Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
Infrared spectroscopy is useful for the identification of both organic and inorganic compounds. Aggregates of atoms (or functional groups) such as C=O, -NO2, C-N, and C-F; just to name a few, are all associated with characteristic infrared absorptions. Thus, infrared spectroscopy is ideal for the identification of functional groups present within a sample. FT-IR capabilities within the MCL are geared towards the analysis of solids (organic, inorganic, and biological) in a variety of forms to include: fibers, thin films, microtome cuts, particles, powders, coatings, residues, monolayers, and monolithic solids. With the recent acquisition of an infrared microscope MCL now has FT-IR mapping/imaging capabilities along with the capacity to perform infrared microanalysis on samples down to ~10 microns in size.
Rates
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Sample Requirements
- The detection limit for routine analysis is ~0.1 wt%; under ideal conditions greater sensitivity can be achieved
- Typically only a few milligrams of material are needed for analysis.
- Samples may be in liquid, solid, or gaseous form. The majority of MCL owned accessories are for solid sampling. However, limited capabilities exist for liquid and gas sampling.
- Additional sample requirements vary widely depending upon the specific technique employed for analysis. See Sampling Methods for details, then contact one of the above MCL staff members.
Resources
- To assist in the identification of unknown compounds, the MCL has access to Bio-Rad Laboratories HaveItAll® infrared database containing over 220,000 spectra.
- See the FT-IR resources page for links to vendors, databases, and journals relevant to FT-IR. This page also includes a short list of excellent FT-IR related books that discuss theory, instrumentation, and interpretation.