CHNOS analysis of organic materials

Determination of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen content of an organic sample. CHNS analysis (”LECO analysis”) is performed using a flash combustion method, where the sample is combusted under 25 kPa of O2 at an elevated temperature (1000 °C), followed by gas chromatography separation and detection using a thermal conductivity detector. Oxygen is analyzed by reduction on granulated carbon at 1480 °C, utilizing high-temperature thermal decomposition and conversion of oxygen into carbon monoxide before gas chromatography separation and detection by thermal conductivity.

The sample can be either solid or liquid, but water in the sample affects the results. In the case of aqueous samples, it is possible to dry the sample before analysis.

The price includes two parallel measurements. The results are reported as wt-% of the initial sample.

The analysis gives the total carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen content of the material, but it does not identify any chemical structures. The measurement can be combined with other methods, such as GC-MS, 1H, and 13C NMR, to perform substance structure identification.

Possible element packages: O, CHNS, and CHNOS.

Suitable sample matrices
Solid and liquid organic materials
Required sample quantity
20 mg
Typical turnaround time
2 weeks after receiving the samples
Detection limit
0.05 wt-% (500 ppm) for C, H and N, 0.100 wt-% for sulfur, and 0.050 wt-% for oxygen.
Available quality systems
Measurlabs validated method

Order this test online

First sample (Excl. VAT):
266 €
Additional samples (Excl. VAT):
153 €per sample
If you have a large number of samples, contact us for a possible discount.

Samples are entered during checkout.

Our experts review all orders to ensure the testing method is suitable for your needs and samples.

Large number of samples or specialized needs?

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