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.
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Chromatography is the main technique in the Unit. Supporting is based on separation, identification and isolation of chiral and achiral compounds. Regarding to liquid chromatography, the Unit has three High Performance Liquid Chromatography instruments, two analytical HPLCs equipped with diode array, fluorescence, evaporative light scattering and single quadrupole mass detectors and one semi preparative HPLC with UV-vis dual wavelength detector. Concerning gas chromatography instrumentation, the Unit has two GC, one 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 (DSC) and determination of volatile compounds and/or thermal decomposition (TG). 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 a potenciostat. Main applications are the determination of water content, acidic constants (pKa) and redox processes (voltammetries, electrolysis, etc).
Moreover, Unit technicians manage open use instrumentation such as glove boxes and solvent purification systems.