UInorganic chemistry labs require specialized equipment. Without this equipment, inorganic chemists cannot conduct experiments, observation, and research projects.
What Is Inorganic Chemistry?
Inorganic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with inorganic, non-carbon-hydrogen bond-based molecules. Inorganic chemistry studies some substances that are familiar, like salts and metals, but also studies more unusual compounds. It examines how all of these compounds react.
Inorganic chemistry labs play an important role in modern industry. Researchers use them to study and develop reaction catalysts, polymers, fuels, surfactants, new materials, superconductors, highly technical ceramic components, and pharmaceuticals.
What Is Used In An Inorganic Chemistry Lab?
While no two labs are identical, there are many tools that are found in most inorganic chemistry labs.
Lab Basics: Storage Space
No matter what other equipment you have in an inorganic chemistry lab, you must have storage space for your small tools and chemical reagents. Inorganic chemistry often deals with chemical reagents that have strong reactions. Some of these are caustic, or fragile and easily destabilized.
This calls for highly precise and carefully calculated safety standards. Inorganic chemistry labs need secure organization and storage for these chemicals.
For many inorganic chemistry labs, custom stainless steel casework is the ideal storage solution for the bulk of what they need to store. It is used along with fridges, freezers, and other climate-controlled storage space.
Lab Basics: Bench Space
Bench space refers to the countertops and tables to perform lab tasks. These act as spaces for computer workstations, equipment workstations, observation spaces, and other uses.
In an inorganic chemistry lab, inert countertops like stainless steel or epoxy resin are ideal choices, because they won’t react with any accidental spills.
Customizing your lab’s bench space is ideal because it lets you set up the best workflow for the space you have. A good workflow and sufficient space are vital to the operation of an inorganic chemistry lab– if the workspace is too crowded, you run the risk of spills.
Depending on the equipment your lab uses, lab designers may also use custom benchwork for machines like mass spectrometers or microscopes.
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
Method of Operation: Chemicals and the products of the reaction are placed in this machine. This is done to analyze the way they react to radiation and light.
Purpose: An AAS detects elements through the application of characteristic wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
Beakers, Flasks, and Laboratory Glassware
Method of Operation: Beakers, flasks, and cylinders are used to hold and heat liquids. Have them with a cap or leave them open and choose from a variety of shapes and sizes.
Purpose: To store liquids and perform reactions.
Biological Safety Cabinets
Method of operation: Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs) work by providing an aseptic environment and containment for volatile chemicals. Inorganic chemistry laboratories often use Class II BSCs as standard. Labs using more hazardous reagents may use Class III BSCs.
Purpose: BSCs protect laboratory workers and the surrounding environment from chemicals and the products of their reactions.
Buchner Funnel
Method of Operation: Buchner funnels allow you to filter liquids by pulling them through qualitative filter paper and perforations in the top of the funnel using a vacuum pump.
Purpose: Buchner Funnels are used in inorganic chemistry laboratories for vacuum-assisted filtration. They aid in the separation of liquid substances.
Burette (or Buret)
Method of Operation: Burettes are narrow tubes filled with liquid that have two valves. These allow you to set a highly precise amount of liquid to flow through. Adjusting these valves changes the rate and volume of flow through the tube.
Purpose: Measure precisely how much liquid you deliver in titration.
Centrifuge
Method of operation: A centrifuge uses a motor to spin liquid samples at high speed, moving the denser components to the outside of the test tube and allowing the solids to settle completely and rapidly at the bottom of the tube. Liquid can then be drained off, allowing a dry pellet to be analyzed.
Purpose: Centrifuges separate heterogeneous mixtures into their various components based on the different densities of the components. They remove of preservatives, experimental additives and other substances, when in use. Centrifuges also spin down and isolate solids produced by reactions.
Chromatography Equipment
Method of operation: Use chromatography equipment to separate and purify the components of a mixture for later use. Apply this equipment for preparative or analytical techniques as well, if necessary.
Purpose: Chromatography equipment allows the separation and the qualitative and quantitative analysis of complex mixtures and compounds.
Electron Microscopy Equipment
Method of Operation: Coat tiny quantities of material with metallic alloys, then scan them with a laser in a vacuum chamber.
Purpose: To determine particle size, shape, and texture.
Laminar Flow Hoods
Method of operation: Laminar flow hoods are used in a wide array of applications. They keep airborne particles away from a workspace and lab operators. The air from a laminar flow hood goes back into the environment untreated. Handle only non-hazardous materials in this type of work zone.
Purpose: Laminar flow cabinets provide airflow that helps keep the working environment free of contaminants. They prevent airborne contamination by providing uniform HEPA-filtered air flow across the work area.
Magnetometry Equipment
Method of Operation: Use of various types of magnetometers to measure metallic reactions to magnetic fields.
Purpose: Magnetometers measure the strength and direction of magnetic fields. They determine the magnetization of materials.
Mass Spectrometer
Method of operation: Mass spectrometers sort and weigh ionized molecular fragments, a mass spectrometer can identify different molecular compounds based on their weight.
Purpose: Determine how chemicals change during a reaction and identify the products they create.
pH Meter
Method of operation: pH meters use electrodes to measure hydrogen ion activity in water-based solutions.
Purpose: pH meters measure the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.
Polarized Light Microscope
Method of operation: Polarized light microscopes reveal chemical structures like crystallization that cannot be seen under normal light conditions. The lenses let you see how chemical structures diffract and reflect light.
Purpose: To observe chemical structures invisible without magnification.
Separatory Funnel
Method of Operation: These conical funnels have valves at the bottom that selectively allow liquids through.
Purpose: Used to separate layers of immiscible liquids or for dropping liquids.
Vacuum Flask
Method of Operation: Using a Buchner funnel and vacuum line, vacuum flasks have the air pumped out of them, creating a pressure-free environment.
Purpose: For filtering solutions or for removing the solvent under reduced pressure.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction Instrumentation
Method of Operation: Grind the solid material into a fine powder, homogenize, and analyze it with X-rays.
Purpose: For the phase identification of crystalline material.
Need Help With Your Inorganic Chemistry Lab?
If you’re planning on building or renovating your inorganic chemistry lab and want to discuss custom casework and lab benches to meet the needs of your floor plan, OnePointe Solutions can help. Call us at (866) 612-7312 to speak to a lab design specialist today.