Various electrochemical methods are available:

In cyclovoltammetry, the voltage at an electrode is changed cyclically and the resulting current is measured. This produces a characteristic current-voltage diagram (cyclovoltammogram), which provides information about redox processes.

Chronopotentiometry: In this method, a constant current is send through an electrochemical cell and the resulting potential is measured over time.

Chronoamperometry: A constant potential is applied (usually as a jump from one value to another) and the resulting current is measured over time.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS): In this technique, a small sinusoidal alternating voltage with variable frequency is applied and the impedance (complex resistance) of the system is measured. This provides information about resistances, capacitances, and other processes in the system.

Cyclovoltammetry

• Determination of redox potentials and electron transfer kinetics
• Investigation of electrode processes and reaction mechanisms
• Characterization of batteries, fuel cells, and corrosion processes
• Development of electrochemical sensors

Chronopotentiometry

• Determination of diffusion coefficients
• Investigation of reaction mechanisms
• Analysis of the kinetics of electrochemical processes

Chronoamperometry

• Investigation of diffusion processes
• Determination of electrode reaction rates
• Sensor technology
• Corrosion studies
• Characterization of catalytic surfaces

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)

•  Corrosion research
•  Coating characterization
•  Biosensors
•  Investigation of interfacial processes

In mass spectrometry combined with photodissociation, molecules are irradiated with light in order to fragment them in a targeted manner and obtain detailed structural information.

•  Information about the structure of molecules (e.g., functional groups, types of bonds)
•  Information about the properties of chemical bonds

Stark vergrößerte Darstellung von Oberflächen. Folgende Technologien stehen zur Verfügung:

Highly magnified representation of surfaces. The following technologies are available:

Analyses in the micro- to nanometer range:

• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM): An electron beam scans the sample surface, and the interaction provides high-resolution topographical and chemical information.
• Transmission scanning electron microscopy (STEM): Uses the same principle as SEM, but the beam penetrates the (thin) sample and provides information about the structures inside. 

Analysis at the atomic level:

• Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS): STM: At small distances (< 1 nm) between the conductive tip and the sample, a measurable tunneling current flows, allowing individual atoms and their electronic properties to be visualized. STS also provides electronic information about the density of states.
• Atomic force microscopy (AFM): A nanoscopically fine needle is pressed against the sample by a leaf spring, and the atomic forces bend the leaf spring. In contrast to RTM, also non-conductive samples can be analyzed. 
• Atomic force microscopy with IR coupling (AFM-IR): This hybrid technique combines the high spatial resolution of AFM with the chemical specificity of IR spectroscopy. The IR-induced thermal expansion of the sample is detected via the AFM tip, providing chemical information with nanometer resolution.

Analyses in the micro- to nanometer range:

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

• Characterization of surface morphology and microstructures
• Particle measurement and shape analysis
• Quality control of coated surfaces
• Material testing of fracture surfaces and wear phenomena
• Development of nanostructured materials

Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM)

• Atomic structure analysis of nanomaterials
• Characterization of interfaces and defects
• Phase distribution in nanostructures, chemical analysis on a nanoscale

Analyses at the atomic level:

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS)

• Atomic resolution of conductive surfaces
• Investigation of surface reconstructions and defects
• Analysis of adsorption processes at the atomic level
• Determination of local electronic properties

Atomic force microscopy (AFM)

• Topographical characterization with atomic resolution of non-conductive surfaces
• Investigation of biomolecules under physiological conditions
• Characterization of 2D materials and thin films

Atomic force microscopy with IR coupling (AFM-IR)

• Investigation of degradation processes in materials
• Development of functional coatings
• Quality control in microelectronics
• Chemical mapping of polymer blends and composites
• Characterization of membranes and cell structures

Rheology deals with the deformation and flow behavior of matter. The groups at FSP FunMat can offer various methods:

Rheometry: Measurement of the flow and deformation properties of materials under mechanical stress
Density determination
Viscosity determination: dynamic viscosity, intrinsic viscosity, molar mass of polymers

Rheometry

• Flow behavior of liquids and pastes
• Processability of plastics

Density determination

• Purity testing of chemicals and solvents
• Porosity of foams
• Degree of cross-linking in thermosets

Viscosity measurement

• Measurements on samples as small as 100 µl
• Polymerization behaviour
• Flow behaviour of adhesives
• Pumpability of suspensions and pastes
• Spray behaviour of coatings
• Drip behaviour of dispensing liquids

Textile strength and elongation measurement is an important testing method in the textile industry, in which the mechanical properties of textile materials are examined.

• Qualitätskontrolle: Überprüfung, ob Textilien die geforderten Festigkeitswerte erfüllen
• Materialauswahl: Vergleich verschiedener Stoffe für spezifische Anwendungen
• Produktentwicklung: Optimierung von Geweben, Gestricken oder technischen Textilien

Thermal analysis examines the properties and changes of materials as a function of temperature. Several methods are available:

• DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) and DTA (differential thermal analysis): measurement of heat released or absorbed during heating, determination of phase transitions
• TGA (thermogravimetry): Mass change of a sample as a function of temperature or time
• DMA (dynamic mechanical analysis): Analysis of the viscoelasticity of polymers
• DMTA (dynamic mechanical thermal analysis) in tension: The sample is subjected to tensile forces to determine viscoelastic properties

The methods can be coupled with a mass spectrometer (MS) to identify the decomposition products.

• DTA: Investigation of mineral substances, e.g., dehydration of clays and clinker phase formation in raw cement meals,  recording of the heat of reaction during the combustion of organic substances, characterization of plastics
• DSC: Determination of melting and crystallization enthalpies, measurement of specific heat capacity, quantification of reaction enthalpies, purity determination via melting point depression
• TGA: Analysis of thermal and oxidation stability, composition analysis, determination of moisture, volatile components, and ash, analysis of minerals and their decomposition behavior, purity determination, water content in hydrates and salts, solvent residues
• DMA: Determination of the glass transition temperature and rheological properties of plastics
• DMTA in tension: Fiber characterization, temperature stability, aging and tensile behavior of fibers