Spectroscopy:
ICP-OES:
ICP-OES stands for optical emission spectroscopy via inductively linked plasma (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry). This appliance allows the simultaneous determination of many metals and some non-metals in aqueous solutions. Solid materials are put into the form of a solution by using acid digestion and then can be examined for their components as well.
Typical applications are:
- Wastewater analysis of trace amounts
- Analysis of solid material samples after acid digestion
- Analysis of metal alloys for their chemical composition
- Quantitative analysis of plastic samples regarding their metal/cations content from additives
- Heavy metal- analysis of wood, dust and soil samples
Cold vapour- atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS):
Mercury content in aqueous samples can be quantitatively analysed by using the cold vapour AAS. Solid material samples are put into a solution through acid digestion and can, therefore, be analysed as well.
Determination of mercury content:
- Indoor pollutants on material samples (dust, wood, soil samples)
- Saliva and water
- Material samples regarding the RoHS-conformity
X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF):
The XRF uses fluorescence radiation for analysis. Elements from sodium up to uranium can be proven in solid and liquid samples. For the analysis, the samples should be as even as possible. The measurement can be performed with a measuring spot size from 0,3 mm to 10 mm diameter.
Typical applications are:
- Layer thickness measurements, for example, of galvanic contacts
- Measurements for RoHS-conformity
- Carcinogenicity index (KI-Index) of mineral wool
Infrared spectroscopy (IR):
IR-spectroscopy is mainly used for the analysis of individual organic compounds. The most common method in the IR-spectroscopy is the ATR-technology (attenuated total reflection). Hereby, the sample should be approx. 2 mm2 big. Significantly smaller samples can be analysed with the IR-microscope which is linked to IR-spectrometer.
This enables additional analyses in the reflection and transmission mode, or exact measurements with a micro ATR-crystal made of germanium.
Samples can be identified precisely by comparing the spectrum with the home-made and the commercial spectra database.
Typical application areas are:
- Identification of organic particles/residues
- Determination of absence of silicone
- Reference analysis of fats in components
- The composition of multilayer films
UV/VIS-spectrophotometer:
The dual- beam-UV/VIS-spectrophotometer is used to determine the concentration of coloured solutions within the visible (VIS) or within the ultraviolet (UV) range. The colour intensity of these sample solutions can be determined from the concentration of the examined substance in the sample solution through the creation of calibration functions.
Because many substances are colourless or rather exhibit an UV-activity, they are transferred to coloured products through a reaction with special reagents. High specificity can be reached by choosing suitable reagents, which means that only the sought substance reacts to a coloured product.
Typical applications are:
- Examination of aqueous solutions for ammonium, chloride, chromate (chromium VI), cyanide, nitrite, phosphate or sulphide
- Examination of grinding cooling emulsions for formaldehyde
- Determination of chromium (VI) on metallic surfaces