Inorganic anions and cations
anion or cation IC
Material Analysis · Composition & Elemental
Ion Chromatography (including Combustion IC) (IC/CIC)
Characterise inorganic anions and cations, organic acids or target ionic species, and total halogens or sulfur after combustion IC using a scope agreed around your sample and decision.
- Price
- from£165 per sample, excl. VAT
- Turnaround
- 7 working days Preparation and scope dependent
- Available platforms
- Thermo Fisher Dionex ICS-6000 HPICMetrohm 940 Professional IC VarioShimadzu HIC-ESP
- Typical outputs
- Ion chromatogramsConcentration tableCalibration, blank, spike, and QC summaryProcessed chromatogram or spectrum
Why this service
What IC/CIC can help you understand
Ion Chromatography (including Combustion IC) is selected when the project needs defensible information on inorganic anions and cations, organic acids or target ionic species, or total halogens or sulfur…
Organic acids or target ionic species
combustion IC
Total halogens or sulfur after combustion IC
gradient or specialised speciation method
Choose the scope
Start from the question, not the tool
The method, preparation route and reporting depth depend on what you need to decide.
Anion or cation IC
inorganic anions and cations
- Best used when
- inorganic anions and cations
- Typical result
- Ion chromatograms
- Preparation note
- Declare volatility, corrosivity, suspended solids and any storage or temperature requirement.
Combustion IC
organic acids or target ionic species
- Best used when
- organic acids or target ionic species
- Typical result
- Concentration table
- Preparation note
- Confirm power, connections, operating state, access restrictions and permitted disassembly.
Gradient or specialised speciation method
total halogens or sulfur after combustion IC
- Best used when
- total halogens or sulfur after combustion IC
- Typical result
- Calibration, blank, spike, and QC summary
- Preparation note
- Confirm dimensions, cutting permission and whether the original geometry must be preserved.
Common outputs
A result package matched to the decision you need to make
Fields, conditions, processing and file formats are confirmed before work begins.
Ion chromatograms reported with the agreed units, sample reference and measurement conditions.
Concentration table supplied in a labelled format suitable for direct sample or condition comparison.
Calibration, blank, spike, and QC summary provided with the processing basis and quality checks agreed during technical review.
Processed chromatogram or spectrum included when selected in the confirmed reporting scope.
Example results
What IC/CIC results can look like
Sample requirements
What to provide before work begins
Provide representative, clearly labelled samples and identify the decision, feature or comparison that matters.
| Suitable sample | Submission requirement | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid / solution | Provide a sealed, compatible container labelled with composition, concentration and solvent. | Declare volatility, corrosivity, suspended solids and any storage or temperature requirement. |
| Device / assembly | Provide a complete labelled device or assembly with drawings, interfaces and operating limits. | Confirm power, connections, operating state, access restrictions and permitted disassembly. |
| Solid / component | Provide a clean, stable and clearly labelled specimen with the target face or region identified. | Confirm dimensions, cutting permission and whether the original geometry must be preserved. |
Objective: state the decision, comparison or acceptance criterion the work must support.
Handling and access: declare hazards, instability, confidentiality, file constraints or special logistics before dispatch or transfer.
Questions and answers
Common planning decisions
Short answers to issues that can change preparation, scope, timing or interpretation.
What should I send for Ion Chromatography (including Combustion IC)?
Provide liquid / solution, device / assembly, solid / component as applicable. Exact quantity, dimensions and preparation are confirmed during technical review.
Which analysis option should I choose?
Choose the mode around the decision you need to make. For inorganic anions and cations, start with anion or cation IC; add combustion IC when comparison or quantification is required.
How long will the test take?
Typical turnaround is 7 working days after sample acceptance and method confirmation.
What can limit the result?
Co-elution, carbonate, high salt, and extraction recovery can affect results. The method quantifies selected ions, not all elemental forms.
Configure the service
Send the information needed to scope IC/CIC correctly
- Sample form, material, dimensions and quantity
- Feature or decision the result must address
- Required comparison, acceptance criterion or reference
- Preferred output and reporting depth