Custom-made (tailor-made or ready-to-use) solution is a solution (single or multi-element) prepared according your specific needs and requirements: analytes, analysis, matrixes, concentrations. Custom-made solution is a product, with a real practical application compared to the conventional standard solutions (element standard or multi-element standard). Instead of gathering 2 or more conventional solutions you simply order one you need. You will achieve correct results without any interference of the other components: matrix, type and concentration of analytes. Furthermore you will avoid any errors due to preparing, precipitation mixing of incompatible solutions, calculations, contamination etc

ICP-AES is short for optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. The plasma is formed by argon gas flowing through a radiofrequency field where it is kept in a state of partial ionisation, i.e. the gas consists partly of electrically charged particles. This allows it to reach very high temperatures of up to approx. 10,000ºC. At high temperature, most elements emit light of characteristic wavelengths which can be measured and used to determine the concentration.

The sample being analysed is introduced into the plasma as a fine droplet aerosol. Light from the different elements is separated into different wavelengths by means of a grating and is captured by light-sensitive detectors. This permits simultaneous analysis of up to 80 elements and ICP-AES is consequently a multi-element technique. In terms of sensitivity, ICP-AES is generally comparable to flame atomic absorption, i.e. detection limits are typically at the µg/L level in aqueous solutions.

C.P.A. provides single-element (mono-element) ; multi-element standard solutions and custom-made solutions for ICP-AES.

Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS; AAS-Flame) determines the presence of metals in liquid samples. Metals include Fe, Cu, Al, Pb, Ca, Zn, Cd and many more. It also measures the concentrations of metals in the samples. Typical concentrations range in the low mg/L range.

In their elemental form, metals will absorb ultraviolet light when they are excited by heat. Each metal has a characteristic wavelength that will be absorbed. The AAS instrument looks for a particular metal by focusing a beam of uv light at a specific wavelength through a flame and into a detector. The sample of interest is aspirated into the flame. If that metal is present in the sample, it will absorb some of the light, thus reducing its intensity. The instrument measures the change in intensity. A computer data system converts the change in intensity into an absorbance.

As concentration goes up, absorbance goes up. The researcher can construct a calibration curve by running standards of various concentrations on the AAS and observing the absorbances. C.P.A. provides standards, and ready-to-use calibration sets of standards of various concentrations for AAS. Tailor-made mono-element (single-element) and multi-element solutions are also avaible.

Electro thermal atomic absorption (ETAAS; GFAAS) the technique involves introducing a small amount of sample and then resistively heating a tube of graphite, which becomes the atom cell. Due to the nature of the heating mechanism the accuracy of the results are inherently increased. The tube temperature is controlled by computer input and can have a consistent temperature profile from sample to sample and from standard to sample. This element of control increases the repeatability of the method. Samples are generally entered as dilute aqueous solutions in 20-50 uL quantities.
The use of chemical modification shoud be considered if an analyte is highly volatile or if analyte and matrix volatilize at similar temperatures. The modification will allow ashing at higher (or atomization at lower) furnace temperatures, getting rid of the matrix without loosing a relatively volatile analyte (or atomizing the analyte without the matrix). Several compounds are known in the literature for this application, the most common ones are magnesium and palladium solutions. You can choose your matrix and analyte modifier from C.P.A. catalogue as well as Quality Control standard solutions for GFAAS and AAS-VGA.

Ion chromatography (IC) is a powerful technique for analysis of aqueous media containing a variety of both cations and anions. It promises to replace classical wet chemical methods for such analyses, which are frequently labor intensive and time consuming and often involve use of hazardous chemicals in the sampling protocol.

The ion chromatography is used for analysis of aqueous samples in parts-per-million (ppm) quantities of common anions (such as fluoride, chloride, nitrite, nitrate, and sulfate and common cations like lithium, sodium, ammonium, and potassium) using conductivity detectors.

Ion chromatography is a form of liquid chromatography that uses ion-exchange resins to separate atomic or molecular ions based on their interaction with the resin. Its greatest utility is for analysis of anions for which there are no other rapid analytical methods Most ion-exchange separations are done with pumps and metal columns.

Ion chromatography is the only technique that can provide quantitative analysis of anions at the ppb level. Aqueous solutions, which may require filtration, dilution, and/or cleaning to remove interferences, are required for analysis. Solid samples are extracted with water to remove ions from the sample surface. Organic liquids may also be extracted with water to obtain an aqueous solution of ions for analysis. The minimum sample required is approximately 10 mL for liquids and 2-3 square cm for solids. There are no upper limits.

C.P.A. provides mono-anions and cations solutions, and custom-made standard solution as well.