HomeInstrumentation

GC – Gas Chromatographs (Agilent 7890B and 8890 instruments with FID or MS detectors)

Used for quantitative determinations of volatile and/or semi-volatile organic compounds.

Detectors: FID (Flame Ionization Detector) or MS (Mass Spec) Detectors
Applications: analyses of complex mixtures, process development, unknowns, EPA protocol, deformulation, trace level analysis.

HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography)

Used for quantitative or semi-quantitative determinations of organic compounds.
Detectors: Photodiode Array (PDA), programmable UV-VIS, fluorescence, refractive index, Evaporative Light Scattering Detector (ELSD).

Methods can be developed for specific applications.
Applications: process development and monitoring, troubleshooting, deformulation, USP method validation, EPA and FDA protocols, trace level analysis.

GPC – Gel Permeation Chromatography

Used to determine the fingerprint MW distribution of polymers by size and defines the average molecular weight of polymers using appropriate standards.

The chromatograph is equipped with a RI (Refractive Index detector)
Applications: analysis of polymers, surfactants, deformulation, troubleshooting.

  

NMR – Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer (Bruker V/ A600 MHz and others)

Used for qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of organic compounds.

Equipped with multiple probes: a dual 1H/13C probe and a broadband tunable probe that can be used to analyze for a variety of NMR active nuclei (15N, 17O, 19F, 31P, 29Si, etc.). The most common nuclei analyzed are 1H, 13C and 31P.
Applications: structure determinations, unknown identification, deformulation, troubleshooting.

IR – Infrared Spectrometer (Fourier Transform – FTIR – Nicolet iS10)

Offers qualitative and semi-quantitative information about chemical bonds (C-H, C=O, C-O, C-N, etc.) in the samples analyzed.

An ATR accessory (with Ge/Si crystal) allows direct analyses of samples (paper, polymers, fibers,liquids, etc.) and their surfaces.
Applications: unknown identification, polymers, deformulation, structure verification.

UV-VIS – UV-Visible Spectrophotometer (Thermo Evolution 60S and Jenway 7205)

Used for qualitative or quantitative analysis of organic and inorganic materials.
Applications: UV absorbers, dyes, polymer films, process development.

ASE 350 – Accelerated Solvent Extractor (DIONEX)

An automated extraction apparatus which utilizes hot solvents under pressure to perform fast and solvent efficient sample extractions. It can be used to extract analytes from fabrics, fibers, polymers, soils, foods, etc.

Freezer Mill (SPEX CertiPrep, 6770)

An impact grinder cooled by liquid nitrogen, used for hard to grind samples (polymer pellets or films, fibers, etc.). Cryogenic grinding preserves the chemical and structural features that might be altered by heat during ordinary milling.

Particle Size (Shimadzu)

A light scattering based instrument capable of measuring the particle size distribution ranging from 0.1 to 350 µm.
Applications: solids dispersed in water or aerosols.

DSC – Differential Scanning Calorimetry (Mettler DSC- 3)

Used to study thermal transition of inorganic and organic materials, especially polymers.
Applications: heat capacity, glass transition, melting point, crystallinity, purity.

TGA – Thermogravimetric Analysis  

Used to determine the weight change in a material as temperature changes. It is complimentary to DSC to characterize material through their thermal properties.
Applications: drying, decomposition, oxidation

Viscometer (Brookfield Model DV-I+)

Used to measure fluid viscosity at a given shear rate.
Applications: measure of fluids resistance to flow

Rheometer – Brookfield DVNext (Cone/Plate with Temperature Control)

 Can be used as a traditional Brookfield rheometer for collection of single speed viscosity at a given shear rate or can be used to collect multiple data points through custom created programs such are temperature sweeps or shear sweeps. Is capable of measuring viscosities of highly viscous fluids