Biomass testing services

Lignin sample ash content measurement at 525°C. The result is expressed as a mass percentage of the ash from the initial sample on a dry matter basis.

Metal analysis package for a lignin sample including the following elements: Al, Cd, Co, Pb, Hg, P, Na, Zn, Sb, Ca, Cu, Mg, Mo, K, Ti, As, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Si and V. The analysis is performed with ICP.

Determination of hydroxyl group (-OH) content in lignin samples by 31P NMR. The method is suitable for lignin that has or might have free hydroxyl groups. The lignin is dissolved in a deuterated solvent (typically CDCl3:Pyridine), and an internal standard is added to the sample. Then, the hydroxyl groups in the sample + internal standard are phosphorylated, and the mixture is analyzed using 31P NMR. The number of free hydroxyl groups can be determined from the NMR spectra by comparing the phosphorus signal of the internal standard to the phosphorus signals of the phosphorylated sample material. The following OH-groups can be quantified (in mmol/g): Aliphatic OH, Phenolic OH, Carboxylic acid , Syringyl OH, Guaiacyl OH, Catechols, p-hydroxyphenyl OH, Total OH. The price can depend on whether your samples require specialized deuterated solvents or preparation conditions (i.e. high temperature or long dissolution time).

Phase identification and quantification (Rietveld analysis) of a crystalline powder material using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The analysis can also provide unit cell dimensions. The analysis is only suitable for materials with at least one crystalline phase. The quantification accuracy is roughly 0.1 %, depending on the sample matrix and the phase in question. The available temperature range for XRD measurements is 25-1100 °C and the crystallinity can be studied as a function of temperatures. The measurements can be done under a normal atmosphere, inert gas, or vacuum. Please contact our experts to discuss the available temperature and atmosphere combinations. Please mention which crystalline phases your material contains and which ones are you interested in quantifying when requesting testing. However, the method can be applied to unknown phases as well. Either a tabletop or a synchrotron XRD can be used to perform the measurements.