FTIR calibration

FTIR (refer to Figure 11) is commonly used for qualitative identification of various functionalities. For quantitative analysis, FTIR requires the use of well characterized standards. NMR spectroscopy is typically used to characterize a set of samples which are then used as standards for the FTIR calibration. 

The quality of a calibration also depends on the quality of the reference samples used. Glucuronic acid is a particular example the enzymatic method for this analysis is not reliable in that it lacks robustness. This problem has not been identified in the literature and is probably linked to non-identified matrix effects. The first FTIR calibrations were carried out using the enzymatic method as a reference and, even though gluconic acid has highly qualitative absorption characteristics, the results obtained by FTIR were unreliable. Subsequent calibrations carried out using more reliable methods such as capillary electrophoresis as a reference technique have resulted in FTIR analyses of high quality in terms of precision and accuracy. 

TGA - coupled - FTIR calibration curves for "low boiling point" components... 

Figure 6.21 summarises the results described above. The deomposition products shown in this figure for a CPC, system B sample, were also measured for the CPC, system A samples, only differences in the measured intensities of released water (quantitatively determined with the aid of a MS calibration curve) and ammonia (quantitatively determined with the aid of a FTIR calibration curve) were found ... 

In routine experiments the applied method provides an accuracy of 2-3 % and can be very easily verified, as described above, by comparing results obtained by conventional thermoanalytical techniques (TG) with results obtained by quantification of spectroscopic signals (MS or FTIR) calibrated by injected pulses of the probe gas. 

A Nicolet 7000 FTIR instrument was used for the infrared studies with 120 scans accumulated for all samples. The materials used for the FTIR study were prepared as follows samples of polymers of low glass transition temperatures which were soluble in THF were prepared by the deposition of a polymer solution onto an NaCl window. For moderately high glass transition temperature polymers soluble in THF, samples were prepared by solution casting onto a glass plate. Thin films of polymer samples insoluble in THF were compression molded at 150 to 200 C (depending on the sample). An FTIR calibration curve was obtained from ethyl acrylate copolymers which had previously been neutralized completely with perchloric acid. This curve was used to determine semiquanti-tively the percent proton transfer in the blends. 

Mancozeb is a dithiocarbamate pesticide with a very low solubility in organic and inorganic solvent. In this work we have developed a solvent free, accurate and fast photoacoustic FTIR-based methodology for Mancozeb determination in commercial fungicides. The proposed procedure was based on the direct measurement of the solid samples in the middle infrared region using a photoacoustic detector. A multivariate calibration approach based on the use of partial least squares (PLS) was employed to determine the pesticide content in commercially available formulations. 

For many applications, quantitative band shape analysis is difficult to apply. Bands may be numerous or may overlap, the optical transmission properties of the film or host matrix may distort features, and features may be indistinct. If one can prepare samples of known properties and collect the FTIR spectra, then it is possible to produce a calibration matrix that can be used to assist in predicting these properties in unknown samples. Statistical, chemometric techniques, such as PLS (partial least-squares) and PCR (principle components of regression), may be applied to this matrix. Chemometric methods permit much larger segments of the spectra to be comprehended in developing an analysis model than is usually the case for simple band shape analyses. 

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyzers can be used for industrial applications and m situ measurements in addition to conventional laboratory use. Industrial instruments are transportable, rugged and relatively simple to calibrate and operate. They are capable of analyzing many gas components and determining their concentrations, practically continuously. FTIR analyzers are based on the spectra characterization of infrared light absorbed by transitions in vibrational and rotational energy levels of heteroatomic molecules. 

SEC-FTIR yields the average polymer structure as a function of molecular mass, but no information on the distribution of the chemical composition within a certain size fraction. SEC-FTIR is mainly used to provide information on MW, MWD, CCD, and functional groups for different applications and different materials, including polyolefins and polyolefin copolymers [703-705]. Quantitative methods have been developed [704]. Torabi et al. [705] have described a procedure for quantitative evaporative FUR detection for the evaluation of polymer composition across the SEC chromatogram, involving a post-SEC treatment, internal calibration and PLS prediction applied to the second derivative of the absorbance spectrum. 

Always based on the use of IR spectrophotometry, a novel attenuated total reflection-Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) sensor [42] was proposed for the on-line monitoring of a dechlorination process. Organohalogenated compounds such as trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CT) were detected with a limit of a few milligrams per litre, after extraction on the ATR internal-reflection element coated with a hydro-phobic polymer. As for all IR techniques, partial least squares (PLS) calibration models are needed. As previously, this system is promising for bioprocess control and optimization. 

The infrared technique has been described in numerous publications and recent reviews were published by Davies and Giangiacomo (2000), Ismail et al. (1997) and Wetzel (1998). Very few applications have been described for analysis of additives in food products. One interesting application is for controlling vitamin concentrations in vitamin premixes used for fortification of food products by attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessory with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) (Wojciechowski et al., 1998). Four vitamins were analysed - Bi (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B6 (vitamin B6 compounds) and Niacin (nicotinic acid) - in about 10 minutes. The partial least squares technique was used for calibration of the equipment. The precision of measurements was in the range 4-8%, similar to those obtained for the four vitamins by the reference HPLC method. 

Standardization The instrument response function can vary from analyzer to analyzer. If calibration transfer is to be achieved across all instrument platforms it is important that the instrument function is characterized, and preferably standardized [31]. Also, at times it is necessary to perform a local calibration while the analyzer is still on-line. In order to handle this, it is beneficial to consider an on-board calibration/standardization, integrated into the sample conditioning system. Most commercial NIR analyzers require some form of standardization and calibration transfer. Similarly, modem FTIR systems include some form of instrument standardization, usually based on an internal calibrant. This attribute is becoming an important feature for regulatory controlled analyses, where a proper audit trail has to be established, including instrument calibration. 

F. Lewiner, J.P. Klein, F. Puel and G. Fevotte, On-hne ATR-FTIR measurement of supersaturation during solution crystallization processes. Calibrations and applications on three solute/solvent systems, Chem. Eng. Sci., 56, 2069-2084 (2001). 

Two final examples of the sensitivity and general applicability of the FTIR gas analysis technique are illustrated in Fig. 8. Trace (A) shows the spectrum obtained from an ultra-air filled 70 liter sampling bag into which had been injected, 18 hours previously, 4.8 microliters of TDI, toluene diisocyanate. On the basis of the single feature at 2273 cm l, it is estimated that 50 ppb TDI could be detected. The lower Trace (B), shows the spectrum of nickel carbonyl. This highly toxic but unstable gas was found to decay rapidly at ppm concentrations in ultra air (50% lifetime 15 minutes). Calibration of its spectrum was established by recording successive spectra at ten minute intervals and by attributing the increase in carbon monoxide concentration (calibration known) to an equivalent but four times slower decrease in nickel carbonyl concentration. The spectrum shown represents 0.6 ppm of the material. Note the extraordinary absorption strength. The detection limit is thus less than 10 ppb. 

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of coal low-temperature ashes was applied to the determination of coal mineralogy and the prediction of ash properties during coal combustion. Analytical methods commonly applied to the mineralogy of coal are critically surveyed. Conventional least-squares analysis of spectra was used to determine coal mineralogy on the basis of forty-two reference mineral spectra. The method described showed several limitations. However, partial least-squares and principal component regression calibrations with the FTIR data permitted prediction of all eight ASTM ash fusion temperatures to within 50 to 78 F and four major elemental oxide concentrations to within 0.74 to 1.79 wt % of the ASTM ash (standard errors of prediction). Factor analysis based methods offer considerable potential in mineral-ogical and ash property applications. 

Experience in this laboratory has shown that even with careful attention to detail, determination of coal mineralogy by classical least-squares analysis of FTIR data may have several limitations. Factor analysis and related techniques have the potential to remove or lessen some of these limitations. Calibration models based on partial least-squares or principal component regression may allow prediction of useful properties or empirical behavior directly from FTIR spectra of low-temperature ashes. Wider application of these techniques to coal mineralogical studies is recommended. 

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