Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) is a popular tool for determining unknown identification and functional group presence in chemical systems. Impact Analytical has a Thermo-Nicolet Nexus series bench driven by the Nicolet Omnic software, as well as a Nicolet NicPlan IR microscope. The system includes library searching capability and many operator help functions to simplify use of the instrument.

Sampling formats include: KBr pellet, mull cells, and liquid cells, all of which can be run at variable controlled temperature. Diamond ATR accessory is also available.

Examples

• Because IR absorption is dependent upon a dipole moment change during each molecular vibration and/or molecular rotation, functional group analysis as well as molecular characterization and identification is possible. Researchers involved in synthesis use the instrument frequently to determine if desired functional groups are present in compounds they have synthesized.
• The system includes a polymers and additives library. A customer desiring identification of a polymer used to mold a finished product submitted a sample for unknown identification. A small amount of the polymer was excised from the article and dissolved in a solvent. A thin film of the polymer was cast and its infrared spectrum was measured. By searching the library, a match was found for the spectrum thereby identifying the material.