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FT-IR Spectroscopy
IN BRIEF Identification of molecular organic and inorganic materials Powerful tool for polymers and rubbers, including deformulation and kinetics Infrared microscopy for mapping and analysis to below 5 micron size resolution Simple analysis through ATR Excellent tools for mixture analysis Non-destructive, often non-contact analysis Heavily used in quality control/quality assurance settings
Thermo Scientific Products: Nicolet iS5 FT-IR Spectrometer Nicolet iS10 FT-IR Spectrometer Nicolet 6700 FT-IR Spectrometer Nicolet 8700 FT-IR Spectrometer Nicolet Continum Microscope Nicolet iN10/iN10MX FT-IR Microscope

Basic Theory
Molecules that have a change in dipole moment when they vibrate absorb infrared radiation. This absorption is indicated by peaks in the spectrum, with the peaks being specific for the type of vibration. Thus, alcohols look different from ketones, and esters from ethers. This is the source of the identification power of Infrared spectroscopy. Fourier transform (FT) relates to a mathematic way to convert rapidly collected time domain data to spectra that we can interpret. The combination of computers and interferometry supply the power of FT-IR. When configuring an FT-IR spectrometer, it is important to define the specific target. Most users operate in the mid-IR where the majority of the absorption bands appear. Some users select near-IR for the ease of sampling, although some information is lost, or far-IR when inorganic species are involved. In each case, the spectrometer components need to be properly selected a combination of sources, beam splitters and detectors. The size (intensity) of the absorptions depends upon several factors, but particularly useful information is concentration such that FT-IR can be used in quantitative analyses. The FT spectrometer works by splitting an IR beam into two. When these recombine, the light waves interfere constructively or destructively, creating the interferogram which is the time domain signal. The transform converts this to a spectrum that can be interpreted. A common sampling technique is ATR, or attenuated total reflectance. Samples are placed on a crystal; the IR light hits the back of the crystal and absorption occurs on the surface. This is easy, fast and requires minimal sample preparation.

Applications
FT-IR spectra reveal the composition of solids, liquids and gases. The most common use is in identification of unknown materials and confirmation of production materials (incoming or outgoing). The information content is very specific in most cases, permitting fine discrimination between like materials. The speed of analysis makes it particularly useful in screening applications, while the sensitivity empowers many advanced research applications. The total scope of FT-IR applications is extensive. Some of the more common applications are: Incoming materials/outgoing materials quality verification Deformulation of polymers, rubbers and other materials through TGA-IR or GC-IR Analysis of small sections of materials using microscopy, to identify contaminants Analysis of thin films and coatings Automotive or smokestack emissions monitoring Failure analysis As an example, on an automobile, a huge number of components are susceptible to FT-IR analysis: epoxies, oil coatings on parts, fuel, rubber seals and o-rings, tires, paints, fabrics (flame retardants) and exhaust emissions, to name a few.

Technology
FT-IR is very fast spectra can be collected in seconds, and a library search provides immediate identification. In less than a minute, you go from an unknown to a known identity. With ATR, you can process raw samples. The entire spectrum is collected at once, and you can co-add spectra to improve the signal to noise ratio. Dynamic alignment allows the instrument to be used in noisy environments, and sealing keeps out dust. FT-IR is one of the most common analysis tools used in laboratories world wide.

For more information go to www.thermoscientific.com/MaterialsScience

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