Infrared Spectroscopy

Infrared spectroscopy is one of the most widely used analytical tools for the qualitative and quantitative identification of the composition of solid, liquid, and gaseous samples.
This technique studies the interaction of infrared light with matter: infrared light can change the vibrational modes of molecules, providing information about functional groups and chemical bonds. There are four main sampling techniques in FTIR: transmission, attenuated total reflection (ATR), specular reflection, and diffuse reflectance. Most infrared spectroscopy instruments are based on the Michelson interferometer and are called Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) due to of the mathematical function used to obtain the spectrum.
Micro FTIRs are a type of instrument equipped with an IR microscope. This configuration allows small (less than a millimetre) or highly inhomogeneous samples to be analysed with a spatial resolution of a few microns, and also to perform chemical mapping, i.e., associating the chemical information provided by the IR spectrum with the spatial distribution of components as shown by the microscope image.
Infrared spectroscopy is a very versatile technique because it can be applied to both organic and inorganic samples, in various forms (solids, liquids, gases), and in different quantities (bulk, films, drops, millilitres, powders, etc.). Furthermore, the ATR mode allows samples to be analysed directly without any preparation, making it a non-invasive and non-destructive analytical technique. This makes it applicable, for example, in the field of cultural heritage (e.g., painting cross-sections), as well as for in situ and continuous process or reaction monitoring

Our instruments

The network includes a variety of FTIR instruments, enabling us to cover a wide range of the infrared spectrum (MIR and FIR) and to analyse small or inhomogeneous samples using microscopes integrated with the spectrometers.

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Micro FTIR-ATR Nicolet iN10 Thermo Fisher

The Nicolet iN10 Micro FTIR-ATR is an FTIR spectrometer coupled with a microscope. The system makes it possible to achieve high spatial resolution and to analyse even small sample sizes (~30 microns). Opaque or thick samples can be analysed in micro-ATR (Attenuated Total Reflection) mode.
Technical specifications:
● range: 400 ÷ 4000 cm-1;
● detection set-up: double detector, DTGS and MCT (liquid nitrogen cooled);
● independent LED lighting for transmission and reflection configuration.
Available configurations:
● fully attenuated reflection measurements (ATR) with a germanium tip (350 µm diameter).
Applications:
● study of vibrational spectra of oxides;
● identification of polymeric materials.

FTIR 670-IR Varian con microscopio IR 610-IR Varian

The 670-IR spectrometer is a high-performance FTIR spectrophotometer coupled with the Varian 610-IR microscope for microspectroscopy measurements. It is possible to analyse samples both in solution and in solid form (lyophils, film hydrates), either in transmission or in attenuated total reflection (ATR). Furthermore, FTIR microspectroscopy enables the analysis of intact cells and model organisms such as, for instance, C. elegans.
Technical specifications:
● dynamic alignment;
● high-sensitivity detector (MCT), liquid nitrogen cooled.
Available configurations:
● attenuated total reflection (ATR) measurements with single and nine-reflection diamond crystals with temperature control;
● FTIR microscopy measurements;
● transmission measurements of samples in solution under temperature control.
Applications:
● study of the structural properties of biomolecules;
● determination of protein secondary structure;
● study of protein aggregation, through the identification and monitoring of IR bands specific to this process;
● analysis of protein conformational stability;
● comparison with RLD (reference listed drug);
● materials characterisation;
● characterisation of intact cells, tissues and biofluids (study examples concern in situ aggregation and the search for biomarkers) with multivariate analysis of spectral data.

FTIR-6200 Jasco

The FTIR 6200 spectrophotometer is an instrument that covers a wide spectral range (mid- and far -IR) and, thanks to the equipment of a cryostat, enables low-temperature analysis.
Technical specifications:
● spectral range: 50 cm-1 ÷ 4000 cm-1;
● resolution: down to 0.25 cm-1;
● photometric limit: 5 absorbances;
● sample compartment: controlled atmosphere ( N2 or Ar flow) or vacuum (down to ~10-2 mbar).
Available configurations:
● transmittance and specular reflectance measurements at room temperature;
● transmittance measurements at variable temperature (12 K ÷ 300 K) over a limited spectral range (300-4000 cm-1).
Applications:
● optical characterisation of materials for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications, as well as defect identification.

 

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If you believe these techniques could be useful for characterizing, updating, or designing your materials, please feel free to contact us.