FTIR and RAMAN Spectroscopy FELMI-ZFE

Infrared & Raman
Microspectrometry

General Introduction

The coupling of optical microscopy to vibrational spectroscopy (Infrared and Raman) enables the chemical characterisation of samples or domains as small as 10 µm (IR) or 1 µm (Raman). These techniques are applied to analyse polymers (identification, inhomogeneities, impurities, stress and density), rubbers, papers, organic and inorganic materials. Results are obtained by spectral interpretation (band allocation to functional groups, comparison with reference spectra) or imaging (2D mapping of functional groups).

The principle of Raman Spectroscopy

Typical Applications for Raman and IR Spectroscopy

Differences and complementary power of Infrared and Raman Microscopy

Posters (*.pdf files):
Crystallinity and orientation of highly oriented PP fibres studied by Raman spectroscopy (167kB)
Morphology of a PA/PTFE blend studied by Raman imaging (223kB)

Folders (*.pdf files):
FT-IR & Raman Microscopy (365kB)
Imaging of Polymer Blends (706kB)
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download now German / English version of the reader.

FTIR Microscope(s)

Raman Microscope

Useful Raman Links

17^th European Symposium on Polymer Spectroscopy
from September 9^th to12^th, 2007 in Seggauberg, Austria
Local Organizer: Dr. Peter Wilhelm (FELMI TU Graz)

Typical Applications of
Raman and IR Spectroscopy

Polymers

identification, laminates, blends, interfaces, crystallinity, additive distribution, fillers

Material checks: anorganic and organic contaminations, stress (link under construction)
Corrosions products: identification of different oxides
Carbon

diamond - CVD and natural
amorphous carbon
carbon fibres

Adsorbates on catalysts and electrode surfaces
Forensic

detection & identification of drugs, explosives, fabrics etc.

Mineralogy and Gemmology

characterisation
inclusions
purity

Art

identification of materials and paintings, (restauration!)

Semiconductors (link under construction), superconductors, ceramics, medicine, biology, ...

Differences and complementary power of
Infrared and Raman Microscopy

	Infrared	Raman
Physical effect	Absorption Changing of the dipol moment (strong: ionic bondings like O-H, N-H)	Scattering Changing of the polarisability (strong: covalent bondings like C=C, C-S, S-S)
Sample preparation	Optimal thickness (transmission mode) or sample contact (ATR) mode necessary	No contact, no destruction, simple preparation (if only); water as solvent or glass as container do not disturb the measurement
Problems	Strong absorption of glass, water, CO₂	Fluorescence
Materials	Mainly organic compounds	Nearly unlimited
Resolution: - lateral - confocal	10 - 20 µm not possible	1 - 2 µm ca. 2.5 µm
Chemical imaging	(Mapping)	Mapping and global imaging
Frequency range	4000 - 700 cm^-1	4000 - 50 cm^-1 (Stokes and Antistokes)

Bruker Microscope

FTIR Microscope

Raman Microscope [ Useful Raman Links ]

Research Activities [ email contact ]

FELMI-ZFE, Graz University of Technology, Austria
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Updated on July 16th, 2009 by G. Windisch
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