Elemental Analysis – Sample preparation


CHNSO

Sample preparation

  • For CHNS analyses, the amount of sample should be at least 5-10 mg. Use clean vials and label them properly.
    Solid material must be powdered, homogeneous and well-dried.
  • The presence of dust or moisture in your sample leads to deviations in the results.
  • Pure compounds in liquid state can be measured if not volatile.
  • Please specify if the sample contain halogens (especially Fluorine).
  • In the case of unknown substances, we appreciate if you specify the expected elements or expectation values.
  • Samples should be deposited together with the submission form in the “CHNS tray” located at the entrance of the facility room BCH1524. They will be collected on Tuesday for analysis.
  • For air-sensitive samples, analyzes can be performed under an inert N2 atmosphere. For light-sensitive samples, contact us in advance.

Sample submission form in ELN

  • If you don’t have an EPFL login, first create a guest account on the link https://guests.epfl.ch/ . Then login with this guest user id and PW to eln.epfl.ch. For EPFL members use your Gaspar identification.
  • To create a sample submission form, go to the Home page, click on “Add sample”, enter the name/reference of the sample and submit. Fill the sample description (structure, sequence in Biomolecule
) and save data. Go back to the Home menu, select the sample, click on the “EA request”, fill the sample characteritics, create request and print the sample submission form.
  • In case of any problem for the sample submission, contact the ELN team ([email protected] or luc.patiny @epfl.ch).

ICP

Sample preparation

  • Samples should be submitted either as a solid or as solution in 2% HNO3. Only high purity HNO3 (TraceMetal Grade) and MilliQ water (18 MΩ) should be used for the preparation of the 2% HNO3 stock solution.
  • Samples should be digested with high purity HNO3 (TraceMetal Grade) and HCl, if aqua regia is used.

  • After digestion, samples should be diluted to 2% HNO3 final %.

  • Total dissolved solid content in each sample must not exceed 0.1 wt % (e.g. 0.1 g per 100 ml of solution). There must be no suspended solids else filter with a 0.2”m cellulose nitrate syringe filter.

  • Minimum sample volume submitted should be 5 ml. Optimal sample volume is between 7-10 ml.

  • Samples containing Hg will be subjected to additional fees due to the memory effect issues with this element and washing steps.

  • Radioactive and highly toxic samples requiring specialized handling are not accepted.

Sample submission form in ELN

  • Based on the information provided by the user, we reserve the right to decide which technique, ICP-OES or ICP-MS, is more suitable for each sample.
  • If you don’t have an EPFL login, first create a guest account on the link https://guests.epfl.ch/ .Then login with this guest user id and PW to eln.epfl.ch. For EPFL members use your Gaspar identification.
  • To create a sample submission form, go to the Home page, click on “Add sample”, enter the name/reference of the sample and submit. Fill the sample description (structure, sequence in Biomolecule
) and save data. Go back to the Home menu, select the sample, click on the “ICP requests”, fill properly the requested information , create request and print the sample submission form.
  • In case of any doubts about sample preparation/sample submission, the users are highly encouraged to contact the service. For any problem for the sample submission step, contact the ELN team ([email protected] or luc.patiny @epfl.ch).