Combustion ion chromatography
Combustion ion chromatography (CIC) is a separation and analysis technique used to detect and characterize ions of certain elements, including halogens and sulfur. The method finds applications in contaminant detection and compliance testing in multiple industries.
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What is CIC used for?
CIC is commonly used to test for sulfur and halogens (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine) in various sample types, including natural and synthetic petrochemicals (oils, fuels, lubricants) and polymers (especially those used in consumer goods). Samples can be solids, liquids, powders, gels, or gasses
Perhaps the most notable application of CIC is total organic fluorine (TOF) analysis. TOF testing is performed to estimate the presence of fluorine-containing compounds, which in turn can be indirectly used to indicate the prevalence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), contaminants known for their toxicity and persistence.
How does combustion ion chromatography work?
In CIC, the sample is pyrolyzed, i.e. broken down by heat, in the presence of humidified oxygen. Any volatile compounds that are produced are captured by an absorbing solution, which is passed through the ion chromatograph. This will separate and characterize the different ions in the solution, providing information on the makeup of the sample.
Advantages and limitations of CIC in PFAS analysis
CIC offers a quick and efficient method of detecting fluoride ions in a sample, making it an excellent initial screening tool in PFAS analysis. CIC is often used to estimate the potential presence of PFAS before further analysis with targeted methods, such as LC-MS/MS, and is especially useful when the identity of individual PFAS compounds contained in the sample is unknown.
The non-selective nature of CIC is its major drawback in PFAS analysis; while it will detect the presence of fluoride in samples, it won’t provide further information on the specific compounds. Therefore, obtaining a comprehensive overview of PFAS content within a sample will require combining CIC with LC/MS-MS.
Suitable sample matrices
- Water
- Food
- Soil
- Polymers and plastics
- Petrochemicals
Ideal uses of CIC analysis
- Determining concentrations of halide and sulfur ions
- Estimation of PFAS presence through total organic fluorine analysis
- Contaminant analysis of synthetic and natural petrochemicals
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Frequently asked questions
Measurlabs offers a variety of laboratory analyses for product developers and quality managers. We perform some of the analyses in our own lab, but mostly we outsource them to carefully selected partner laboratories. This way we can send each sample to the lab that is best suited for the purpose, and offer high-quality analyses with more than a thousand different methods to our clients.
When you contact us through our contact form or by email, one of our specialists will take ownership of your case and answer your query. You get an offer with all the necessary details about the analysis, and can send your samples to the indicated address. We will then take care of sending your samples to the correct laboratories and write a clear report on the results for you.
Samples are usually delivered to our laboratory via courier. Contact us for further details before sending samples.