Elemental Microanalysis News

When calibrating an Elemental Analyser, it has long been the practice to use pure chemicals eg. acetanilide, cystine, methionine.  Knowing the chemical formulae of these allows precise and accurate calibration.

However, whilst combusting acetanilide is straightforward, liberating nitrogen and carbon dioxide from say, sandy soil can be more of an issue.  In these cases, it is becoming more accepted to use a reference material similar in nature to the sample i.e. if analysing a soil unknown, use a soil reference material.  This way any effects due to the matrix will apply to both sample and standard.

Pure chemicals may still be used to calibrate the analyser, but a secondary or check reference, matrix-matched to the unknown should be included. Achieving correct results for this secondary reference should give confidence that analytical conditions and results for the samples are also correct.

Elemental Microanalysis offers a very wide range of calibrated natural materials – a full listing is attached for information. A regularly updated list of all our available standards can be found here.

For further information, prices etc., please contact us.