PE 2400 Series II CHN Analyzer

The PE 2400 Series II CHNS/O Analyzer (Perkin Elmer, USA) serves for simultaneous determination of C, H, and N in organic compounds. In the CHN operating mode the instrument employs a classical combustion principle to convert the sample elements to simple gases (CO₂, H₂O and N₂). The PE 2400 analyzer performs automatically combustion and reduction, homogenization of product gases, separation and detection. A microbalance MX5 (Mettler Toledo) is used for precise weighing of samples. The accuracy of CHN determination is better than 0.30% abs. The instrument was installed in 1999.

AUTOPOL IV

The AUTOPOL IV (Rudolph Research Analytical, USA) is a microprocessor based automatic polarimeter for measurement of optical rotation (±89° Arc), specific rotation ±999.99° Arc) and concentration (0 - 99.9%). The Autopol IV comprises Glan Thomson calcite quartz prism polarizer. The highest resolution is 0.001° Arc for optical rotation, 0.001° below 90° Arc and 0.01° between 100 to 999.99° Arc for specific rotation and 0.001% for concentration. However, usually the resulting values of specific rotation are given with one decimal place. The polarimeter accepts sample cells up to 200 mm. The instrument was installed in 2001.

SPECTRO iQII

The simultaneous energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence benchtop spectrometer SPECTRO iQ II (Spectro Analytical Instruments, Germany) was purchased in 2008. The samples are excited by a forced air-cooled low-power Pd end-window X-ray tube combined with a doubly curved HOPG crystal for monochromatization and polarization of the primary tube radiation. A VITUS-Silicon Drift Detector (SDD) with Ta collimator is used to collect the fluorescence emission from the sample. The resolution of the SDD is better than 160 eV for Mn Kα. All radiation paths are flushed with helium. The measurement parameters are controlled by the system PC. The SPECTRO iQ II spectrometer allows a non-destructive simultaneous multi-element both qualitative and (after development of calibration method) quantitative analysis of elements from Na to U in different types of sample forms (except gases).

SPECTRO Arcos

SPECTRO Arcos (SPECTRO Analytical Instruments, Kleve, Germany) is an optical emission spectrometer (OES) with radial observation of inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The SPECTRO ARCOS features a Paschen-Runge spectrometer mount, employing the Optimized Rowland Circle Alignment (ORCA) technique with 32 linear CCD detectors. The optics is hermetically sealed and filled with argon. Thus, high optical transmission in the VUV is achieved, allowing the determination of non-metals as well as the use of prominent and interference free lines in this region. The wavelength range between 130 and 770 nm can be simultaneously analyzed, allowing complete spectrum capture within 2s. Hence, a new measurement is not required even if additional elements or lines are to be determined at a later date. All relevant ICP OES operating parameters are software controlled, allowing easy selection of the optimum operating conditions.