Everything You Need to Know About Micro FTIR

Updated on August 18, 2022

FTIR is a spectroscopy technique commonly used to determine the functional structure of organic chemicals. This technique analyzes samples using a broad frequency spectrum of infrared light. This beam spans the energies of the majority of organic molecule vibrations. A micro fitr uses a microscope to focus a laser beam onto the sample. It works better on solid samples than on thin films. The information gleaned from a micro FTIR depends on the focal point and can change abruptly if the sample is displaced. As a result, FTIR is an extremely versatile instrument that allows scientists to identify various materials, including plastics, metals, and many other substances.

FTIR spectroscopy

FTIR spectroscopy provides information on chemical compounds at the nanoscale, and micro-FTIR is a method for measuring these. This technique is especially useful for quantifying plastic materials, as most common plastics display a rich IR spectrum. First, the sample must be placed in a cuvette and mixed with KBr powder to perform FTIR analysis. After the sample has been mixed with KBr, it must be deposited on a KBr crystal. Next, the sample is placed in the instrument’s optical path, where a laser beam passes through it. When forensic scientists access information about FTIR, an adwords management agency can help increase traffic through proven techniques. Another application of micro-FTIR spectroscopy is the visualization of fluid inclusions. In this application, the host crystal must be doubly polished to expose the inclusion on both sides of the crystal slice. It allows the IR beam to interact with the inclusion rather than the surrounding crystals. 

FTIR interferogram

In the Micro FTIR interferogram, the chemical maps of the microscopic field show distinct sporinite, funginite, and vitrinite. Representative FTIR spectra are shown in the panels. For example, in panel c, the area with a high signal intensity is labeled red, while those with a low signal intensity are labeled blue. Both areas correspond to the aliphatic and aromatic peaks of the sample.

This method is non-destructive and suitable for studies of minute inclusions in fragile samples. For example, it has been used to analyze the H2O content of melt inclusions in silicate glasses. The Micro FTIR technique is an effective tool for the geochemical characterization of OM in coal and shale. Micro FTIR quantification of organic compounds in shale is also possible. However, there are several limitations to micro-FTIR. Its aperture is large, and its light source is conventional. Moreover, it can only identify molecules that are larger than 15 micrometers in size.

Sample preparation

Micro FTIR requires sample preparation. It is possible to get solid chemical identification from small samples, but you must prepare them correctly. The sample size should be representative of the product to be analyzed. The micro FTIR system probes deeper into the chemical makeup of minute samples. The micro FTIR system is an enhanced version of FTIR, a versatile spectroscopic technique. It adds to the power of FTIR and is an important step in the chemical identification process.

The sample thickness should be within 10 to 20 um. Very thin polymer materials are difficult to handle, and sample preparation can help avoid these problems by microtomes. The samples can be embedded in resin support or microtomized to reduce curling, static stick, and other problems. By embedding the sample in a resin, you can add another material with a complex IR spectrum.

Applications

FTIR imaging techniques are used to analyze crystal samples, including the Franklin Furnace from Stromboli, Italy. This technique allows for the direct visualization of fluid inclusions, such as H2O, and can record dynamic geological processes. This process has several advantages but requires a specific sample preparation method. However, these techniques are now possible with the advent of synchrotron radiation. One advantage of micro FTIR over conventional transmission FTIR methods is that it eliminates sample preparation challenges. Moreover, it enables non-destructive analysis of samples with intact mineral-mineral or inter-maceral associations. This technique is especially useful for analyzing microscopic heterogeneities in coal, mineralogy, and OM types. Various imaging processing software is available for determining the composition of samples.

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