Instrumentation

Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry, Macromolecular Characterization

  • GC with wide variety of injection technologies (PTV, on-column, split/splitless, cold trap, dynamic and static headspace and pyrolysis) and detection techniques (FID, ECD, NCD, TCD) and coupling to MS.
  • Comprehensive GCxGC coupled to FID and MS.
  • HPLC (all known separation types including chiral chromatography) coupled to a variety of detection techniques (UV/VIS, RI, ELSD, fluorescence, electrochemical, conductivity).
  • LC-MS: LC-TOF-MS, LC-QIT-MS, LC-3Q-MS, MALDI-TOF-MS.
  • Probe-MS (EI and CI ionization) and FIA-MS (ESI).
  • Molecular characterization by low and high temperature SEC, coupled to UV/VIS, RI, IR, viscometry and MALLS; analytical and preparative TREF and bulk viscometry (Ubbelohde).
  • Additive analysis using a reference database of over 1500 compounds.

Molecular Spectroscopy

  • NMR spectroscopy, both liquid (up to 600 MHz) and solid state (400 MHz), various nuclei (1H, 13C, 19F, 29Si, 31P). Temperatures up to 140°C.
  • Optical spectroscopy: FTIR, FTIR microscopy, FTIR imaging, rapid IR, ATR, FT-Raman, Raman microscopy, Raman imaging, UV/VIS.

Morphology and Surface Characterization

  • Microscopy: Optical Microscopy, SEM and TEM (both with EDX elemental analysis).
  • Chemical and physical surface analysis by AFM, XPS, TOF-SIMS and inverse gas chromatography (IGC).
  • Molecular morphology: XRD: WAXS, SAXS, micro-XRD, real-time XRD and solid state NMR (e.g. network characterization).

Elemental Analysis and Classical Chemical Analysis

  • Elemental analysis by XRF (WD and ED), micro-XRF, NAA, ICP-AES, ICP-MS, and organic EA (C, H, N analysis).
  • Titration, density measurements, moisture determination, ash content, organic and inorganic carbon analysis.

Thermal Analysis

  • Calorimetric: DSC, HPer DSC, microcalorimetry.
  • Gravimetric: TGA, vacuum TGA, video imaging TGA.

Process Analysis, Process Safety and Radioisotope Applications

  • In process analysis e.g. development of on-/in- and at-line analytical methods for bench, pilot and full scale plant environment by NIR, Raman, IR, GC, ultrasonic, conductivity and pH measurements.
  • Experimental testing of flammability of dust, liquid, vapor and gases, explosivity of dust, investigation of exothermic reactions and decompositions, testing of thermal stability and reactivity of materials.
  • On-line troubleshooting in plants using radioisotopes.
  • Radiation safety and inspections, investigation into natural radioactive materials (NORM), assistance for applications for nuclear act licenses.