Chromatography and Power of Hydrogen Ion (pH)
This few days, I was thinking of the experiments that can be done during this Saturday Mentoring Club session. It has took me quite a long time, many experiments could be possible but just without the appropriate equipment or just one of it, the experiment could not be implemented.
Yesterday, I was exploring how to make a liquid chromatography using the 6 colours in M&M and my column is about 15cm but just that I was unable to select an appropriate stationary and mobile phase. My stationary phase was plastic powder that is very fine but the problem is that I could not compress the powder to a higher bulk density to allow more interaction between the stationary phrase and the sample. I also fail to select the correct mobile phrase. Paper chromatography also fail to work so I gave up on trying, maybe should try that after I have the appropriate equipment and a good understanding in its theory.
The next thing I tried was to make pH indicator and this trial was successful. What type of plants change its colour when the pH of the soil change? Some plants such as cherries. red cabbage, some flowers such as rose, blueberries and beet root can be used to make pH indicators. I use red cabbage because it is cheap, have higher resolution and easier to extract its pigment. Firstly, I pour 100 Centigrade of water into the red cabbages before I blend it inside the mixture to cut it into juice and pour into a container, add some salt and you are done with it. Salt to preserve the pH indicator.
The left side is Blench, then the second right is Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate, The second left is pure water and the right hand side is Acetic Acid (Vinegar). I am going to buy Vitamin C (Absorbic acid) later to see how is the result.
Yesterday, I was exploring how to make a liquid chromatography using the 6 colours in M&M and my column is about 15cm but just that I was unable to select an appropriate stationary and mobile phase. My stationary phase was plastic powder that is very fine but the problem is that I could not compress the powder to a higher bulk density to allow more interaction between the stationary phrase and the sample. I also fail to select the correct mobile phrase. Paper chromatography also fail to work so I gave up on trying, maybe should try that after I have the appropriate equipment and a good understanding in its theory.
The next thing I tried was to make pH indicator and this trial was successful. What type of plants change its colour when the pH of the soil change? Some plants such as cherries. red cabbage, some flowers such as rose, blueberries and beet root can be used to make pH indicators. I use red cabbage because it is cheap, have higher resolution and easier to extract its pigment. Firstly, I pour 100 Centigrade of water into the red cabbages before I blend it inside the mixture to cut it into juice and pour into a container, add some salt and you are done with it. Salt to preserve the pH indicator.
The left side is Blench, then the second right is Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate, The second left is pure water and the right hand side is Acetic Acid (Vinegar). I am going to buy Vitamin C (Absorbic acid) later to see how is the result.
Thanx for the chromatography info...I can use it for my paper materials