micro FT-IR Spectroscopy
An excellent method to find out the type of material of an unknown or a contaminant is to analyse it with FT-IR spectroscopy. Micro FT- IR can analyze an area or material as small as 10 microns.
Polymers, plastics, coatings, powders, residues, and liquids can be analyzed to find out the materials' chemical properties, composition, and determine the functional groups.
What is FTIR?
The Fourier Transform is a mathematical process used to convert raw data into a readable spectrum. The data is produced by collecting the light that is absorbed by the bonds of vibrating molecules to provide a molecular fingerprint. In other words, an IR beam irradiates a sample over a range of frequencies (4000 cm-1 -400 cm-1). The sample absorbs this energy at specific frequencies according to the bond and the energy is dispersed through vibratory modes. A fingerprint spectra is produced and then matched with our large library.
Micro FTIR Example
Example of determining an unknown contaminent to be a silk hair from corn.
Micro FT-IR Modes
A material's composition can be identified using either transmission, reflection, or ATR modes.
Material Identification
Chemical Analysis
Functional Groups
SEM/EDS Microscopy