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03 — Materials Characterization Facility

Equipment at NS&TD–NCP

Sixteen characterization techniques in five groups, open to academia, R&D organizations and industry. Photoluminescence (PL) is in the installation phase and its rate is pending.

Field-emission SEM column with its EDX detector

16Characterization techniques

5Technique groups

14Official proformas

8:00 – 4:00Facility office hours

Technique index

What each method reports.

Each technique links to its sample requirements, published rate and official proforma.

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FE-SEMField-emission SEM with EDXMorphology, topography and elemental composition. XPSX-ray photoelectron spectroscopySurface composition and chemical states, top 1–10 nm. BETSurface areaSpecific surface area of porous materials. XRDX-ray diffractionCrystalline structure, phase and crystallite size. TGAThermogravimetric analysisMass change with temperature or time. DSCDifferential scanning calorimetryMelting, crystallization, glass transition and curing. FTIRInfrared spectroscopyChemical bonds and functional groups. UV-VisUltraviolet-visible spectroscopyAbsorption or transmission in the UV and visible regions. DRSDiffuse reflectanceOpaque or light-scattering solids such as powders. PLPhotoluminescenceInstallation phase. The published rate is pending. EISElectrochemical impedanceElectrical properties of electrochemical systems. CVCyclic voltammetryCurrent measured while electrode potential is cycled. IVCurrent–voltageHow current varies with applied voltage. GC-MSGas chromatography–mass spectrometrySeparation and identification of volatile compounds. ZetaZeta potentialSurface charge of particles in a suspension. RheometerRheological testingFlow and deformation under stress or strain.

Facility group

Microscopy & Surface Analysis

PKR 6,000 · per sample

FE-SEM with EDX

High-resolution imaging of surface morphology and topography at the nanoscale, with elemental composition from EDX in a single experiment.

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Diagram of an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement

PKR 10,000 · per sample

XPS

Measures elemental composition and chemical states in the top 1–10 nm, revealing oxidation states, surface chemistry and bonding.

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Glowing hexagonal network representing porous surface structure

PKR 10,000 · per sample

BET

Determines the specific surface area of porous materials from nitrogen gas adsorption at cryogenic temperature.

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Facility group

Thermal & Structural Analysis

$Powder X-ray diffractometer$

PKR 3,000 · per sample

XRD

Identifies crystalline structure, phase composition and crystallite size from a diffraction pattern unique to each material.

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PKR 3,000 · per sample

TGA

Tracks mass change with temperature or time to assess thermal stability, decomposition behaviour and moisture content.

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PKR 3,000 · per sample

DSC

Detects melting, crystallization, glass transitions and curing from the heat-flow difference between sample and reference.

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Facility group

Spectroscopy & Optical Analysis

PKR 1,000 · per sample

FTIR

Identifies chemical bonds and functional groups from infrared absorption, giving a molecular signature and a check on purity.

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PKR 1,500 · per sample

UV-Vis

Measures UV and visible absorption or transmission to quantify analytes and study electronic transitions and bandgaps.

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Hexagonal lattice with light points for diffuse reflectance

PKR 1,500 · per sample

DRS

A UV-Vis method for opaque or light-scattering solids such as powders, giving absorption properties and the optical bandgap.

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Carbon nanotube lattice for optical-materials context

Pending · per sample

PL

A non-destructive optical probe of electronic structure and crystalline quality. Currently in the installation phase.

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Facility group

Electrochemical & Electrical Analysis

Potentiostat used for electrochemical impedance measurements

PKR 1,500 · per sample

EIS

Applies a small AC signal over a wide frequency range to reveal internal resistance, capacitance and charge-transfer kinetics.

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Coin cells in an electrochemical test fixture

PKR 1,500 · per sample

CV

Cycles electrode potential while measuring current to study redox reactions, reaction kinetics and electrochemical properties.

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PKR 1,000 · per sample

IV

Measures how current varies with applied voltage to evaluate conductivity, resistance and device performance.

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Facility group

Chemical & Physical Analysis

Gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer in a laboratory

PKR 3,000 · per sample

GC-MS

Separates volatile compounds by gas chromatography and identifies them by mass spectrometry, including trace organic components.

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PKR 2,000 · per sample

Zeta

Measures the surface charge of particles in suspension to judge dispersion stability and tendency to aggregate.

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Laboratory bench for rheological testing

PKR 3,000 · per sample

Rheometer

Measures flow and deformation under stress or strain: viscosity, elasticity and viscoelastic behaviour.

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Ready to submit a sample?

Download the proforma for your technique and send it with the sample, or contact the facility desk.

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