research • monitoring • analytical methods

Laboratory of Physical and Chemical Research and Materials Science

Research and monitoring of environmental monitoring objects, mineral raw materials, metals, alloys, structural materials and protective coatings, including analysis of chemical, phase and mechanical composition, as well as monitoring of ionizing radiation indicators.

Factors of ionizing radiation

Determination of the specific activity of radionuclides, levels of ionizing radiation, total alpha and beta activity of various samples.

Mineral raw materials and processing waste

Quality control and chemical composition of ores, concentrates and waste from mining and processing industries.

Materials, metals and alloys

Analysis of the chemical and phase composition of structural materials, metals and alloys, as well as the degree of their thermochemical treatment.

Protective coatings

Evaluation of thickness, adhesion, composition and other quality indicators of protective coatings for materials and products.

Optical phase analysis

Study of the phase composition of metals and alloys using optical methods to solve problems of control and materials science.

Control methods

7 Areas of activity

Key areas of laboratory activity

The laboratory combines fundamental and applied approaches in analytical chemistry, materials science, geochemistry, environmental monitoring, and technological diagnostics. Below are seven key areas that define its scientific and applied profile.
Direction 01

Elemental and chemical analysis

Qualitative and quantitative determination of the elemental composition of inorganic, organic and mixed materials at trace levels using ICP-MS, ICP-OES, AAS, CHNS analyzers, as well as systems for determining the content of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon and sulfur.
Direction 02

Structural and phase analysis

Determination of phase composition, degree of crystallinity, and structural parameters of substances using X-ray diffractometers and X-ray fluorescence systems. Minerals, ceramics, alloys, catalysts, construction materials, and nanomaterials are studied.
Direction 03

Analysis of organic compounds of complex composition

Identification and quantification of organic components including pesticides, dioxins, pharmaceuticals, petroleum products, pollutants and metabolites using liquid and gas chromatography with mass selective detectors.
Direction 04

Radiochemical and radiometric studies

Monitoring the radioactivity of natural and man-made environments—soil, water, air, building materials, and food—using scintillation and alpha-beta radiometers. This area is important for radiation and environmental monitoring and sanitary and hygienic surveys.
Direction 05

Technological and physicochemical studies of materials

Sample testing and preparation: calcination, melting, drying, pressing, grinding, and sample preparation. Muffle furnaces, melting units, mills, vibratory drives, presses, and acid digestion systems are used.
Direction 06

Electrochemical analysis and diagnostics of solutions

Measurement of acidity, oxidation-reduction potential, electrical conductivity, ion and microelement concentrations using voltammetric complexes, titrators, pH meters, ionometers and conductometers.
Direction 07

Development and quality control of samples and materials

Preparation and analysis of samples of natural, industrial, and synthetic materials: rocks, ores, soils, metals, ceramics, polymers, oil, carbon materials, water, and chemical reagents. The results are used for certification, standardization, scientific, and applied research.
Environmental monitoring
Radiation control
Mineral resources and ores
Metals and alloys
Protective coatings
Soils, groundwater and water resources
Industrial quality control
Certification and testing
Laboratory team

Scientific leadership and laboratory staff

Head and team of the laboratory of physicochemical research and materials science
Laboratory equipment

Infrastructure and analytical equipment

The laboratory is equipped with modern high-tech analytical instruments for elemental, structural, chromatographic, spectral, radiometric, and physicochemical analysis. The infrastructure includes ICP-MS and ICP-OES systems, liquid and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, elemental analysis, radiometric instruments, sample preparation systems, titration equipment, spectrophotometry, as well as thermal and auxiliary laboratory equipment.

iCAP RQ Plus + ISC-65

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer with autosampler

ICP-MS system for ultra-trace determination of elements in water, soils, biological materials, and industrial samples. The autosampler enables stable and continuous batch measurements.

TSQ Quantis Vanquish Flex

Liquid chromatograph with a triple quadrupole mass-selective detector

LC-MS/MS system for the sensitive determination of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and organic pollutants in complex matrices.

Trace 1610 TSQ9610

Gas chromatograph with mass spectrometer

GC-MS/MS system for the analysis of volatile and semi-volatile compounds, petroleum products, solvents, and environmental pollutants.

MiniFlex 600 Rigaku

Benchtop X-ray diffractometer

X-ray diffractometer for phase analysis and the study of the crystal structure of minerals, ceramics, powders, and other materials.

Shimadzu EDX 7000P

Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer

XRF system for rapid, non-destructive elemental analysis of alloys, powders, mineral raw materials, and coatings.

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