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Home / Applications / Quantitative Analysis of Powdered Solids with FTIR-ATR

  • Industry

  • Technique

Quantitative Analysis of Powdered Solids with FTIR-ATR

By Carlos Morillo

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August 11, 2022

Introduction

Infrared quantitative analysis is an everyday requirement for the analytical laboratory. While liquid solutions are a common sample, mixtures of powdered components also exist and it is often desirable to obtain a quantitative result without dissolution into a solvent. This paper outlines the development of quantitative analysis methods for two powdered mixtures.

Figure 1. Transmission and ATR of Caffine.

The traditional infrared analysis method for powdered samples is the collection of a KBr pellet spectrum of an aliquot of the powdered sample. However, preparation of KBr pellets requires some skill, especially for quantitative analyses. Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) accessories like a single-reflection micro-ATR provide a simple and effective alternative, suitable for the infrared analysis of powders.

Figure 2. Fingerprint regions of the micro-ATR spectra ofbcaffeine and starch.
Figure 3. Fingerprint regions of the micro-ATR spectra of Ibuprofen and starch.

The powdered sample is simply placed onto the ATR crystal and the sample spectrum is collected. Pressure up to 75 psi is evenly applied to the sample lying on the diamond microATR crystal during sample analysis. The sample is then cleaned from the crystal surface and the accessory is ready to collect additional spectra. ATR analysis is less complicated than using KBr pellets, is fast and a very small amount of the sample is needed.

Figure 4. Repeatability of three runs of a 25% concentration of ibuprofen in starch.

To develop the quantitative analysis method, a number of standard powder ‘solutions’ of known concentration are prepared and spectra are collected from aliquots of the standards. Specified absorption bands are identified and the peak heights or areas calculated for the various standards. The resulting quantitative data is examined by least squares analysis based on Beer’s Law, A = abc. Where, A = the absorbance; a = the molar absorptivity of the analyte (a constant) ; b = the pathlength, and c = analyte concentration. ATR spectra cannot be used with a quantitative method developed using transmission spectra due to differences in the relative peak intensity of the absorption bands – a result of the internal reflection mechanism of ATR accessories. As an example, Figure 1 is a plot of the transmission and ATR spectra of caffeine. A least squares relationship can be drawn for ATR spectra of quantitative samples, however, similar to that for transmission data from KBr pellets.

Figure 5.Least squares plot of the ATR data

Results

FT-IR Spectrometers
Jasco FT-IR Spectrometers

Micro-ATR spectra were collected using a Jasco 460-FTIR and a micro-ATR accessory equipped with ZnSe lenses and a single-reflection diamond ATR element. Sample aliquots of 5-10 milligrams were placed onto the ATR crystal and spectra were collected without additional sample preparation.

Figure 6. Least squares plot of the KBr pellet dat

Aliquots drawn from the standard powders were mixed with KBr, and with a hand press, used to produce KBr pellets and provide transmission spectra for correlation with the microATR data. FT-IR spectra of 64 scans at 4 cm-1 resolution were coadded and averaged to obtain the single-beam background and sample micro-ATR spectra. 32 scans at 4cm-1 resolution were used to collect the single-beam background and KBr pellet transmission spectra. Figures 2 and 3 compare the fingerprint regions of the micro-ATR spectra of the components used in the study; caffeine and starch in the first mixture, Ibuprofen, and starch in the second. The analyte bands selected for the analysis of each component are labeled.

Three aliquots were analyzed for each powder standard using the micro-ATR and KBr pellet methods. Two analyte bands were selected for each component in each mixture and peak ratios were calculated based on the ratio of the peak heights of the active ingredient vs. the starch. An example of the repeatability of the micro-ATR measurement is demonstrated in Figure 4, containing three spectra of a 25% concentration of ibuprofen in starch.

Figure 5 is a least squares plot of the ATR data, following the 743 and 995 cm-1 bands for caffeine and starch, respectively. Figure 6 is the least squares plot of the KBr pellet data using the same analyte bands. Table 1 contains the R and R 2 values for the least squares analysis of the data from the two mixtures using the different analyte bands for each component. These results demonstrate that the micro-ATR method can provide repeatable quantitative results that are comparable to KBr pellet data.

Caffeine/Starch MixtureRR2
ATR - 743/995 cm-10.97380.9484
ATR - 1546/1148 cm-10.95890.9196
KBr - 743/995 cm-10.97640.9533
KBr - 1546/1148 cm-10.96160.9246
Ibuprofen/Starch MixtureRR2
ATR - 1230/995 cm-10.94740.8976
ATR - 779/1148 cm-10.95350.9091
KBr - 1230/995 cm-10.97310.9469
KBr - 779/1148 cm-10.97410.9489

Conclusion

A single reflection micro-ATR is an easy-to-use accessory for the analysis of powdered mixtures. The ATR technique is simple, rapid and very reliable for sample quantitation. The analysis method is non-destructive and can be used to collect data from a minimal amount of sample, providing quantitative results similar to KBr pellet spectra.

This document has been prepared based on information available at the time of publication and is subject to revision without notice. Although the contents are checked with the utmost care, we do not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. JASCO Corporation assumes no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage incurred as a result of the use of any information contained in this document. Copyright and other intellectual property rights in this document remain the property of JASCO Corporation. Please do not attempt to copy, modify, redistribute, or sell etc. in whole or in part without prior written permission.

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About the Author

Dr. Carlos Morillo received his Post Doc at Advanced Industrial Science & Technology in Fukuoka and was a Research Scientist at Kyushu University in Japan where he lived for several years. Carlos received his Doctor of Engineering from Kyushu University and his Masters and BS from Simon Bolivar University in Caracas Venezuela. He is an Applications Scientist at JASCO.

JASCO Application Note

Quantitative Analysis of Powdered Solids with FTIR-ATR

Introduction

Infrared quantitative analysis is an everyday requirement for the analytical laboratory. While liquid solutions are a common sample, mixtures of powdered components also exist and it is often desirable to obtain a quantitative result without dissolution into a solvent. This paper outlines the development of quantitative analysis methods for two powdered mixtures.

Figure 1. Transmission and ATR of Caffine.

The traditional infrared analysis method for powdered samples is the collection of a KBr pellet spectrum of an aliquot of the powdered sample. However, preparation of KBr pellets requires some skill, especially for quantitative analyses. Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) accessories like a single-reflection micro-ATR provide a simple and effective alternative, suitable for the infrared analysis of powders.

Figure 2. Fingerprint regions of the micro-ATR spectra ofbcaffeine and starch.
Figure 3. Fingerprint regions of the micro-ATR spectra of Ibuprofen and starch.

The powdered sample is simply placed onto the ATR crystal and the sample spectrum is collected. Pressure up to 75 psi is evenly applied to the sample lying on the diamond microATR crystal during sample analysis. The sample is then cleaned from the crystal surface and the accessory is ready to collect additional spectra. ATR analysis is less complicated than using KBr pellets, is fast and a very small amount of the sample is needed.

Figure 4. Repeatability of three runs of a 25% concentration of ibuprofen in starch.

To develop the quantitative analysis method, a number of standard powder ‘solutions’ of known concentration are prepared and spectra are collected from aliquots of the standards. Specified absorption bands are identified and the peak heights or areas calculated for the various standards. The resulting quantitative data is examined by least squares analysis based on Beer’s Law, A = abc. Where, A = the absorbance; a = the molar absorptivity of the analyte (a constant) ; b = the pathlength, and c = analyte concentration. ATR spectra cannot be used with a quantitative method developed using transmission spectra due to differences in the relative peak intensity of the absorption bands – a result of the internal reflection mechanism of ATR accessories. As an example, Figure 1 is a plot of the transmission and ATR spectra of caffeine. A least squares relationship can be drawn for ATR spectra of quantitative samples, however, similar to that for transmission data from KBr pellets.

Figure 5.Least squares plot of the ATR data

Results

FT-IR Spectrometers
Jasco FT-IR Spectrometers

Micro-ATR spectra were collected using a Jasco 460-FTIR and a micro-ATR accessory equipped with ZnSe lenses and a single-reflection diamond ATR element. Sample aliquots of 5-10 milligrams were placed onto the ATR crystal and spectra were collected without additional sample preparation.

Figure 6. Least squares plot of the KBr pellet dat

Aliquots drawn from the standard powders were mixed with KBr, and with a hand press, used to produce KBr pellets and provide transmission spectra for correlation with the microATR data. FT-IR spectra of 64 scans at 4 cm-1 resolution were coadded and averaged to obtain the single-beam background and sample micro-ATR spectra. 32 scans at 4cm-1 resolution were used to collect the single-beam background and KBr pellet transmission spectra. Figures 2 and 3 compare the fingerprint regions of the micro-ATR spectra of the components used in the study; caffeine and starch in the first mixture, Ibuprofen, and starch in the second. The analyte bands selected for the analysis of each component are labeled.

Three aliquots were analyzed for each powder standard using the micro-ATR and KBr pellet methods. Two analyte bands were selected for each component in each mixture and peak ratios were calculated based on the ratio of the peak heights of the active ingredient vs. the starch. An example of the repeatability of the micro-ATR measurement is demonstrated in Figure 4, containing three spectra of a 25% concentration of ibuprofen in starch.

Figure 5 is a least squares plot of the ATR data, following the 743 and 995 cm-1 bands for caffeine and starch, respectively. Figure 6 is the least squares plot of the KBr pellet data using the same analyte bands. Table 1 contains the R and R 2 values for the least squares analysis of the data from the two mixtures using the different analyte bands for each component. These results demonstrate that the micro-ATR method can provide repeatable quantitative results that are comparable to KBr pellet data.

Caffeine/Starch MixtureRR2
ATR - 743/995 cm-10.97380.9484
ATR - 1546/1148 cm-10.95890.9196
KBr - 743/995 cm-10.97640.9533
KBr - 1546/1148 cm-10.96160.9246
Ibuprofen/Starch MixtureRR2
ATR - 1230/995 cm-10.94740.8976
ATR - 779/1148 cm-10.95350.9091
KBr - 1230/995 cm-10.97310.9469
KBr - 779/1148 cm-10.97410.9489

Conclusion

A single reflection micro-ATR is an easy-to-use accessory for the analysis of powdered mixtures. The ATR technique is simple, rapid and very reliable for sample quantitation. The analysis method is non-destructive and can be used to collect data from a minimal amount of sample, providing quantitative results similar to KBr pellet spectra.

This document has been prepared based on information available at the time of publication and is subject to revision without notice. Although the contents are checked with the utmost care, we do not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. JASCO Corporation assumes no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage incurred as a result of the use of any information contained in this document. Copyright and other intellectual property rights in this document remain the property of JASCO Corporation. Please do not attempt to copy, modify, redistribute, or sell etc. in whole or in part without prior written permission.
28600 Mary’s Court, Easton, MD 21601 USA • (800) 333-5272 • Fax: (410) 822-7526 • jascoinc.com/applications

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