Chemical & Process Engineering Facilities & Analysis Services

Our research laboratories are equipped with a range of high-tech analytical instruments for characterisation of a wide range of polymeric materials, solids, liquids, powders, porous surfaces and nanomaterials.

Our skilled staff are constantly developing experimental techniques to allow for the investigation of, for example, adsorption reactions, desorption and combustion processes.

Get in touch to enquire about instrument availability and prices: chemeng-analysis-services@strath.ac.uk 

Our Facilities 

Synthesis: Pressure reactors, fume hoods, wet-lab space, ovens, furnaces, chemical storage, hot plates, rotary evaporation, planetary ball milling, centrifuge, sonication

Characterisation: Microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), nitrogen/carbon dioxide gas adsorption analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, rheometric analysis, membrane test systems, Raman spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, cyclic voltammetry, rotating ring disk voltammetery, temperature programmed reduction/oxidation, adsorption analysers, etc.

Manufacturing: Homogeniser, catalyst deposition, electrode manufacture, spray coater, membrane caster, 3D printer, machining workshop, hot presses, sintering furnaces.

Device Testing: Fuel cell test station, electrolyser test station, REDOX flow test station, impedance analysers, and cell holders.

Virtual Modelling: Access to ARCHIE Supercomputer, COMSOL modelling package, density functional theory (DFT) know-how, molecular dynamics experts.

Bookable Services

Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA)

For the analysis of weight loss on degradation, combustions, torrification and pyrolysis, providing information on physical phenomena such as adsorption, absorption and desorption as well as chemical phenomena including chemisorption, thermal decomposition, proximate analysis and solid-gas reactions i.e. oxidation and reduction.

There is also the capability for simultaneous TGA/Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis of samples. DSC measures the energy adsorbed or given out by the sample as the temperature increases, cools or is held constant.  It is useful in determining melting, crystallization or glass transition points. It can be used to work out the heat capacity of a material.

Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET)

For the analysis of solid materials to determine surface areas, total pore volume, Langmuir surface area, Barrett- Joyner-Halenda pore size and volume analysis; and meso- & macro-porous volume distribution curves. 

Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD)

A non-destructive technique used to determine the crystalline structure, phase composition and elemental composition. By examining the diffraction pattern of x-rays materials can be identified by their unique “atomic fingerprint”. It is often used to differentiate between various crystal structures of the same elemental material.

Energy dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF)

A fast non-destructive technique used to determine the elemental composition of solids, powder and liquids. By exciting a sample with x rays it is caused to emit secondary radiation  (fluorescence) which is characteristic of the elements in the sample. It is able to quantify the elements from sodium to uranium.

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

A high pressure chromatography technique used to separate & identify the components of a mixture based on their affinity for a solvent & column packing combination.

*Note: price is dependent on having the appropriate solvent & column adsorbent in stock.

Gas Chromatography (GC)

A chromatography technique for volatile materials used to separate & identify the components of a mixture based on their affinity for a column packing. We have both Flame Ionisation (FID) and Thermal Conductivity (TCD) detectors available.

*Note: price is dependent on having the appropriate column adsorbent in stock.