Making IR pellets, specifically for Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, involves creating a thin, transparent pellet using an IR-transparent medium, typically potassium bromide (KBr), with a small amount of the sample to be analyzed.
The typical ratio of KBr to sample is 100:1, ensuring that the pellet is mostly composed of KBr.
The pellet's diameter should be between 3 mm to 13 mm, depending on the specific FTIR equipment used.
5 Steps to Perfect IR Pellets for FTIR Analysis
1. Preparation of Materials
Obtain high-purity KBr and the sample to be analyzed.
The KBr should be free from impurities to avoid interference in the FTIR analysis.
The sample should be finely ground to ensure even distribution within the KBr matrix.
2. Mixing
Mix the KBr and sample in a 100:1 ratio.
This means for every 100 parts of KBr, use 1 part of the sample.
This ensures that the sample does not overpower the pellet and that the IR light can pass through the pellet effectively.
3. Pellet Formation
The mixture is then placed in a pellet press die set.
These sets are specifically designed for making IR pellets and are transparent to IR radiation.
The die set is typically cylindrical, with a diameter ranging from 3 mm to 13 mm, depending on the requirements of the FTIR instrument.
The mixture is subjected to high pressure in the pellet press, which causes the KBr to become plastic and form a transparent sheet encapsulating the sample.
4. Pressing
Apply sufficient pressure to the die set to form a solid, transparent pellet.
The exact pressure and duration will depend on the specific equipment and the materials used.
Ensure that the pellet is thin enough to be transparent in the infrared region, typically requiring a thickness of a few hundred micrometers.
5. Storing and Handling
Once formed, the pellet should be carefully removed from the die set and stored in a dry environment to prevent moisture absorption, which can affect the transparency and stability of the pellet.
Applications and Considerations
KBr Pellets are commonly used in infrared spectroscopy applications due to KBr's transparency in the IR region.
Alternative Materials: Cesium iodide (CsI) can be used instead of KBr for measuring the infrared spectrum in the low-wavenumber region (400 to 250 cm-1).
Pellet Press Die Sets are crucial for the precise formation of pellets and can be customized based on the specific needs of the FTIR analysis.
This method is specific to FTIR analysis and differs from general pellet making, focusing on creating a transparent medium that allows for accurate spectroscopic analysis.
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