KBr, or potassium bromide, plays a crucial role in Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).
Its primary use is in sample preparation.
KBr is used to create pellets that contain the sample material.
This allows for accurate and efficient analysis of the sample's infrared spectrum.
What is the use of KBr in FTIR? 4 Key Roles Explained
1. Sample Preparation
KBr is chosen for sample preparation in FTIR due to its transparency to infrared light.
This property allows it to serve as an effective matrix for the sample without interfering with the infrared light transmission.
The typical process involves mixing the sample with KBr in a 1:100 ratio.
This mixture is then compressed using a hydraulic press to form a solid pellet.
The pellet is designed to be transparent to infrared light, ensuring that the sample is sufficiently diluted for accurate detection within the FTIR's range.
2. Pellet Formation
The KBr pellet method exploits the plasticity of alkali halides, such as KBr, when subjected to pressure.
This plasticity allows them to form transparent sheets in the infrared region.
The pellets are formed by mixing the sample with KBr and then pressing the mixture under high pressure.
The resulting pellet is a solid, transparent disc that contains the sample in a dilute form, suitable for FTIR analysis.
3. Avoidance of Interference
KBr is hygroscopic, meaning it can absorb water from the air.
This property can introduce moisture into the FTIR measurement if not properly managed.
To mitigate this, sample preparation and pellet formation are ideally conducted in a controlled environment, such as a glovebox, to minimize exposure to moisture.
Alternatively, using a vacuum die during the pressing process can help reduce the amount of absorbed moisture.
4. Role in Spectral Analysis
Once the KBr pellet is prepared, it is used in the FTIR spectrometer.
The FTIR system compares the light passing through the system with and without the sample in place.
The presence of the sample in a KBr pellet ensures that the sample does not block the path of the infrared light, which could otherwise reduce the total throughput and make the comparison unreliable.
In summary, KBr is crucial in FTIR for facilitating the preparation of samples in a form that is conducive to accurate and interference-free infrared spectral analysis.
Its transparency to infrared light and the ease with which it can be formed into pellets make it an ideal choice for this application.
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