritz Pregl.

Methods

The most known methods used in microanalysis are:

• Most of the spectroscopy methods: ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray fluorescence also mass spectrometry
• Most of the chromatography methods : high-performance liquid chromatography, Gel permeation chromatography;
• Some thermal analysis methods: differential scanning calorimetry, Thermogravimetric analysis;
• Electrophoresis;
• Field flow fractionation;
• X-ray diffraction.

Advantages

Compared to normal analyses methods, microanalysis:

• Requires less time for preparation
• Requires less sample and solvent and thus produces less waste and is more cost effective.

Disadvantages

• Handling of small quantities is not always simple.
• Higher accuracy of weighing is necessary (e.g. use of accurate balance).