Elemental Microanalysis covers a range of techniques that we employ to determine percentage quantities of elements in small sample aliquots (<5mg). The term was originally applied to instruments designed to quantify Carbon, Hydrogen and Nitrogen. The term has gradually been extended to cover the determination of % levels of other elements such as Halogens, Sulfur, Phosphorus and Metals using milligrams of material.
The technique is used for the determination of empirical formulae of novel research compounds and can also be applied to the determination of Organic Carbon in Sediments, following the removal of Inorganic Carbon with Hydrochloric or Sulfurous acids.
In addition to C, H and N analysis, other techniques employed are: ICP-MS, Ion Chromatography, Ion Selective Electrodes and Potentiometric Titrations, allowing for the determination of Sulfur, Phosphorus and other metal and halide elements.
Explore some of the techniques we commonly use for Elemental Microanalysis:
