Instrumentation

The lab has a single FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectrometer for the analysis of liquids and solids using the attached diamond ATR accessory. Solid samples (not films) should be milled or ground to a powder for best performance.

• Manufacturer: Thermo Scientific
• Model: Nicolet iS10
• Accessory: Smart iTX (diamond ATR – attenuated total reflectance)
• Brochure

The lab has a single Freezer Dryer / Lyophilizer for removal of water from samples. Samples should be frozen prior to using this instrument (a -80 freezer is available while instrument cools to the working temperature).

• Manufacturer: LabConco
• Model: FreezeZone 2.5
• Details

The lab has multiple GC (Gas Chromatography) systems for the analysis of organic compounds in water, solvent, or gas.

• Manufacturer (all): Shimadzu Scientific.

(1) GC #3 – w/ ECD (Electron Capture Detector) and Restek RTX-624 (30m) column or user provided column(s) [Installed Fall 2023]

(2) GC #4 (for gas analysis) w/ both FID (Flame Ionization Detector) and TCD (Thermo Conductivity Detector); installed with system-specific Packed Columns

(3) GC #5 – w/ FID (Flame Ionization Detector) and a variety of columns to choose from [Stabilwax-DA (15m), Stabilwax-DA (30m), Restek RTX-5 (30m)] or user provided column(s)

(4) GC-HS (aka GC #6) – w/ FID (Flame Ionization Detector) and Headspace Autosampler for the analysis of liquid or headspace samples ; installed with a Restek RTX-5 (30m) column or user provided column(s). [Installed Fall 2023]

Samples must be extracted into a solvent (unless using the Stabilwax column on GC5 for fatty acid analysis – can analyze water samples). A set of calibration standards should be prepared in the same solvent.

The lab has a single GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) system for the analysis of organics.

• Manufacturer: Shimadzu Scientific
• Model: GC-2020 with QP2010S Mass Spectrometer detector
• Column: Restek RXI-5MS (30m, 0.25mm ID, 0.25um) or user provided column

Samples must be extracted into a solvent. A set of calibration standards should be prepared in the same solvent.

The lab has a single HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) system for the analysis of a variety of analytes from anions to sugars.

• Manufacturer: Shimadzu Scientific
• Model: AT vp system
• Detectors: Diode Array (UV-Vis); Refractive Index (RI); Fluorescence
• Column(s): Restek Ultra Aqueous C18 (4.6 x 150mm, 5um); Bio-Rad Aminex HPX-87H (300 x 7.8 mm, 9um) or user provided column(s)
• New Pump, Controller, and Software Fall 2023
• New Autosampler Fall 2024

All samples must be filtered with a 0.45um filter and in 1.7-2.0mL autosampler vials. A set of calibration standards should be prepared under the same conditions as the samples.

The lab has a single IC (Ion Chromatography) system for the analysis of anions OR cations.

• Manufacturer: Thermo Scientific
• Model: Dionex Aquion
• Detectors: Suppressed Conductivity
• Installed Fall 2023

All samples must be filtered with a 0.45um filter. A set of calibration standards should be prepared under the same conditions as the samples. Sample vials and caps are provided.

The lab has a single ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometry) system for the analysis of Metals.

• Manufacturer: Agilent
• Model: 5800 VDV ICP-OES
• Installed: December 2022

Liquid samples must be filtered using a 0.45um filter, adjusted with concentrated Nitric Acid (HNO3) to pH <2, and brought to the lab in 15mL disposable centrifuge tubes (like THESE). A set of calibration standards should be prepared under the same conditions (pH <2 with HNO3, 15mL tubes).

The lab has a single Micropore Size and Chemisorption Analyzer (aka BET) for gas sorption analysis.

• Manufacturer: Quantachrome
• Model: autosorb IQ
• Brochure

The lab has a single epi Fluorescent microscope for both fluorescence and bright field microscopy.

• Manufacturer: Zeiss
• Model: Imager Z2
• New Camera and Software (July 2022)

The lab has a single Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyzer. Samples should be in powder form for best performance.

• Manufacturer: Beckman Coulter
• Model: LS 13 320
• Details

The lab has a single Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA).

• Manufacturer: TA Instruments
• Model: TGA 550
• Details

The lab has a single Total Organic Carbon (TOC) – Total Nitrogen (TN) Instrument for Liquid OR Solid sample analysis.

• Manufacturer: Shimadzu Scientific
• Model: TOC-L + TNM-L + SSM-5000A (solids)
• Autosampler (liquid samples): ASI-L (68 x 40mL vial capacity)
• Installed: December 2023 / Spring 2024
• Details / Brochure

Liquid Samples (up to 1000mg/L C or N): This instrument can measure Total Carbon (TC), Inorganic Carbon (IC), Non-Purgeable Organic Carbon (NPOC), and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) using a non-dispersive infrared detector (NDIR). The instrument can also measure Total Nitrogen (TN) using a Chemiluminescence detector. Minimum sample volume needed is 20mL. Vials and caps are provided, but must be rinsed and left for cleaning post analysis. [NOTE: vials/caps are washed in the lab dishwasher. Vials are then dried in a 103 degree C oven overnight, cooled, recapped, and returned to the lab. Caps/septa are not put into the oven.] *** If you require high sensitivity, low concentration (< 1 mg C/L) – you may want to consider the high sensitivity TOC instrument in this Core facility. ***

Solid Samples (or liquid samples with suspended solids) (up to 30mg C): This instrument can measure Total Carbon (TC) and Inorganic Carbon (IC) using the SSM-5000A Solid Sample Combustion unit.