Instrument Specific FAQs
Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE SEM)
1. How many samples can be submitted in a single request form?
Maximum of 5 samples
2. Does the Gold sputtering process affect the sample?
No, the process only creates a very thin coating on the sample surface to enhance the conductivity for good imaging.
3. What amount of sample is required for FESEM?
Powder: Minimum of 2.5 to 5mg.
Film: Maximum allowed size 1cm X 1cm
4. How will we come to know about the slot allocation?
The concerned operator/office assistant will intimate you at least a week before your slot by calling you.
BET Surface area Analyser
1. How much time is required to complete a BET analysis?
There are two stages, 1) Pre-treatment of samples, 2) Adsorption-Desorption isotherm process. Normally Adsorption-Desorption process takes 16Hrs for a sample with moderate surface area. The time will increase according to sample nature and surface area. The pre-treatment time is decided by the user. It ranges from 2 Hrs to 24 Hrs.
2. Can I perform the BET analysis on Film samples?
No! The sample cells used in BET analysis is having a diameter of 1cm, so we cannot accommodate samples larger than this diameter. We prefer powder samples.
3. Which plot should I use for calculating Pore Volume (Diameter)?
BET plot, and also you can refer BJH and t-plot to study the mesoporous characters of samples.
4. Which gases are used for the process of Chemisorption?
Available gases are,
TPD-NH3 (Carrier Gas – He, Pulse Gas – 95% He+5% NH3)
TPD-CO2 (Carrier Gas - He, Pulse Gas – 95% He+5% CO2)
TPO (Carrier Gas – He, Pulse Gas – 95% He+5% O2)
TPR (Carrier Gas – Ar, Pulse Gas – 95% Ar+5% H2)
UV-Vis-NIR Spectrophotometer
1. What do we get from DRS measurement?
%Reflectance Vs Wavelength plot
2. What wavelength range is used for your UV-Vis-NIR instrument?
200nm to 2500nm
3. Can I reuse the sample after the analysis for other experiments?
Yes, if your sample is not UV sensitive you can reuse it. UV-Vis-NIR spectrometer analysis is a non-destructive method.
Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICPMS)
1. Can I get the concentration of the rare earth elements from the ICPMS?
Yes, we use standards having rare earth elements. To know which rare earth elements are available at CSIF please refer to the elements chart provided on our website.
2. What is the least concentration that your ICPMS can measure?
Our instrument normally measures the concentration in ppb (parts per billion), also it can provide the concentration in ppt (parts per trillion).
3. If I require the ICPMS of a leaf sample, in what medium should I digest the sample?
You can use Conc.HNO3 (for more details regarding the sample preparation method visit our website)
FT-RAMAN Spectrometer
1. What is the specification of the LASER source used in your instrument?
λ = 1064nm
Pmax ≤ 0.5, 1.0W
Divergence Angle = 2 mrad
2. Is there any other LASER sources available at CSIF?
No! Currently, we have only 1064nm.
Thermo Gravimetric Analyser (TGA)
1. How much sample is required for TGA analysis?
5-8mg
2. What is the normally used heating rate in TGA analysis?
10-degree C/Min
3. Can we do TGA analysis of Liquid samples?
No! TGA analysis can only be performed on Powder or Film samples.
4. What is the maximum possible heating range of the TGA instrument available in CSIF?
The maximum temperature range of our instrument is 1000 Degree Celsius.
CHNS/O Analyser
1. How much sample is required for CHNS/O Analysis?
The minimum quantity is 2-3 mg, but we would suggest providing at least 10mg of sample. The remaining sample or left-over sample will be returned upon request.
2. Can we do CHNS/O analysis of Liquid samples?
No! The currently available facility at CSIF cannot analyse liquid samples.
X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRF)
1. How much sample is required for XRF Analysis?
Powder: 5mg Liquid: 5 ml
2. What is the pellet size required for a solid sample?
20mm dia
3. Can we get the data in the ppm range?
Yes.
4. Can we get C, H, N element concentration using XRF analysis?
No! Instead you can use the CHNS analyser at CSIF
Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC)
1. How much sample is required for DSC analysis?
8 to 10mg
2. Which gases are used for the analysis process?
Nitrogen, Helium
3. Which type of sample pan is used in DSC?
Aluminium type
4. Can we do decomposition analysis using DCS?
No! The decomposition will harm the instrument.
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (LCMS)
1. Which type of detector is used in your HPLC System?
UV Detector
2. How many solvents can run in the system at a single run?
4 Solvents
3. Which are the available solvents in your facility?
Methanol, Acetonitrile, milli-Q water
4. Which column is used in your system?
C18 Column
5. What is the required sample concentration for the analysis?
Below 1000ppm
Powder X-ray Diffractometer (XRD)
1. Can I use the sample after XRD analysis?
Yes! XRD is a non-destructive analysis. So, the sample can be used again. We take utmost care not to contaminate the sample during analysis.
2. I have an unknown mineral sample. Can I use XRD to identify the sample?
Yes! XRD can be used to identify the crystal pattern or phases of the sample. For better results and proper identification, we recommend running XRF analysis prior to XRD to identify the elemental composition.
3. Which Databases are available in CSIF?
ICSD (Inorganic Crystal Structure Database)
PDF2 ICDD (Previously JCPDS)
Software: Highscore Plus
FTIR Spectrometer
1. What type of samples can be analysed using FTIR Spectrometer?
Powdered samples
2. Can we analyse liquid samples in FTIR Spectrometer?
No!
3. In which all ranges can we obtain IR spectra?
Mid IR (4000-400cm-1) and Far IR (400-100cm-1)
4. How much sample would be required for FTIR Analysis?
5mg – 10mg