F T I R    I n s t r u m e n t s

There are four FTIR instruments used to obtain infrared spectra. At the left is the Perkin-Elmer 1720X which is used for routine identification of compounds. The instrument is located in building 65 room 230. Complete Instructions are given. See a brief Infrared tutorial.   A Perkin-Elmer Spectrum One is located in the BRIN laboratory, building 95 room W186 and is used for research. Fogged or scratched cells plates can be polished with flat plates and compounds located in room 230.

Liquid samples are suspended on disposable cardboard Screen Cells supplied by Thermo Spectra-Tech or Janos Technology or solid samples are made into potassium bromide disks. See procedures for using the Screen Cells for liquids or solids.

Several sites show typical frequencies for functional groups, e.g. first link (UCLA), second link for inorganic salts (Worcester Polytechnic Institute), or for a pictorial presentation third link (U Potsdam) and others.

Quality printed graphs of FTIR spectra are made by transfer of Perkin-Elmer FTIR data to a 3 1/2" floppy disk and importing the spectra into ACD software. A similar procedure is used for UV/VIS spectra.

The fourth instrument is a high resolution instrument, located in the Physics building . The Bio-Rad FTS-40 is a single beam helium/neon laser infrared spectrometer. It has a globar source which is cooled by an external chiller located on the floor beneath to the bench. This spectrometer requires a constant supply of dry air to keep the KBr optics in proper working order and to pulse the interferometer. Without this dry air supply, the instrument will not function and the optics may become damaged. Specific operating instructions are given.

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