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FTIR Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry is a sensitive technique particularly for identifying organic chemicals in a whole range of situations including solid, liquid and gas samples. FTIR can also be used to characterise some inorganic compounds. It may be used to identify both pure compounds and simple mixtures.

LPD Lab Services instruments also feature an ATR imaging system that enables the collection of high resolution infrared images of extremely small samples to examine the composition of individual particles and materials based on FTIR spectral data.  Examples include paints, adhesives, resins, polymers, rubbers, coatings, pharmaceuticals and additives used in food and other consumer goods. It is a particularly useful tool in isolating and characterising organic contamination.

Typical Applications of FTIR and FTIR Microscopy

• Routine qualitative and quantitative FTIR analysis.
• Low volume Quality Control and Pharmacopeia testing.
• Identification of polymers and polymer blends.
• Assessment ofchanges of polymers and rubbers due to both ageing and environment like oxidation and hydrolysis.
• Indirect identification of trace organic contaminants on surfaces.
• Thin film analysis of organic coatings and oxide thicknesses on metals such as aluminium.
• Analysis of adhesives, coatings and adhesion promoters or coupling agents.
• Small visible and Microscopic particle chemical analysis by FTIR microscopy.
• Analysis of stains and surface blemishes remnant from cleaning and degreasing processes combined with optical microscopy, SEM/EDX, XPS, SIMS and FTIR microscopy techniques.
• Analysis of resins, composite materials and release films.
• Solvent extractions of leachables or contaminants, plasticisers, mould release agents and weak boundary layers coupled with XPS surface chemical analysis techniques.
• FTIR identification of rubbers and filled rubbers coupled with pyrolysis GCMS.
• Determination of degrees of crystallinity in polymers like LDPE and HDPE.
• Comparative chain lengths in organics.
• Extent of thermal, UV or other degradation or depolymerisation of polymers and paint coatings.
• Analysis of a gaseous samples using a gas cell for headspace analysis or environmental monitoring.
• FTIR analysis of unknown solvents, cleaning agents and detergents combined with GCMS.
• Temperature dependent study of materials using the heated stage accessory.
• Small visible and microscopic particle chemical analysis by FTIR microscopy.
• Contaminants in pharmaceutical API’s, WFI water for injection and blood products.
• Identifying specific fibres and particles in inhalable dust by FTIR microscopy and SEM/EDX.
• FTIR microscopy of microplastics in freshwater, sea water, soil and wastewater with pyrolysis GCMS.
• Checks for localised antiseptic chemical products and wipes attack of rubbers and plastics in hospitals and the medical device industry.
• Cross-sectional analysis and imaging of different primer, top coat and clearcoat paint layers looking for missing layers, interface contaminants combined with SEM/EDX of filler materials.
• FTIR analysis and reverse engineering of unknown compounds and formulations particularly when combined with GCMS.
• Evaluation of chemical reaction pathways, rates of reaction and assessment of reaction completion.
• Analysis and characterisation of antimicrobial coatings and polymers by FTIR, pyrolysis GC-MS and XPS.

		FTIR Microscopy and High Magnification ATR-FTIR Details of the capabilities and typical applications of the FTIR microscope, its ATR crystals designed to chemically image and analyse down to 1.5micron sample features for solids and liquids as well as conduct NIR analysis at LPD Lab Services.

		FTIR Microscope, FTIR and NIR Spectrophotometer Instrument Details of the state of the art FTIR Microscope instrument, ATR-FTIR and NIR Spectrophotometer at LPD Lab Services for small and large sample analysis.

		FTIR Spectrophotometer Instrument Jasco 4100 FTIR spectrophotometer instrument Capable of analysing organic and polymer solids, liquids and gases with small samples analysed by diamond or germanium HATR crystal anvils.

		Near Infra Red NIR Analysis NIR is used for a range of organic materials characterisation including to generation of information about functional groups such as hydroxyl, ethyl or amide in a molecule for plastics, raw materials and pharmaceuticals.

		Principles of FTIR and NIR Spectrophotometry and Preparation Capabilities of the FTIR technique, its principles based on chemical bond natural frequency of vibration. Details of sample preparation procedures used at LPD Lab Services to prepare solid, liquid and gas samples even when samples available are very small.

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Contaminant Particle Identification and Elimination
Determination of Surface Tension and Wettability of Liquid on Solid Surfaces

Our site experts on FTIR are Aeryn May, Kim Nickson and Mike Ellicott.

Please contact us to discuss how your requirements can be met using this or any of our analytical techniques.