Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy of Surfaces

Abstract

Infrared spectroscopy has been a widely used technique in industry for the structural and compositional analysis of organic, inorganic and polymeric samples and for quality control of raw materials and commercial products. With the advent of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) the range of applications and the materials amenable to study has increased enormously, owing to its increased sensitivity, speed, wavenumber accuracy and stability. Oils, coal, shale, polymers, paints, catalysts, pharmaceuticals and industrial gases have been successfully analyzed [8.1]. More recently FTIR has been developed for the quality control of minerals and in exploration [8.2]. Cellulosic materials, wood, paper and cotton have also proved amenable [8.3]. It is also now possible to study electrode processes using FTIR [8.4, 5]. Biochemical processes once excluded from the field of infrared spectroscopy owing to the presence of water now form one of the fastest growing areas of research in FTIR. Specific examples are discussed in the text.