Session: Undergraduate Research Posters: Analytical Chemistry:

This project sought to use two semi-destructive techniques, cyclic and square wave voltammetry, to analyze and compare different pen inks at glassy carbon electrodes. This process was supplemented with thin layer chromatography, and applied to inks of varying color and brand. Pure pigments, such as copper phthalocyanine, were also analyzed by mixing them with silica gel prior to application to the glassy carbon electrode. Three different electrolyte solutions, 0.10 M KNO₃, 0.10 M 7.4 pH phosphate buffer, and a 0.10 M MOPS buffer, were used for comparison, although the MOPS buffer did not give useful results. Cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, and thin layer chromatography were found to be rapid and effective ways of differentiating and comparing pen inks. Efforts are continuing to effectively remove small amounts of ink from a paper substrate for further analysis.

Graham Cheek

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