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EA-IRMS
EA-IRMS
Elemental Analyzer-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (EA-IRMS) is an analytical technique used to determine the isotopic ratios of light elements, primarily carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, in solid and liquid samples. This technique combines the capabilities of an elemental analyzer (EA) and an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) to provide precise and accurate measurements of stable isotope ratios.
The EA-IRMS technique begins with the introduction of a solid or liquid sample into the elemental analyzer. Within the elemental analyzer, the sample undergoes complete combustion or pyrolysis in an oxygen-rich environment at high temperatures, typically around 1000°C. This combustion or pyrolysis process converts the sample into gaseous products containing the analytes of interest, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen gas (N2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and others.
These combustion gases are then separated from other gases and purified using specific traps and gas chromatography columns within the elemental analyzer. The purified gases are subsequently introduced into the isotope ratio mass spectrometer, where they are ionized and separated based on their mass-to-charge ratios. The mass spectrometer precisely measures the ratios of stable isotopes (e.g., 13C/12C, 15N/14N, 18O/16O, 34S/32S) present in the purified gases.
By comparing the measured isotope ratios to known standards, the EA-IRMS technique can determine the isotopic composition of the original solid or liquid sample with high precision and accuracy. This information is valuable for various applications, such as traceability studies, authentication of materials, environmental monitoring, and source identification, among others.
- Isotopic analysis of aerospace materials and components
- Fuel authentication and source identification
- Environmental monitoring around aerospace facilities
- Fuel authentication and source identification
- Analysis of automotive emissions for environmental monitoring
- Isotopic characterization of automotive materials
- Isotopic fingerprinting of chemical products and raw materials
- Traceability and authentication studies
- Environmental monitoring around chemical plants
- Isotopic analysis of electronic components and materials
- Provenance studies of rare earth elements used in electronics
- Environmental monitoring around manufacturing facilities
- Isotopic analysis of explosives and propellants
- Forensic investigations and traceability studies
- Environmental monitoring around defense facilities
- Isotopic characterization of fossil fuels and biofuels
- Source identification and authentication of energy resources
- Environmental monitoring around energy production facilities
- Forensic investigations and evidence analysis
- Traceability studies for legal disputes
- Environmental monitoring related to legal cases
- Isotopic analysis of lighting materials and components
- Provenance studies of rare earth elements used in lighting
- Environmental monitoring around manufacturing facilities
- Isotopic analysis of medical device materials and components
- Traceability studies for medical products
- Environmental monitoring around medical facilities
- Isotopic fingerprinting of active pharmaceutical ingredients
- Authentication and traceability studies for pharmaceutical products
- Environmental monitoring around pharmaceutical plants
- Isotopic characterization of raw materials and their sources
- Provenance studies and authentication of raw materials
- Environmental monitoring around raw material facilities
- Isotopic analysis of semiconductor materials and components
- Provenance studies of rare earth elements used in semiconductors
- Environmental monitoring around semiconductor manufacturing facilities
- Isotopic analysis of telecommunication equipment and data storage components
- Provenance studies of rare earth elements used in telecom and data storage
- Environmental monitoring around manufacturing facilities
- High precision and accuracy in isotopic ratio measurements.
- Simultaneous determination of multiple isotopic ratios (C, N, O, S) in a single analysis.
- Applicability to a wide range of solid and liquid samples.
- Provides valuable information for traceability, authentication, and provenance studies.
- Enables environmental monitoring and source identification studies.
- Solid samples: Typically, 0.1 to 2 milligrams of sample is required, depending on the elemental composition and isotopic abundance.
- Liquid samples: Sample volumes ranging from 10 to 100 microliters are commonly used, depending on the analyte concentration and instrument configuration.