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FTIR Instrument

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is an analytical technique used to identify and characterize chemical compounds by measuring their infrared light absorption. It operates through a Michelson interferometer and provides unique molecular fingerprints for precise identification, with applications in material analysis, biomedical diagnostics, and chemical characterization. FTIR is known for its rapid analysis, enhanced sensitivity, and accuracy, making it essential in various scientific and industrial fields.

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16 views7 pages

FTIR Instrument

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is an analytical technique used to identify and characterize chemical compounds by measuring their infrared light absorption. It operates through a Michelson interferometer and provides unique molecular fingerprints for precise identification, with applications in material analysis, biomedical diagnostics, and chemical characterization. FTIR is known for its rapid analysis, enhanced sensitivity, and accuracy, making it essential in various scientific and industrial fields.

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FTIR Instrument

Introduction:

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a versatile analytical technique


used to identify and characterize chemical compounds by measuring their absorption
of infrared light. It provides detailed molecular "fingerprints," enabling detection of
functional groups, analysis of material composition, and quality control in
pharmaceuticals, polymers, environmental science, and forensics.

Principle of FTIR:

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyzes materials by directing


infrared (IR) radiation through a sample, where specific wavelengths are absorbed
due to molecular vibrations of chemical bonds (e.g., C-O, N-H). The transmitted and
absorbed light generates a spectrum that serves as a unique molecular "fingerprint,"
reflecting the sample’s composition. Absorption peaks correspond to bond-specific
energy transitions, while transmission highlights unabsorbed wavelengths. Each
compound’s distinct atomic arrangement ensures no two substances share identical
spectra, akin to human fingerprints. This specificity allows precise identification and
analysis of materials based on their IR absorption patterns.

The Beer-Lambert Law governs the quantitative aspect of FTIR, where absorbance
is proportional to the concentration of the absorbing species.

The key molecular vibrations include:

 Stretching: Changes in bond length.

 Bending: Changes in bond angle.


Instrumentation:

The Michelson interferometer consists of a beam splitter, a moving mirror, and a


stationary mirror. The beam splitter divides the light beam into two halves, which are
reflected by the moving and fixed mirrors before being recombined by the beam
splitter.

As the moving mirror makes reciprocating movements, the optical path difference to
the fixed mirror changes, causing the phase difference to shift over time. Interference
light is created in the Michelson interferometer by recombining the light beams. An
interferogram records the intensity of the interference light, with the optical path
difference recorded along the horizontal axis.

Fig.1

Components of FTIR Instrument:

1. Source
o Emits broadband infrared light (mid-IR, far-IR, or near-IR) to interact
with the sample.

o Material-specific sources (ceramic, mercury lamps, halogen lamps)


define the spectral range for analyzing different materials.

2. Interferometer

o Splits and recombines light using mirrors and a beamsplitter to


generate interference patterns.

o Enables simultaneous measurement of all wavelengths, enhancing


speed and sensitivity via Fourier transform analysis.

3. Sample Compartment

o Facilitates interaction between IR light and the sample via transmission


or reflection.

o Detects absorption of specific frequencies, revealing molecular


vibrations for unique spectral identification.

4. Detector

o Converts transmitted/reflected light into electrical signals for data


processing.

o Detector type (e.g., MCT, DTGS) determines sensitivity and resolution,


ensuring accurate spectral data.
Fig. 2

Working:

The FTIR spectrometer operates as follows:

i. The IR source emits radiation, which passes through an aperture to control


energy intensity.

ii. The beam enters the interferometer, where it is split into two paths by the
beam splitter and reflected by stationary and moving mirrors.

iii. The recombined beams form an interferogram, which encodes spectral


information.

iv. The modulated beam passes through the sample compartment, where
specific frequencies are absorbed.

v. The detector measures the remaining radiation and converts it into an


electrical signal.

vi. The computer performs Fourier transformation on this signal to produce a


readable spectrum.
Sample result using FTIR:

Fig.3

Advantages:

i. Rapid Analysis : FT-IR measures all frequencies simultaneously, enabling


data collection in seconds and allowing multiple scans to reduce noise.
ii. Enhanced Sensitivity: Utilizes superior detectors, higher optical throughput,
and coaddition of scans to achieve low noise levels and high sensitivity.
iii. Accuracy & Reliability:Provides precise, reproducible results ideal for
background subtraction and material identification.
iv. Self-Calibration : Internal HeNe laser ensures automatic wavelength
calibration, eliminating manual adjustments.
v. High Throughput & Precision: Delivers superior radiant power to the detector,
supports small sample analysis, and uses a laser reference for consistent,
interference-free measurements.

Disadvantages:

i. The molecule must be active in the infrared range.


ii. For the majority of samples, minimal elemental information is provided.

iii. The material being tested must be transparent in the spectral region of
interest.

Application:

1. Material Analysis & Quality Control:


Used to examine industrial materials (polymers, photoresists, polyimides) for
composition changes, contamination, and quality assurance in raw/final
products.

2. Biomedical & Biomolecular Applications:


Diagnoses organ diseases and quantifies biomolecules (proteins, nucleic
acids, lipids) through spectral analysis.

3. Chemical Characterization & Reaction Studies:


Identifies reaction components, conducts kinetic studies, and characterizes
fuel stability in biodiesel/antioxidant mixtures.

4. Failure & Degradation Analysis:


Determines material breakdown, oxidation, or uncured monomers in failure
investigations.

5. Advanced Analytical Techniques:


Enables high-resolution experiments, trace analysis, microsecond-scale
reactions, and chromatographic/thermogravimetric fraction analysis.

Conclusion:

FTIR spectroscopy is a versatile, high-speed analytical tool renowned for its


sensitivity, accuracy, and self-calibration. It excels in material characterization, quality
control, and biomedical diagnostics, while enabling failure analysis, chemical
reaction studies, and functional group identification. Its reliability, rapid results, and
adaptability across industries make it indispensable for modern scientific and
industrial applications.

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