Electronics Solutions

Infrared Spectroscopy (Mid-IR, Near-IR, FTIR)

Structure determination, identification, functional group analysis. Qualitative characterization and quantitative analysis.

The absorption of infrared radiation due to vibrational motions in molecules is measured.  Characteristic vibrational frequencies in spectra provide distinct identification of molecules.

Solid, Liquid, Gas, Applicable to most molecules except for homonuclear diatomics,  (N2, etc.).

Transmission, reflectance, and micro analysis.   Near-IR useful for on-line process monitoring.

Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrophotometry  (UV/Vis)

Quantitative analysis of trace aromatic components, discoloration problems, or detection of UV cure system constituents.

The absorption of ultraviolet or visible light is measured. Molecular absorption in the UV and visible regions of  the spectrum is dependent on the electronic structure  of the molecule.

Soluble in non-absorbing solvents.

High sensitivity and precision. Gives little information about molecular structure in many instances.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (Solid and Liquid State NMR)

Structure determination, identification, molecular conformation, dynamic measurements.

Nuclei having a magnetic dipole are observed in a strong magnetic field.

Solids, soluble solids and liquids.

Medium to low sensitivity. Only certain nuclei respond.

Gas Chromatography  (GC)

Analysis of volatile multi-component materials, typically for ppm - percent level quantitation.

Mixtures are separated on an analytical column as components partition between vapor phase and stationary phase.

Molecules with vapor pressure above 1 torr at sample inlet temperature (up to 300°C).

Not applicable to low volatility materials. Sample introduction techniques include headspace, direct injection, thermal desorption, SPME.

Liquid Chromatography (HPLC, SEC/GPC)

Separation, identification and quantitation of individual components of a mixture.  Molecular weight (or size) distribution in polymers.

Mixtures are separated by selective retention of components on an analytical column.

Material must be soluble in suitable solvents permitting sample detection.

Available detectors includes RI, UV, Viscometry, Light Scattering, FTIR, ELSD, MS.  GPC3 , FIPA and high temperature capabilities.

Hyphenated Techniques (GC-MS)

Useful for separation of mixtures and identification of individual components.

Interface between two or more analytical techniques.

Generally gas or liquid.

Powerful for structural characterization.

Optical Microscopy (Stereo, Conventional)

Sample appearance including shape, size, texture and uniformity. Contaminant characterization/separation.

Image is enlarged and viewed using reflected or transmitted light. Phase, DIC, polarized light, hot and cold stage capabilities.

Solid or liquid.  

Few limitations. Magnification 5X to 1000X.  0.5 micron resolution.

IR Microscopy

Structure determination, identification, functional group analysis on small samples or small features/phases within a sample.

The absorption of infrared radiation due to vibrational motions in molecules is measured.  Characteristic vibrational frequencies in spectra provide distinct identification of molecules.

Solid or Liquid. Applicable to most molecules except for homonuclear diatomics,  (N2, etc.).

Sample preparation needs vary.  15 micron spatial resolution.

Scanning Electron Microscope  (Conventional, FE-SEM, LV-SEM)

Micron to sub-micron sample morphology and topography information. Equipped with EDS (elemental analysis) capability.

Secondary and backscattered electrons are used to generate 3D- like, high resolution images.

Non-volatile solid for conventional SEM and FE-SEM.Solids/semi-solids for LV-SEM.

Magnification 50X to 200,000X.  5 nm resolution.

Rheology

Relate polymer structure to physical properties.

Stress measured as a function of strain rate, frequency and temperature.

Fluid or cured systems.

Interpretation of data from complex mixtures is often difficult.

Thermal analysis  (TGA, DSC, DMA, TMA, MDSC)

Oxidative and thermal stability.  Physical, chemical, dimensional changes detected.

Changes in weight or heat absorption by transitions are detected and measured.

Solids, Liquids.

Temp 130 - 2670°K. Pressure 10-5 to 700 Kpa.

Ion Analysis (IC,)

Cation and anion analysis

Liquid chromatography separation and quantitation of charged species (inorganic anions and cations, organic acids, etc).

Ionic materials.  Aqueous or extractable into water.

Useful for trace analysis (ppm – ppb).

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS or FAAS)

Trace (hundreds of ppm to single digit ppm), quantitative elemental analysis for single elements.

Sample is vaporized in flame forming ground state atoms which absorb light from an element lamp. Amount of absorption is measured.

Virtually any liquid or polymer that can be digested to a liquid or dissolved in a plasma sustainable solvent.

May require time consuming sample preparation (digestion).

Inductively Couple Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS, and HR-ICP-MS)

Ultra-trace detection (ppb, ppt and ppq), quantitative analysis of  most elements.

Liquid sample is ionized in argon plasma; resulting  ions are sorted and mass analyzed.

Virtually any liquid or polymer that can be digested to a liquid or dissolved in a plasma sustainable solvent.

May require time consuming sample preparation, (digestion).

Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence(WDXRF)

Bulk qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of elements of atomic no > 5 (B).

Sample irradiated with x-rays from a high-energy source. Characteristic x-rays are measured based on the wavelength of the emitted x-rays.

Solids and liquids.

Sub ppm to percent level detection capabilities (element dependent). Non-destructive technique.