High-Sensitivity Analysis of Formic Acid Using GCBID in Artificial Photosynthesis Research

Introduction

Artificial photosynthesis refers to a technique of creating high-energy materials using photocatalysis and solar energy, and is expected to play a role in the development of next-generation renewable energy. In the photochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction, which is currently a research theme, there are instances in which formic acid is the main reaction product. Analysis of formic acid is typically conducted by liquid chromatography, ion chromatography or capillary electrophoresis, etc. However, since analysis of the formic acid dissolved in the organic solvent requires at least a ten-fold dilution of the solvent using water or mobile phase, such a low-concentration analysis can sometimes be difficult. On the other hand, since a gas chromatograph (GC) can directly measure organic solvents as is without dilution, use of the BID-2010 Plus for high-sensitivity detection of formic acid permits analysis at the ppm level. This Application News introduces an example in which the GC-BID is used for analysis of formic acid in an actual sample consisting of the solvent N ,N - dimethylacetamide, used in the research of artificial photosynthesis. Also, regarding analysis of formic acid at low concentrations, additional cautionary notes can be found in Application News G279.

October 8, 2014 GMT