Inorganic Chemical Analysis; Reference Materials

Certified reference materials: EURO-coin alloys

Our field of competence comprises inorganic chemical analysis in particular of metals and nonmetallic materials, pure substances and materials relevant to the environment, and the development of suitable measurement procedures and instruments. The preparation of certified reference materials, the organisation of proficiency testings to evaluate the competence of testing laboratories and extensive metrological activities are essential contributions of the division to quality assurance of analytical data. A wide range of analytical instrumentation form the basis for reliable analytical results, as well as educated and experienced staff and a quality management system accredited according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025.  

Competencies

• Inorganic chemical analysis of major, minor, trace and ultratrace elements
• Inorganic reference materials including national primary standards
• Interlaboratory comparisons for validation of analytical procedures, certification of reference materials and competence assessment of analytical laboratories

Working areas

• Certification of reference materials for inorganic chemical analysis of
  - iron and steel
  - non-ferrous metals
  - high performance ceramics and glas
  - soil and waste
• Certification of the primary national standards for element analysis
• Characterisation of pure substances
• Certification of pure substances as titrimetric standards or for calibration and matrix simulation
• Contribution in standardisation (ISO, CEN, DIN) and statutory regulation (UBA, OFD-H)
• Organisation of and participation in national and international proficiency testings (i.a. within CCQM)
• Research, especially in the fields of direct solid sampling analysis and element speciation in environmental analysis
• Cooperation with national and international committees and associations (i.a. CCQM, ERM, EURONORM, Steel institute VDEh, GDMB, ICG, FBU/UBA)
• Analytical service
• Promotion of young academics and technicians by
  - supervision of post-docs, diploma and PhD-students, trainees
  - training of apprentices
  

Analytical methods and instrumentation

ICP mass spectrometer

• ICP mass spectrometry (quadrupole-, sector field- and collision cell instruments)
  - for liquid samples
  - with laser ablation
  - with electrothermal vaporisation
  - with HPLC and GC coupling
• High-resolution mass spectrometry with glow discharge
• Atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (add-on: direct solid sampling technique)
• Atomic absorption spectrometry using flame, FIAS, hydride generation and graphite furnace techniques (add-on: direct solid sampling technique
• Atomic fluorescence spectrometry for mercury determination
• Ion chromatography
• Precision coulometry
• Spectrophotometry
• UV/Vis spectrometry
• Flow analysis (with distillation for cyanide)
• Neutron activation analysis (in cooperation with Helmholtz-Zentrum für Materialien und Energie)
• Determination of C, S, N, O and H by combustion/heat extraction
• Speciation analysis of elements
• Wet chemical methods of analysis
• Wide variety of digestion techniques
• Instrumentation for pretreatment of soil samples

Topics

• Elemental trace analysis
• National standards for element determination
• Development and preparation of certified reference materials
• Inorganic environmental analysis

Service

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