Fully automatic and direct analysis of solids

9 Jun 2008
Greg Smith
Analyst / Analytical Chemist

Product news

With the High-Resolution Continuum Source AAS, the direct analysis of solids by AAS has now become a real alternative for many applications. The user is no longer limited to trace analysis, because insensitive lines can also be used without problems. Moreover, the method overcomes the limits of Zeeman AAS with respect to background correction.

Equipped with a novel liquid dosing module, allowing automated calibration out of a stock solution and modifier addition, direct solids analysis becomes a powerful tool for research as well as routine tasks.

Depending on the application, different systems are available, such as a manual or fully automated sampler with an integrated microbalance, thereby expanding the basic instrument.

In combination with the new various solid sampler, the AAS instruments made by Analytik Jena (novAA®, ZEEnit, contrAA®) are able to analyze solid samples directly without dissolution. The time-consuming sample preparation and the danger of contamination and loss of material to be analyzed are reduced to a minimum. The sample only has to be comminuted and optionally homogenized and can than be analyzed directly. The samples are measured out by hand on reusable graphite platforms. The robot arm of the sampler transports the platform to the integrated microbalance.

Subsequently, modifier solutions and standard solutions or other reagents are added automatically and the sample is transported into the graphite furnace. After the measurement, the platform is immediately ready for the next sample.

Due to the fully automatic measurement of up to 84 samples, the sampler makes a high throughput of samples possible.

This system allows routine solid AAS. Due to the high degree of automation and the simple handling, the solids sampler is suitable for rapid routine analysis in an industrial environment. However, the instrument is also used in the clinical area and in research.

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Sample PreparationSample preparation can improve the quality and speed of separation techniques. Products to assist sample preparation include filtration equipment, evaporators, membranes and sieves.Atomic Absorption / Emission SpectroscopyAtomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) — also called optical emission spectroscopy (OES) — are used to detect the elemental constituents in samples. Both techniques involve the atomization of a sample. Atomic absorption spectrometers may use a flame or furnace to create an atomic vapor of the sample before irradiation with spectral light. Optical emission spectrometers may use a flame, inductively coupled plasma (ICP), microwave plasma (MP) or spark arcs to atomize and excite the sample. At higher excitation energies, electrons can be emitted instead of photons, which can be useful for samples that can’t be atomized and for surface analysis. Explore electron spectroscopy equipment such as Auger spectrometers and photoelectron spectrometers for surface elemental analysis of samples. Find the best atomic absorption, photoelectron and optical emission spectrometers in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.
Fully automatic and direct analysis of solids