FTIR analysis in laboratory
Your needs: perform FTIR analysis to characterize a sample
What is FTIR analysis?
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy – or FTIR for short – is an analytical technique which is used to obtain an absorption spectrum when analyzing a sample that can be a solid, a liquid or a gas. FTIR is a non-destructive test as it simply measures the amount of light absorbed by a sample depending on the wave length of the infrared light being shone on it.
Why carry out an FTIR analysis in the laboratory?
Carrying out FTIR analysis in the laboratory presents considerable challenges, particularly in terms of the management and quality control of materials.
The technique offers a rapid, non-destructive method for identifying the chemical composition and detecting impurities or contamination in a variety of materials, from plastics and polymers to lubricants and pharmaceuticals.
In the face of stringent regulatory compliance and product quality requirements, FTIR analysis enables manufacturers to ensure that their materials meet the required specifications, avoiding the high costs associated with product recalls or in-service failures.
The technique facilitates product innovation and improvement by providing an in-depth understanding of molecular interactions and material properties.
Our solution : to make our knowledge and skills relating to FTIR spectroscopy available you and to assist you in interpreting your results
The FILAB laboratory specialises in chemical analysis and the characterisation of materials. It also has the expertise and specific analytical equipment to help industrial companies gain a better understanding of their materials.
The laboratory offers its expertise in FTIR analysis for quality control, research and development, and problem-solving related to materials, contributing to both operational efficiency and competitiveness on the market.
FTIR analysis, a state-of-the-art technical tool
FTIR analysis is an advanced technique offering rapid and accurate identification of the chemical components of samples.
The FTIR technique can detect specific chemical bonds and therefore identify substances in complex mixtures, which is relevant for analysing the purity of materials, detecting contamination and understanding molecular interactions.
By comparing the absorption spectrum of a sample with that of a known compound or a reference library, it is possible to identify unknown compounds, even when they are present in very low concentrations. FTIR spectroscopy provides even more detailed information than traditional infrared spectroscopy, enabling researchers to study structure-activity relationships within complex samples.
In addition, the ability to perform quantitative analysis adds an extra dimension to its application, making it possible to determine the concentrations of different components in a sample.
IFTR Spectroscopy is used in conjunction with various analysis techniques, such as ATG, NMR and chromatography, to :
- Determine the nature of a polymer or additive
- Characterize a deposit or pollution
- Study the evolution of a material over time (oxidation, migration, change of state, etc.)
Our FTIR analysis services
Assistance in choosing the right material to control the lifespan of a product
Specific chemical analysis (particular, solvent residue, heavy metals…)
Industrial applications of FTIR
The versatility of the FTIR technique provides an in-depth understanding of materials and helps to ensure the quality and innovation of products in different industries:
In chemistry, this technique plays a crucial role in identifying unknown chemical compounds, controlling the quality of raw materials and finished products, and monitoring chemical reactions to optimise production processes.
In the pharmaceutical sector, FTIR analysis is widely used for the characterization of active drug ingredients, the detection of contaminants and the quality of finished products. It also helps to check the homogeneity of mixtures and to identify potential interactions between the components of a formulation and the container.
In the polymers and plastics industry, FTIR is used to identify polymer types and detect the presence of additives, plasticisers or other components.
Infrared spectroscopy (IR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR or irtf spectroscopy) are two analytical techniques used to identify the structure of a molecule by analysing its infrared radiation spectrum. The difference between these two techniques is that in conventional IR analysis, the absorption bands of the sample are measured directly, whereas in FTIR spectroscopy, an interferometer is used to measure the frequencies at which the sample absorbs energy. This allows FTIR analysis to provide more detailed information about molecular composition and structure than traditional infrared spectroscopy. In addition, FTIR analysis can be used on samples with a lower concentration of molecules than conventional infrared spectroscopy.
The term ‘Fourier transformation’ refers to a mathematical method used to transform the raw signal obtained into an infrared spectrum with peaks corresponding to different absorption frequencies. This makes it possible to identify the chemical components of a sample by comparing the absorption frequencies measured with those of known substances.
The identification of organic functional groups by FTIR analysis provides a precise understanding of the chemical structure of compounds. This technique is based on the fact that each functional group exhibits characteristic vibrations at certain infrared absorption frequencies, providing a unique ‘fingerprint’ for each type of molecule.
Identifying these functional groups makes it possible to determine the chemical nature of substances, predict their physical and chemical properties, and understand their behaviour in reactions.
FTIR analysis can encounter difficulties in terms of sensitivity, such as when analysing minute traces of compounds such as environmental pollutants. In addition, certain materials, such as poorly absorbing gases or reflective metal surfaces, can challenge the accuracy of FTIR.
Furthermore, although FTIR is an excellent technical means of identifying the types of bonds and functional groups present, it does not provide direct information on the complete molecular structure, such as proteins, or for large molecules.
To overcome the limitations of FTIR analysis, various combinations with other techniques offer advanced solutions. Coupling FTIR with chromatography, either in the gas phase (GC-FTIR) for volatile compounds, or in the liquid phase (LC-FTIR) for non-volatile compounds, enables the precise separation and identification of the components of a complex mixture. FTIR microscopy targets localised analysis on a microscopic scale, while coupling with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA-FTIR) reveals the chemical composition and thermal stability of materials. Finally, the combination with mass spectrometry (MS-FTIR) enhances the identification and structural characterisation of complex organic compounds, offering a complete set of tools for more detailed and precise analysis.
Infrared spectroscopy is a powerful tool for determining the exact structure of organic molecules in a wide range of applications. It can be used to identify unknown compounds, quantify mixtures, detect contaminants, determine reaction mechanisms and monitor reactions in real time. Infrared spectroscopy is commonly used in areas such as pharmaceuticals, food science, petrochemicals and environmental testing. By comparing the absorption spectrum of a sample with that of a known compound or reference library, it is possible to identify unknown compounds, even when they are present at very low concentrations. FTIR spectroscopy provides even more detailed information than traditional infrared spectroscopy, enabling researchers to study structure-activity relationships within complex samples.
