Novel applications of hand-held and benchtop FTIR instruments

Significance of FTIR Applications

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy enables rapid, non-destructive analysis across industries. The emergence of portable and benchtop FTIR instruments has expanded its utility for in situ measurements, quality control, and research beyond traditional laboratory settings.

Objectives and Overview

This article reviews novel applications of handheld and benchtop FTIR systems. It highlights advances in ergonomics, sampling interfaces, and data processing that enhance sensitivity and throughput. Case studies illustrate its performance in coatings, polymers, construction materials, environmental monitoring, forensic screening, and geology.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The instrumentation encompasses:

• Agilent 4300 Handheld FTIR – 2 kg portable unit for field use with ATR, specular reflection, and diffuse reflectance sampling.
• Cary 630 Benchtop FTIR – versatile lab spectrometer for solids, liquids, and gases with quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Key sampling modes:

• Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) for surface spectra.
• Diffuse Reflectance enabling non-contact, in situ analysis.
• Specular Reflection for thin films and coatings.

Main Results and Discussion

• Coatings – Handheld FTIR quantified 2K PU paint mix ratios and differentiated 14 white acrylic formulations. Diffuse reflectance provided the richest spectral detail without sample contact.
• Polymer Release Agents – Rapid nondestructive quantification of residual release agent on CFRP parts in under one minute, safeguarding bond strength.
• Concrete Analysis – Monitoring geopolymer cement chemistry and cure progression, distinguishing blend types and correlating thermal changes with mechanical properties.
• Environmental Carbon Isotopes – FTIR measured 13C/12C ratios in carbonates with less than 2% deviation from mass spectrometry standards.
• Forensic Drug Screening – Automated peak-picking algorithms identified cocaine in complex mixtures down to 6 wt%, operable by nonexperts.
• Geological Samples – Point-and-shoot diffuse reflectance spectra allowed in situ mineral identification in silica-based rock.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Rapid, non-destructive workflows suitable for field and laboratory environments.
• Versatility across sample types including solids, liquids, coatings, and geological specimens.
• High sensitivity enabling trace analysis and isotopic studies.
• Ease of use supports deployment by personnel with diverse expertise.
• Advanced data processing and multivariate models improve quantification accuracy.

Future Trends and Potential Uses

Continued miniaturization and integration with cloud-based analytics will drive real-time monitoring in agriculture, cultural heritage conservation, and process control. Coupling FTIR with machine learning could enable automated material classification and predictive maintenance.

Conclusion

Handheld and benchtop FTIR systems broaden the analytical toolkit, offering fast, versatile, and reliable measurements across sectors. Their adaptability to in situ sampling and advanced data analysis positions FTIR as a key technology for modern laboratories and field operations.