| Scanning Electron Microscope (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 sample. | Magnification 50X to 200,000X. 5 nm resolution. |
Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX or EDS)
| Spatially resolved near surface (depth of a few microns) elemental analysis for detection of elements B to U. Point, line scan and mapping capabilities. | Sample is irradiated with x-rays generated in an electron microscope. Characteristic x-rays are measured based on the energy of the emitted x-rays.
| Solid, non-volatile sample.
| Part per thousand detection limits. Semi quantitative. 250 nm spatial resolution. |
Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (XPS)
| Surface elemental and bonding information including element identification, depth profiling and element mapping.
| Sample is irradiated with x-rays and the emitted photoelectrons are measured as a function of binding energy.
| Sample must be a vacuum stable, clean solid.
| Part per thousand detection limits. 30 micron lateral resolution; 30-50 Angstrom probe depth resolution. |
| Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) | Provision of fine, microstructure information including filler/phase dispersion and crystallinity. | High energy electrons are transmitted through a thin sample to obtain high resolution images.
| Most solids and liquids. Cryo microtome and cryo plunge sample preparation.
| Extensive sample preparation may be required. ~2 Angstrom resolution.
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X-ray Diffraction (XRD)
| Identification of crystalline compounds, crystalline size and percent crystallinity.
| The angle and intensity of x-rays diffracted from a material are measured.
| Crystalline partially crystalline polymers and crystalline containing liquids.
| Generally nondestructive technique.
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| Particle Size Analysis | Provision of Particle Size of sample. | Laser light scattering is utilised to measure the particle size of the sample. | Dry powders and liquid dispersions. | Sample can be reclaimed. |
| Microanalysis | Determination of %C, %H, &N and &S within a sample. | Combustion techniques are employer to determine the percentages of certain elements within a sample. | Solid samples | Destructive |
| Surface area measurements (BET) | Determination of surface area, pore volume and pore diameters within a samples. | Nitrogen adsorption is utilised to determine the physiochemical properties of a samples. | Solid/powder samples. | Non destructive |
| Differential Scanning Calorimetery (DSC) | Determining melting points/phase inversion temperature/impurities etc. | DSC directly measures heat changes that occur in sample during controlled increase or decrease in temperature. | Solid and liquid samples. | May be particular useful with polymer species/destructive. |
| Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) | Determines % water in a polymer sample. | A sample is heated and its weight/mass is constantly monitored. | Solids | Destructive |
| Viscosity Measurements (via Brookfield) | Determine the viscosity within a liquid/viscous solution. | Brookfield rotational viscometers measure viscosity by sensing the torque required to rotate a spindle at constant speed while immersed in fluid. | Liquids | Non destructive |
| Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) | Determination of ppm/ppb levels of elements within a sample. | ICP is a type of emission spectroscopy that uses the inductively coupled plasma to produce excited atoms and ions that emit electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths characteristic of a particular element. | Liquids or solids that are easily digestible (usually in nitric acid). | Can generally determine to a ppb level any element within a liquid or solid sample. Solid sample generally need digestion. |
