Element Identification

Optical plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES)

Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) enables the simultaneous, qualitative and quantitative detection of multiple elements in a variety of samples, with typical measurement ranges between µg/L (ppb) and mg/L (ppm).

Contact person: Falko Geisler, Markus Reutz, Lydia Kiesel

Eine Chemikerin legt einen Schlauch in ein ICP-OES ein

Plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

ICP-MS - inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry - is an indispensable tool in (ultra) trace analysis. It is based on a high-energy argon plasma, which efficiently ionizes the elements contained in the sample. The ions are then separated according to their mass/charge in an electric field and recorded element-specifically. This versatile technique not only enables the precise detection of almost all elements of the periodic table in a wide concentration range from ng/L (ppt) to mg/L (ppm), but can also be used for nanoparticle analysis (sNP-ICP-MS = single Nano Particle ICP-MS).

Contact person: Falko Geisler, Markus Reutz, Sandra Nemrava, Lydia Kiesel

Ein Chemiker in Reinraumkleidung arbeitet an einem ICP-MS

Ion Chromatography (IC)

The proven method of ion chromatography allows the separation and quantification of ions in samples to be analyzed. Here, the different affinity of the ions to the stationary phases in the separation columns is utilized, which is reflected in assignable retention times. With the aid of preconcentration columns, concentrations of ng/L (ppt) to µg/L (ppb) of anions, cations and weak organic acids (WOAs) can be reliably determined.

Contact person: Falko Geisler, Markus Reutz, Lydia Kiesel

Ein Chemiker arbeitet an einem Ionenchromatographen (IC)

GF-AAS

Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) is a proven method in analytical chemistry for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of numerous elements (metals, metalloids) in predominantly aqueous solutions. The basis of AAS is absorption, i.e. the attenuation of radiation caused by interaction with free atoms. The comparison of a sample-free reference spectrum with a spectrum of the analyzed sample allows conclusions to be drawn about its composition, as each element has characteristic line spectra. The AAS typically works in analysis ranges from 0.2 to 50 µg/L (ppb).

Contact person: Falko Geisler, Markus Reutz, Sandra Nemrava, Lydia Kiesel