Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Smith, Eugene T.

Abstract

Scientific identification requires precise and quantifiable discrimination between different volatile substances in real-world samples; affordable, effective and rapid gas chromatography has been crucial towards that end (James, p. 170). In this study, the concentration of butanone (also known as methyl ethyl ketone, MEK) in generic nail polish remover was detected with an analog gas chromatograph fitted with a thermal conductivity detector, and digitally converted for display on a Microsoft Excel worksheet using an mbed LPC 1768 microcontroller. A quantitative measure of butanone in the original sample was obtained through the method of standard addition with deionized water as the analyte, and was found to be 20%. This experiment is appropriate for a quantitative analysis, instrumental methods or possibly a general chemistry course, since students could gain experience with instrumental analysis and the concept of standard addition by using cheap and readily available materials.

Comments

Includes bibliography.

Extent

14 p.

Identifier

FAUHT00000

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