Exploring Improvements in Kinetics Instructional Laboratory Using Continuous-Flow Technology
GUO Jia1, ZHANG Gu-Yan1, MA Yan-Zi1,2, WANG Yan1,2, HE Peng1,2**
1. College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering,Peking University,Beijing 100871,China; 2. National Demonstration Center for Experimental Chemistry Education,Peking University,Beijing 100871,China
Abstract The iodine clock reaction is a classic experiment in general chemistry for determining reaction rates and activation energy,yet the conventional batch method suffers from high reagent consumption and significant measurement errors.To address these limitations,this work designed a continuous-flow experimental platform where the distance required for the reaction mixture to turn blue in a transparent flow tube is measured and used to calculate kinetic parameters such as the rate constant and activation energy.To overcome the subjectivity of visual endpoint detection,smartphone-based colorimetry and a fiber-optic spectrophotometer were introduced,improving detection sensitivity and accuracy and reducing the error in activation energy measurements to below 2%.Compared with the traditional batch method,the continuous-flow platform not only mitigates the aforementioned drawbacks but also integrates multiple detection techniques,exposing students to advanced analytical methods and providing more comprehensive training in experimental skills and innovative thinking.
GUO Jia, ZHANG Gu-Yan, MA Yan-Zi, WANG Yan, HE Peng. Exploring Improvements in Kinetics Instructional Laboratory Using Continuous-Flow Technology[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Education, 2026, 47(18): 34-40.
