Analytical equipment

Total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) Bruker S2 Picofox (3 instruments)	Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (WDXRF) Bruker S8 Tiger 4K
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Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) Perkin-Elmer Optima 8300DV	BET Surface Area and Pore Size Analyser Quantachrome NOVA 2200e
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Spectrophotometer (UV-VIS-NIR) Varian Cary 5000	FTIR/Raman FT-IR spectrometer Bruker Vertex 70 with Raman module Bruker RAM II
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Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) Mettler-Toledo DSC1	CHN elemental analyser Flash EA-2000 CHN-analyser
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Karl Fischer titration	Moisture analyser Mettler-Toledo HC103/01 halogen moisture analyser
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Spectrofluorimeter Edingburgh Instruments FLS-980	Visco- and densitometer Anton Paar Lovis 2000 M/ME
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Refractometer Anton Paar Abbemat 200	Magnetic susceptibility balance Sherwood Scientific MSB Auto
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Microwave digester Berghof Speedwave Xpert	Raman microscope Horiba Jobin-Yvon Labram HR Evolution confocal Raman microscope
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X-ray diffractometer Bruker D2 Phaser
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Fast access to SIM² KU Leuven equipment:

• EPMA-WDS, XRD
• [Full list available from: http://kuleuven.sim2.be/about-sim%c2%b2-ku-leuven/research-equipment/]

Analytical equipment

Total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF)
Bruker S2 Picofox (3 instruments)

The S2 PICOFOX is a benchtop spectrometer for fast quantitative and semi-quantitative multi-element microanalysis of liquids and suspensions using the principle of total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF). Detection limits are the ppb and ppm range, so that the technique is optimally suited for trace element analysis. The advantages are evident in case of small sample amounts, liquid samples with high matrix content and frequently changing sample types.

Specifications:

• Element range: Mo excitation: Al to U (with exception of Mo to Ru)
• Concentration: ppb to 100 %
• Sample types: liquids and suspensions
• X-ray tube: 50 W metal-ceramic, max. 50 kV, 1 mA air-cooled, Mo target
• Detector: Peltier-cooled Silicon Drift Detector
• Energy resolution <149 eV at 100 kcps
• Autosampler with 25 positions

Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (WDXRF)
Bruker S8 Tiger 4K

Specifications:

• Element range: Rh excitation: Be to U
• Concentration: ppm to 100 %
• Sample types: liquids, loose powders, pressed pellets, fused discs
• X-ray tube: High-performance end-window X-ray tube with rhodium anode, 4000 W excitation power
• Detector: Proportional flow counter (Be-Cu) and scintillation counter (Sc-U)
• Autosampler with 75 positions

Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES)
Perkin-Elmer Optima 8300DV

Specifications:

• Polychromator: high-energy (f/6.7) echelle-based Optima polychromator utilises two SCD detectors covering the spectral range from 163-782 nm.
• Plasma viewing: dual-view ICP-OES, offers radial and axial viewing of the plasma for effective measurement of elements with high and low concentrations in the same method.
• Detectors: Segmented-array Charge-coupled Device (SCD) detectors consisting of 235 addressable subarrays covering approximately 6000 wavelengths on a 13 by 19 mm silicon substrate.
• Organics kit for measuring samples with a high content of organic solvents
• Simultaneous, sequential analysis of multiple elements possible. ICP-OES is the best method for B, Be, Li and gives a better detection limits for Na, Mg and Al. Low detection limit for most elements (ppb range). Suitable for the simultaneous determination of trace and major elements using a single solution. Ability to analyse small sample sizes and small solution volumes (0.01 g in 1 – 2 mL) is feasible. Rapid analysis method.

BET Surface Area and Pore Size Analyser
Quantachrome NOVA 2200e

Specifications:

• Measurement types: BET, statistical thickness surface area (STSA), adsorption isotherm, desorption isotherm
• Surface area range: 0.01 m²/g to no known upper limit
• Pore size range: 0.35 to 500 nm

Spectrophotometer (UV-VIS-NIR)
Varian Cary 5000

Specifications:

• UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer with an optical range between 175 and 3300 nm.
• Visible detector: PMT
• Near-infrared detector: PbS photocell.
• Resolution in UV-VIS < 0.05 nm and in NIR < 0.2 nm.
• Maximal absorbance range: up to 8 absorbance units.

FTIR/Raman
FT-IR spectrometer Bruker Vertex 70 with Raman module Bruker RAM II

Specifications:

The Vertex 70 FTIR spectrometer can measure in the mid-IR and far-IR region (4000-100 cm^-1). Samples can be measured in transmission or via the ATR technique (diamond, germanium and zinc selenide crystals). The maximum resolution is 1 cm^-1. The RAM II module is a FT-Raman module that is connected to the Vertex 70 FTIR spectrometer. The RAM II offers a spectral range within 3600-50 cm^-1 (Stokes shift). The RAM II module is equipped with a standard 1064 nm laser excitation source (500 mW Nd:YAG laser) and a liquid-nitrogen-cooled high-sensitivity germanium diode detector. The maximum resolution is 2 cm^-1.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
Mettler-Toledo DSC1

Specifications:

Heat-flux DSC. DSC measurements in the temperature range between -85 ×C and 700 °C (with intracooler).

CHN elemental analyser
Flash EA-2000 CHN-analyser

Specifications:

Apparatus for determination of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen content in organic samples via combustion analysis. Sample size between 2 mg and 100 mg. Autosampler with 63 positions.

Karl Fischer titration

Mettler-Toledo V30S Compact Volumetric KF Titrator and Mettler-Toledo C30S Compact KF Coulometer, and Stromboli sample changer.

Specifications:

The Karl Fischer platform allows determination of the water content of organic solvents and inorganic solids, in the concentration range between 10 ppm and 100%. For samples with a low water content a coulometric Karl Fischer apparatus is used, whereas for samples with a high water content a titrimetric Karl Fischer apparatus is used. The Stromboli sample changer enables up to 14 samples to be titrated in unattended operation. The samples are automatically transferred into a temperature controlled oven from where the evaporated water is transferred to the titration cell via an applied gas flow.

Moisture analyser
Mettler-Toledo HC103/01 halogen moisture analyser

Specifications:

Fast measurement of moisture content in solids via a thermogravimetric technique. Halogen heating with accurate temperature control between 40-230 °C. Samples up to 100 g.

Fast access to SIM² KU Leuven equipment:

• EPMA-WDS, XRD
• [Full list available from: http://kuleuven.sim2.be/about-sim%c2%b2-ku-leuven/research-equipment/]