FTIR spectroscopy – Advanced material and microplastic analyses

Purpose

Spectroscopic material analysis

FTIR spectral fingerprints of many organic compounds are unique, which is why FTIR spectroscopy is widely used for qualitative compound identification.

At RISE, we analyse a broad range of natural and synthetic polymeric and composite materials, including fibres, pulps, papers, barriers, coatings, and packaging. Bulk, surface, and layered structures can be examined separately. Our extensive reference database of material spectra serves as a valuable tool for accurate identification.

Using our µ-FTIR imaging spectroscopy system, we can analyse structures as small as 5 µm (transmission) and 1.25 µm (ATR).

We offer analysis of:

• Chemical composition
• Relative content
• Product defects
• Identification of impurities
• Homogeneity and distribution of components

Microplasic analysis

By definition, microplastics are insoluble plastic particles measuring between 1 µm and 1 mm, including subdivisions into narrower fractions, while “large microplastics” refer to particles sized between 1 mm and 5 mm.

Microplastic pollution poses risks to health and the environment. At RISE, we provide comprehensive analysis using µ-FTIR imaging spectroscopy, delivering statistical reports on particle count, identity, and size distribution. All procedures follow ISO 24187 (September 2023).

We analyse microplastics in samples such as:

• Water* (e.g., drinking water, sea water, river water, lake water, ice, snow, rain, pulp and paper process water)
• Recycled pulps, recycled papers, coated papers, printed paper, paper packaging
• Textiles   (i.e., microplastics from textile sources)

*non-toxic water, non-bio-hazardous water, non-radioactive water

FTIR spectroscopy – Advanced material analysis: Technical specifications

Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) Spectroscopy (Bruker)

Macro-ATR FTIR Spectroscopy (ALPHA II)

Chemical composition of material surfaces can be analysed.

Measuring mode: ATR (i.e. Attenuated Total Reflection)

• Detector: Deuterated Lanthanide Triglycine Sulphate (DLaTGS) single-element
• Spectral resolution: better than 2 cm⁻¹ (0.8 cm⁻¹)
• Spectral range: 8000/4000 cm⁻¹ – 600/350 cm⁻¹
• Crystal: Single reflection Diamond
• Penetration depth: 1.8 µm – 2.2 µm
• Sample thickness: up to 20 mm
• Measuring area: up to 500 µm × 500 µm

Single-point Micro-FTIR Spectroscopy and Imaging Micro-FTIR Spectroscopy (LUMOS II)

This equipment provides chemical imaging and mapping solutions that can detect product defects, impurities, and inhomogeneities, and reveal the chemical composition of various materials, multi-layer structures, laminates, and/or composites, sample bulk and surfaces as well.

Measuring mode: Transmission/Reflection/ATR

Detector 1: 
Thermo-electrically cooled Mercury Cadmium Telluride (TE-MCT) single-element

• Aperture: 5 µm – open
• Spectral resolution: better than 2 cm⁻¹ (0.8 cm⁻¹)
• Spectral range: 6000/4000 cm⁻¹ – 670 cm⁻¹

Detector 2: 
Liquid nitrogen (N₂) cooled Focal Plane Array (FPA) MCT, 32 × 32-pixel detector element (cf. 1024 detector elements) for imaging and mapping

• Pixel resolution: 5 µm and 1.25 µm (ATR)
• Spectral range: 5000/4000 cm⁻¹ – 750 cm⁻¹

Crystal 1: 
Integrated micro-Germanium (Ge) single reflection ATR crystal

• Contact area: Ø 100 µm
• Penetration depth: 0.8 µm – 1.2 µm

Crystal 2: 
Macro-Germanium (Ge) single reflection ATR crystal for sticky and brittle samples

• Contact area: Ø 1000 µm
• Measuring area: 600 µm × 600 µm
• Penetration depth: 0.8 µm – 1.2 µm

Sample thickness: up to 40 mm

Measuring area: up to 1.5 mm × 1.2 mm

FTIR spectroscopy (Varian)

FTIR Spectroscopy

This standard mode is used for qualitative analysis of different materials.

Measuring mode: Transmission

• Detector 1: Deuterated Triglycine Sulphate (DTGS) single-element
• Detector 2: Liquid nitrogen (N₂) cooled Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT)
• Spectral resolution: 4 cm⁻¹ (0.1 cm⁻¹ – 32 cm⁻¹)
• Spectral range: 4000 cm⁻¹ – 400/700 cm⁻¹
• Sample thickness: approx. 20 µm – 40 µm
• Measuring area: Ø 12 mm

Macro-ATR FTIR Spectroscopy

This mode is used for fast characterisation of various materials with minimal preparation.

Measuring mode: ATR (Attenuated Total Reflection)

• Detector: DTGS single-element
• Crystal: Single-reflection diamond with ZnSe (Zinc Selenide)
• Contact area: Ø 2 mm
• Penetration depth: 2 µm
• Spectral resolution: 4 cm⁻¹ (0.1 cm⁻¹ – 32 cm⁻¹)
• Spectral range: 4000 cm⁻¹ – 650 cm⁻¹
• Sample thickness: up to 1 cm

Deliveries

Measurement data and report with analysis results.