Difference Between Micro Analysis and Semi Micro Analysis

The key difference between micro analysis and semi micro analysis is that micro analysis is used to analyze material having less than 10mg mass whereas semi micro analysis is used to analyze material having around a 100-500mg mass.

Micro and semi-micro analysis are two types of qualitative analysis, which is the analysis of material based on their properties instead of their quantities. Micro analysis refers to the analysis of material having particles sizes in the micro-scale. Different methods can be used for micro analysis. Semi micro analysis, on the other hand, is a developed method of micro analysis.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Micro Analysis 
3. What is Semi Micro Analysis
4. Side by Side Comparison – Micro Analysis vs Semi Micro Analysis in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Micro Analysis?

Micro analysis is a technique of qualitative analysis that analyzes material with less than 10mg mass. It is useful as a chemical identification method and used in qualitative analysis of very small amounts of chemical substances. The mass of the sample can be either 10mg or 1 mL. Also, we can use it for the analysis of substances with a very small surface area (about 1 cm2).

Different methods can be used for micro analysis. These methods include spectroscopic analysis methods such as UV spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, X-ray spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, etc.  and some chromatographic analysis methods such as HPLC. In addition, some thermal analysis techniques, including thermos-gravimetric analysis, fall under this category.

There are some advantages and disadvantages of using a micro-analysis technique. The major advantages of micro analysis include the requirement of less time for sample preparation and the requirement of less sample and solvent amounts. It also produces less waste and is cost-effective. The disadvantages of micro analysis include the difficulty of handling small samples and the necessity of high accuracy.

What is Semi Micro Analysis?

Semi micro analysis is the analysis of substances with a mass in the micro-scale. Usually, the sample of this type of analysis has 100-500mg mass and 1.0mL volume. Since these techniques work with very small sample amounts, it is necessary to avoid any contaminations. We can often categorize semi micro analysis as normal qualitative analysis techniques, and these methods are easy to handle. They are comparatively less expensive. However, the accuracy of the final result is affected by any contaminants in the sample; thus, the sample should be carefully and cleanly handled.

What is the Difference Between Micro Analysis and Semi Micro Analysis?

The key difference between micro analysis and semi micro analysis is that micro analysis is used to analyze material having less than 10mg mass whereas semi micro analysis is used to analyze material having around a 100-500mg mass. Some advantages of micro analysis include its high accuracy, smaller sample size, less waste production, requirement of a short time, and cost-effectiveness. Meanwhile, advantages of semi micro analysis include less waste production and easy handling.

The following infographic summarizes the difference between micro analysis and semi micro analysis.

Summary – Micro Analysis vs Semi Micro Analysis

Qualitative analysis is the analysis of material based on their properties instead of their quantities. Micro and semi-micro analysis are two types of qualitative analysis. The key difference between micro analysis and semi micro analysis is that micro analysis is used to analyze material having less than 10mg mass whereas semi micro analysis is used to analyze material having around a 100-500mg mass.

Reference:

1. Helmenstine, Anne Marie. “Qualitative Analysis in Chemistry.” ThoughtCo, Feb. 11, 2020, Available here.
2. “What Is Semi-Micro & Micro Analysis. What Are Their Advantages?” What Is Semi-Micro & Micro Analysis. What Are Their Advantages?, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “A laboratory” By Murat Kizaibek – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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