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Post Graduate Research Laboratory (PGRL) is a user facility in the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Kanpur that supports a broad range of science and technology projects by merging state-of-the-art resources with expert support staff. PGRL provides research space, sophisticated instruments and services thereby imparting an able platform for academic and industrial researchers to develop applications and expertise dedicated to addressing variety of scientific and engineering challenges. In-house equipment’s at PGRL include

High Resolution Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM):

  • High Brightness Schottky Emitter.
  • Excellent Low Noise Surface Imaging at short working distances.
  • Powerful In-beam SE and BSE detectors and unique wide field optics offers enhanced field of view and depth of focus.
  • Highly sensitive elemental detection using Oxford EDS detector having large SDD area of 50mm2 with options of Point & ID and detailed elemental maps
  • Bright Field & Dark Field imaging using STEM Detecto
  • FESEM Sample Preparation Tools: Gold Sputter Coater & Ultramicrotomy at RT for cutting thin sections

Specification of the instrument

Resources

Standard Operating Procedure

Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS)

  • Simultaneous multi-element detection capability at sensitivity level of parts per billion (ppb).
  • Precisely identify and quantitate almost all metallic elements in the periodic table
  • Comprehensive elemental compositional characterization with minimal interferences.
  • Possibility of detecting elements soluble in HF matrix & Samples containing organic materials.
  • Routinely used for Trace Metal Analysis, Food Safety, Human Bio-monitoring, Waste Water Treatment etc

Specification of the instrument

Resources

Standard Operating Procedure

Automated Gas Adsorption Set up for Physisorption, Chemisorption & Temperature Programmed Oxidation, Reduction & Desorption processes.

  • Tool for the Characterization of the Texture of Porous Solids and Fine Powders. nano-porous materials with tailor made pore structure require high resolution experimental protocols.
  • Single point & multipoint BET surface area, Adsorption Isotherms, Pore size distribution, Pore volume
  • Pore Structure Analysis using various theoretical models based on DFT, BJH, HK algorithms.
  • H2 Chemisorption (Treatment Temp: upto 1000 deg C) of catalysts, ceramics.
  • High sensitivity TCD detector for TPD, TPR and TPO analysis.
  • Catalyst Researchers can design and optimize chemical processes using information of heats of adsorption, activation energy, ease of oxidation/reduction, bond strength by performing flow based Reactive Gas Adsorption processes.

Standard Operating Procedure Autosorb iQ

Standard Operating Procedure Autosorb iQ- Start up

Standard Operating Procedure TPR Macro

Thermal Analyzers: Thermogravimetry (TGA) & Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)

  • Thermal Stability Analysis, Phase Transitions in Polymers, Melting and Crystallization.
  • Dedicated Heat Flow measurements for both liquid & solid samples in hermetically sealed pans.
  • Temperature range: -90°C to 500°C using RCS
  • Melting points, Phase transitions, Crystallization, Glass Transition of Polymers, Sensitive Heat Capacity measurements

Specification of the instrument

Resources

Standard Operating Procedure TGA

Standard Operating Procedure DSC

Electrochemistry set up with Potentiostat / Galvanostat

  • Characterization of Devices like Solar Cells & Supercapacitors.
  • Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) to identify camouflaged electrochemical reactions and extract information on the capacitive behaviour of the system.
  • Power and Current density curves, Cyclic Voltametry(CV), Chronoamperometry

Standard Operating Procedure Multichannel Voltammetry Analyser

Powder & Thin film X-ray Diffractometer

  • Bravais Lattice Symmetry, Phase Analysis, Epitaxy, Texture information
  • Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction (GIXD) for thin films.

Specification of the instrument

Resources

Standard Operating Procedure XPERT POWDER (XRD)

Standard Operating Procedure High Score Peak Search

Micro Particle Image Velocimetry (MPIV)

  • Micron Resolution Optical Method of Flow Visualization technique popularly for instantaneous velocity measurements in fluids.
  • Fundamental studies of flow instabilities.

Specification of the instrument

Resources

Universal Testing Machine (UTM)

  • Tensile and Compressive Stress, Elastic and Plastic Deformations, Yield Strength, Fatigue tests and Creep tests.
  • Plastics, Elastomers, Hard Foams, Carbon Fibers can be tested.

Specification of the instrument

Resources

Standard Operating Procedure UTM

Electrospinning Unit with 3D Bioprinter as Accessory

  • Nanofiber spinning machine to make composite & biopolymer nanofibers & variety of spinning arrangements.
  • 3D polymer extrusion printer with pneumatic driven technology and multiple printheads

Polarization Microscope with Fluorescence spectroscopy & Peltier Stage attachment

  • Microscope features: Polarization, Bright Field, Dark Field, DIC, Fluorescence, Orthoscopy & Conoscopy, Linkam Peltier Stage

Standard Operating Procedure Polarization Microscope

Ion Chromatograph (Metrohm Eco IC 925)

  • Compact ion chromatograph for routine water sample analysis.
  • Integrated IC Conductivity Detector for precise ion analysis.
  • Built-in chemical suppression for reduced background conductivity.
  • Inline Ultrafiltration available for particle-free analysis.
  • Compact IC Autosampler, enabling the analysis of up to 36 samples fully automatically.
  • Controlled by MagIC Net software, the Eco IC ensures secure data management.

Specification of the instrument

Resources

Standard Operating Procedure ION CHROMATOGRAPHY

Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometer

  • Superior performance with dual inlet capability, four detectors, and automatic leak testing for pneumatic components.
  • Microprocessor-controlled temperature and time functions, a dual-column oven with a 4°C to 400°C temperature range, programmable ramps and fast cooling.
  • The split/splitless capillary port with a split ratio of 9000:1 or more, a pressure setting range of 0-100 psi, and a splitter for directing samples to both FID and single Quadrupole MS detectors.
  • The auto sampler supports 15+ vials of 2-mL or 1.5-mL size with self-dilution capability, provides area reproducibility better than 0.5% RSD.
  • The MS features an EI source with a 300°C max. temperature, electron energy up to 200 eV, a scan rate of 20,000 amu/sec or better and scan sensitivity of 1500:1 with a 1 μL injection having a heated monolithic hyperbolic quadrupole with a temperature of up to 200°C.
  • The system includes columns for gas and liquid applications, with 6-port gas sampling and column isolation valves.
  • TCD offers a minimum detectable level of 400 pg tridecane/mL or better.

Specification of the instrument

Resources

GC-MS Columns

Standard Operating Procedure Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Advanced Rheometer [MCR 702e, AntonPaar]

  • Viscosity curve as a function of time, temperature, shear rate and shear stress
  • Complex viscosity as a function of time, temperature, frequency, strain and stress
  • Shear stress as a function of shear strain to identify the linear visco-elastic region of the sample.
  • Elastic (G'), loss (G"), complex modulus (G*), tan𝛿 as a function of time, temperature, frequency, strain and stress in shear mode.
  • Raw data, LAOS waveforms
  • Experimental Possibilities: Interfacial Rheology, Tribology, Microscopy & UV-Curing
  • Liquid Cooled Peltier temperature controller [Temperature range: - 20 to 200 ℃] for plate/plate & cone/plate measuring geometries
  • High temperature convection furnace [Temperature Range: -150 deg C to 450 deg C] for plate/plate, cone/plate measuring geometries

Specification of the instrument

Resources

Rheometer SOP

Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC)

  • Accurate Molecular Weight Analysis: Measures absolute and relative molecular weights (Mn, Mw, Mz) and molecular weight distribution of polymers.
  • Flexible Detector Integration: Compatible with RI (Refractive Index), Viscometer and LS detector.
  • Advanced Column Options: Supports PLgel Mixed, PL aquagel-OH and other Agilent columns tailored for organic and aqueous GPC separations.
  • Powerful Software: Includes Agilent GPC/SEC software with integrated data analysis, peak integration, calibration, and reporting tools.
  • Broad Solvent Compatibility: Suitable for use with both organic (e.g., THF) and aqueous solvents, covering a wide range of polymer types.
  • High Throughput and Reproducibility: Offers automated sample handling and consistent flow control for reproducible results.
  • Temperature-Controlled Column Oven: Ensures stable separation conditions for temperature-sensitive polymers.
  • Low Detection Limits: Sensitive detection of low-concentration polymer solutions.

Specification of the instrument

GPC Sample Preparation Guide

GPC-Columns

Standard Operating Procedure Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

High Pressure (High Performance) Liquid Chromatography

  • Modular and Flexible Design: Supports customizable configurations with isocratic, quaternary, or binary pumps, autosamplers, detectors, and column compartments.
  • Wide Range of Detectors: Compatible with PDA (Photodiode Array) & ELSD detectors.
  • High Sensitivity and Precision: Ensures accurate and reproducible results, even for low-concentration analytes.
  • Fast and Efficient Separations: Supports rapid-resolution and ultra-fast LC methods with high throughput.
  • Broad Application Range: Suitable for pharmaceuticals, polymers, food and beverage, environmental, petrochemical, and life science research.
  • Wide pH and Solvent Compatibility: Capable of handling a variety of aqueous and organic mobile phases, supporting reversed-phase, normal-phase, ion exchange, and size exclusion modes.
  • Precise Temperature Control: Column ovens maintain stable conditions for improved separation and reproducibility.
  • Automated Sampling and Gradient Control: Enhances workflow efficiency with autosamplers, solvent degassers, and programmable gradient mixing.

Specification of the instrument

Resources

HPLC Columns

HPLC SOP