Different techniques are available in the GESEP laboratory:
- Chemical characterisation/analysis equipment: infrared Fourier transformation spectroscopy (FTIR) with accessories capable of analysing solid samples by means of ATR, diffuse reflectance, specular reflectance, transmission (with a hydraulic press for the manufacture of KBr tablets). UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy equipment for liquids and solids, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS), total organic carbon analyser, total nitrogen, chemical oxygen demand (COD), ultrapure water production equipment, conductimeters, pH analysers, power supplies, ultrasound, among others.
- A system for purging compressed air and removing carbon dioxide and water vapour with several elements: air dryers, filters and automatic or capacitive traps.
- Synthesis equipment: There is a muffle to carry out the synthesis or thermal treatment of electrodes and a surface treatment equipment with atmospheric plasma (which improves the affinity and stability of surface deposits).
- Electrochemical synthesis: Potentiostatics, galvanostatic and potential scan techniques for the synthesis of conductive polymers, Reduced Graphene Oxide, Pt nanoparticles and other coatings.
- Electrochemical characterisation equipment: There are four potentiostats/galvanostats to carry out the electrochemical characterisation of the different electrodes developed using techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, chronopotentiometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, etc. They can also be used to carry out the electrolysis in a controlled way. Power supplies are available in case higher intensities or potentials are applied in electrolysis. Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) equipment is available to map the electrochemical activity of the coatings.
- Zeiss stereoscopic microscopy equipment that allows the surface morphology study of materials after synthesis.
- Scale-lab electrochemical reactors and filter-press electrochemical reactors for higher-scale electrolyses.
- Reference and counter electrodes of different composition.
Different techniques are available in the AOP laboratory:
- Photochemical reactors: The laboratories of the Advanced Oxidation Process Group of UPV are provided with different experimental reaction facilities for water decontamination and disinfection by photo-assisted advanced processes (hydroxyl-based AOPs, sulfate-based AOPs and ARP), mainly photocatalysis, Fenton, photo-Fenton, UV/Ozone/H2O2. The facilities include scale-lab reactors to work with UVA, UVC and simulated solar radiation, two solar simulators, equipped with a xenon lamp whose spectrum closely matches the solar one, able to irradiate 250 ml of solution, a 1-litre axial photoreactor that can be irradiated with VUV (excimers lamp), UVC (low-pressure mercury lamp) and UVA-visible (xenon lamp); this reactor can also be employed for ozonation when fed with this gas, that is produced by an ozone generation, able to produce up to 8 g/h when fed with pure oxygen. a UV pilot plant and several photoreactors combined with ZVI reduction reactors. Radiometers and spectroradiometers of different spectral responses are also available for the characterisation of light sources.
- Wastewater treatment Plants: 4 solar photo-reactors based on CPC technologies, able to treat 4, 10, 25 and 30 litres. The 30-litre plant allows combining solar processes with UV and membrane treatments.
- Ultrafiltration plant, supplied by TAMI Industries (Nyons Cedex, France), which can be operated in a tangential flux of 4 L/m2·h. The group has ceramic membranes with three different pore sizes (molecular weight cut-off equal to 300 kDa, 150 kDa and 50 kDa).
- Water Analytical Laboratory: Measurement of organic matter by a TOC analyser that also has a device for analysis of solid samples, as well as detection for total nitrogen. The laboratory is also equipped to determine specific physical-chemical parameters: COD, surface tension, analysis of solids, Kjeldahl nitrogen, potentiometric determination of ions, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, etc. The group can also perform assays of biocompatibility of an effluent: determination of BOD, two respirometers which can operate with activated sludge or a luminometer to assess detoxification.
- Chromatographic analysis: HPLC, UHPLC with UV-vis diode array and fluorescence detectors, ionic chromatography, gel permeation chromatography and gas chromatography with a mass detector (quadrupole). The laboratory also has equipment for the concentration and preparation of samples.
- Spectroscopic analysis: UV-visible, reflection spectroscopy for solid samples, IR spectroscopy and steady-state UV fluorescence, able to acquire excitation-emission matrices.
- Equipment for toxicity assays: refrigerated incubator with light, freezers, vacuum extraction system, rotavapor, orbital shaker, centrifuge, ultracentrifuge, stereoscopic microscopes, and laminar flow hoods for microbiological analysis.
- Nanoparticle characterisation: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with a Sputter Coater for observation of nanoparticles in their characterisation. A Coulter counter to determine particle size and distribution for microparticles. Differential Scanning Calorimetry to characterise the nanoparticles. Dynamic light scattering to determine hydrodynamic radii of particles.
Different techniques are available in the GIITEX laboratory:
• Zeiss microscope: observation of fibres, filaments and tissues at the microstructural level; analysis of surface morphology.
• Binocular magnifier: Visual inspection of tissues, threads and samples for defects or structure control.
• Magnifier/microscope camera: Digital capture of microscopic images for documentation and analysis of results.
• Zwick dynamometer: Measurement of tensile strength, elongation and mechanical properties of threads and fabrics.
• Winding machine: Preparation of uniform coils for testing or laboratory processes.
• UV radiation sensor: Measurement of exposure or degradation of materials against ultraviolet radiation.
• Ion sensor: Determination of ionic concentration in dye baths or finishes.
• Single-pull sewing machine: Sewing tests or experimental weaving of textile prototypes.
• Mettler Toledo Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC): Thermal analysis to determine transitions (fusion, crystallisation, Tg) in polymers and fibres.
• Büchi calorimeter: Measurement of exothermic or endothermic reactions in finishing or dyeing processes.
• Linitest: Assessment of colour fastness to wash under controlled conditions.
• Crockmeter: Test of colour fastness to rubbing (dry and wet).
• Transfer plate: Application of finishes or thermal transfer stamping.
• Particle counter (Coulter Counter): Quantification of microfibers or particles released by textile materials.
• Scanning electron microscope (SEM Phenom): Surface and morphology analysis of fibres and coatings at high resolution.
• IKA Emulsifier: Preparation of emulsions or dispersions for finishing formulations or coatings.
• Viscometer: Measurement of the viscosity of pastes, dispersions or textile baths.
• Conditioning oven: Drying and conditioning of samples before testing.
• Double Sorter (Keisokki): Classification of fibres by length.
• Pressley Tester (Keisokki): Measurement of the toughness of individual fibres.
• Aspe y cuadrantes: Measurement of titles and preparation of skeins for tests.
• Mextex and balance: Determination of titers and weights in fibres, threads and fabrics.
• Torsiometer: Measurement of torsion in threads.
• Gauge: Evaluation of thread uniformity.
• Micronaire: Measurement of fineness and maturity of cotton fibres.
• Liquid spectrophotometer: Measurement of colour in solutions or dye baths.
• Minolta solids spectrophotometer: Colour measurement in solid textile substrates.
• Heating plate: Controlled heating of samples for tests or treatments.
• Open control tin / Pad-Therm / Fulard TEPA: Equipment for impregnation and thermosetting of finishes or tinctures.
• Vertical vaporiser: Fixation of reactive or dispersed dyes by steam.
• Laboratory washing machine: Strength and wash behaviour tests.
• Flat and rotary printing table: Development of samples for manual or semi-automatic textile printing.
• Mechanical and magnetic stirrers: preparation of homogeneous solutions and formulations.
• pHmeters: pH control in dyeing, finishing or washing processes.
• Digital printing plotter: Digital printing of textile motifs for prototyping or ink validation.
• Soxhlet: Extraction of soluble components (fats, pigments, residues) from fibres or tissues.
• Mechanism for chemical consolidation of nonwovens: Production of nonwovens by chemical or adhesive bonding.
• Particle screening system: Granulometric classification of pigments or fillers.
• Thermochromic chamber: Evaluation of materials with thermal or colourimetric response to heat.
• Electrospinning (Bioinicia) with co-extrusion: Production of single-component or double-layer nanofibers for functional tissues.
• Water column resistance equipment: Waterproof test on technical fabrics.
• Flexural stiffness measurement system (Laboquim): Determination of the stiffness and flexibility of tissues.
• Perspirometer: Test of colour fastness to sweat.
• Permetest: Measurement of breathability and thermal resistance of fabrics.
• Carding for veil formation: Preparation of fibre veils for spinning or nonwoven processes.
Different techniques are available in the Electron Microscopy Service in the UPV:
• High-resolution Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (HRFESEM) and energy dispersive X-rays (EDX).
• Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy with focused ion beam (FIB-FESEM).
• Field Emission Transmission Electron Microscopy (FETEM).
• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to characterise the roughness and topography of the different coatings.
• X-ray microscopy (XRM) will be used to characterise the different 3D electrodes using X-ray tomography, allowing us to know the status of the 3D electrodes without destroying them.