FTIR
FTIR is a core tool for identifying and verifying raw materials, active ingredients, excipients, polymers, and unknown samples in QC and research labs. It records a sample's infrared absorbance spectrum, and band position/shape provide information about functional groups and chemical structure.
Subcategories
Benchtop
The Thermo Scientific Nicolet Summit family (including Summit LITE, X, OA) is a current option for QA/QC and teaching/multi-user labs, running OMNIC Paradigm software (Summit X/LITE resolution ~0.6 cm⁻¹, Summit PRO ~0.45 cm⁻¹). The Nicolet iS20 is the higher-performance option for more advanced R&D/QC workflows.
Portable
The Agilent 4300 Handheld FTIR is a current portable device weighing 2.2 kg, with a spectral range of 5200–650 cm⁻¹, 4–16 cm⁻¹ resolution, and a hot-swappable battery (about 4 hours). It suits incoming-material inspection and manufacturing-floor material identification, but does not replace laboratory compendial testing.
Microscopy
The Thermo Scientific Nicolet RaptIR+ FTIR Microscope is a current FTIR microscope for identifying trace materials, contaminants, and microparticles, and for examining material distribution; it supports high-resolution visual imaging and point/line/area analysis in the OMNIC Paradigm environment.
Applications
- Raw-material and API identity verification
- Polymer and packaging-material identification
- Incoming-material screening
- Contaminant/foreign-particle identification
- Micro-area analysis with FTIR microscopy