ERIC Number: EJ1445402
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Sep
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9584
EISSN: EISSN-1938-1328
Portable Quantitative Chemical Analysis: Digital Image Colorimetric Detection of Fe(III) with Curcumin Paper
Supacha Wirojsaengthong; Wanlapa Aeungmaitrepirom; Fuangfa Unob; Saowarux Fuangswasdi; Puttaruksa Varanusupakul; Kanphitcha Mueangdech; Thirachat Treetos; Pumidech Puthongkham
Journal of Chemical Education, v100 n9 p3604-3611 2023
Hands-on experiences in analytical chemistry laboratories are essential to improve students' technical skills on handling analytical glassware and instruments, but the coronavirus pandemic in 2020-2021 disrupted such learning activities. Thus, alternative remote activities are required to supplement practical skills. In this work, a new portable experiment to determine the concentration of Fe(III) by digital image colorimetry with curcumin paper is described. This experiment utilized complexation between Fe(III) and curcumin on a paper substrate, which changed from yellow to red-orange. Then, the RGB intensity changes, obtained using smartphones/devices, were plotted against the Fe(III) standard concentration to construct an external standard calibration curve for determining Fe(III) in unknown solutions. Using students' own smartphone/device enhanced their interest, and the portable small-scale experiment kit enabled a remote hands-on experience at their residence (Lab@Home). The experiment had been implemented both in Lab@Home and in-person formats for three semesters with 591 second-year students majoring in chemistry and other sciences, showing a satisfactory self-evaluated outcome (4.27 from 5) and post-test score (81.5%). The proposed experiment is a showcase to introduce modern analytical chemistry through smartphone/device and digital image colorimetry, while enhancing students' skills and interests in analytical chemistry laboratory.
Descriptors: Science Laboratories, Chemistry, Science Instruction, COVID-19, Pandemics, School Closing, Distance Education, Science Experiments, Laboratory Experiments, Telecommunications, Handheld Devices, College Students, College Science, Program Effectiveness, Technology Uses in Education
Division of Chemical Education, Inc. and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A