Potassium bromide (KBr) can affect humans in several ways. Exposure to this compound can lead to symptoms such as central nervous system depression, skin eruptions, vomiting, irritability, ataxia (loss of muscle control), mental confusion, and coma. It may also cause drowsiness, mania, hallucinations, and skin rashes. These symptoms can occur when individuals are exposed to potassium bromide through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact.
In addition to its potential effects on humans, potassium bromide is commonly used in scientific research to prepare samples for infrared spectroscopy. In this process, a small amount of the powdered sample is mixed with potassium bromide powder in a ratio of 1 part sample to 100 parts KBr. The mixture is then compressed into a solid pellet using a hydraulic press. This pellet is mostly transparent to infrared light but contains a dilute quantity of the sample, allowing for the study of its molecular structure using an FTIR instrument.
It is important to note that the concentration of the sample in potassium bromide should be in the range of 0.2 to 1 percent. Too high a concentration can lead to difficulties in obtaining clear pellets and noisy spectra. Excessive grinding of potassium bromide is not required, as finely powdered KBr can absorb more humidity from the air and result in increased background interference. It is recommended to work quickly and avoid adding too much sample, which can lead to over saturation.
To prepare the sample and potassium bromide mixture, a small amount of KBr is transferred to a mortar. Approximately 1 to 2 percent of the sample is then added, and the mixture is ground to a fine powder using a pestle. For hard samples, the sample is added first, ground, and then KBr is added and ground again. The ground sample mix is then transferred to a pellet-forming die and evenly spread. The die is inserted into a hydraulic pellet press, and pressure is applied to compress the mixture into a solid pellet. The pellet is then released from the die using the ejector.
The KBr pellet method is commonly used in infrared spectroscopy because alkali halides, such as potassium bromide, become plastic under pressure and form transparent sheets in the infrared region. Cesium iodide can also be used for measurements in the low-wavenumber region. The preparation method for 13 mm-diameter pellets involves mixing approximately 0.1 to 1.0 % sample with 200 to 250 mg of finely pulverized KBr powder. The mixture is then compressed under vacuum and degassed to eliminate air and moisture. The resulting transparent pellets can be used for infrared spectroscopy measurements.
In conclusion, potassium bromide can affect humans by causing symptoms such as central nervous system depression, skin eruptions, vomiting, and mental confusion. In scientific research, potassium bromide is commonly used to prepare samples for infrared spectroscopy by mixing it with the sample and compressing it into a solid pellet. This method allows for the study of molecular structures using an FTIR instrument.
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