FT-IR Spectroscopic Imaging of Inorganic Materials

The plant availability of phosphates depends on their chemical form, hence analytical techniques to quickly determine the mineral phases are necessary. Hydrated forms (e.g., Ca(H2P04)2-H20 and CaHPO -2H20) normally show better plant availability than non-hydrated phosphates (e.g., Ca5(P04)30H). Previously, single beam mid- and far-infrared spectroscopy was successfully applied for the analysis of P-phases in SSA-based fertilizer [88]. Using spectroscopic imaging methods with a lateral resolution down to the diffraction limit of 5-10 pm for synchrotron radiation infrared microspectroscopy, almost pure mineral phases are detectable. 

the identification of the chemical form of P-bearing mineral phases is much easier than with a single-beam spectrometer. 

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