Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description To introduce the student to the fundamental theory and practices of modern separation techniques. To provide the necessary technical background on analytical instrumentation to allow the student to understand the bases of different techniques and be able select an appropriate separation technique for a given analysis. To introduce the student to the application of chromatography in a wide range of environments e.g. industrial, pharmaceutical, environmental. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Understand the thermodynamic and molecular basis for equilibrium separation. 2. To introduce and explain the concept of Chromatographic Resolution (RS), define the Resolution Equation and chromatographic parameters and to show how these parameters can be determined and optimized. 3. To illustrate and explain the principle of Band Broadening in HPLC, to define the Van Deemter equation and explain the terms of the equation and demonstrate the effects of these parameters on the efficiency of chromatographic peaks. 4. Understand chromatographic principles, method development approaches, technical instrumentation requirements and sample preparation as it relates to analytical techniques including (i) gas chromatography, (ii) high performance liquid chromatography including ion chromatography, (iii) capillary electrophoresis and (iv) mass spectrometry. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Chemical Equilibria chemical equilibria; activity, acid-base chemistry, formation constants, solubility products Thermodynamics of separation distribution coefficients, chemical potential and conditions for equilibrium, solvent extractions Molecular basis for equilibrium separation the effect of molecular structure on the distribution of a compound between two phases Chromatography separation definition and classification of chromatographic mechanisms, sorption isotherms, retention behaviour, distribution co-efficients, capacity factor, column selectivity, column efficiency, band broadening theory, diffusion, mass transfer, resolution, quantitative methods Sample preparation solid phase extraction and derivatisation Gas chromatography principles, stationary phases and instrumentation High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) classification, LC instrumentation (pumps, injectors, columns, detectors), stationary phases and chromatographic modes (reversed-phase, normal-phase, ion-exchange, size-exclusion, affinity) and applications Capillary electrophoresis (CE) classification, basic CE concepts (m, v, EOF, N and R), instrumentation used (power supply, injectors, capillaries, detectors), CE modes (CZE, CGE, MECC, CEC, chiral CE) Ion chromatography ion suppression, ion interaction/ion-pair, ion exchange Mass Spectrometry GC and LC-MS instrumentation and basic interpretation of spectra | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
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Other Resources
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