Quantitative aspects of near-infrared Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy

Three fundamental behaviors of vibrational spectroscopy data manipulation routinely associated with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy are evaluated for near-infrared (NIR) Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy. Spectral reproducibility, spectral subtraction and sensitivity are examined relative to the NIR FT-Raman experiment. Quantitative predictive ability is compared for identical sets of samples containing mixtures of the three xylene isomers. Partial least-squares analysis is used to compare predictive ability. IR performance is found to be better than Raman, though the potential for method development using NIR FT-Raman is shown to be quite promising.     

Fourier transform Raman spectroscopic studies of a novel wood pulp bleaching system

The use of near-infrared (NIR) Fourier transform (FT) Raman spectroscopy for the study of lignocellulosic materials is discussed. An application utilizing NIR FT-Raman spectroscopy to study a novel chlorine-free process for the bleaching of wood pulps is presented in detail. The new process, still under development, entails the oxidation of residual lignin in wood pulps by vanadium-substituted polyoxometalates, and reoxidation of the reduced polyoxometalates by chlorine-free oxidants such as air, dioxygen, peroxides or ozone. Results from FT-Raman measurements of polyoxometalate-treated pulps are compared with those from chemical, spectroscopic and optical techniques commonly used in the pulp and paper industry.     

Fourier transform Raman microspectroscopy

Summary This paper shows some preliminary results taken with a commercially available Raman microscope which is based on the Fourier Transform Raman technique using near infrared laser sources. The micro apparatus is described and measurement examples are given. A comparison between spectra taken with the microscope and a conventional macro sample device which is usually utilized in FT-Raman spectroscopy is carried out. Furthermore the differences of FT-Raman and FT-IR microanalysis are studied on the basis of practical results received from spectral data. Limitations due to the physical properties of infrared and Raman microspectroscopy are discussed.The data partly contained in this paper were first presented at the 12th Int. Raman conference, August 1990, Columbia, S.C.Dedicated to the 60th birthday of Professor Bernhard Schrader     

Some consequences of the Fourier transform in Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy

This paper reviews some of the differences between dispersive and Fourier transform (FT) Raman spectroscopy with the goal of highlighting some of the advantages and disadvantages of FT-Raman spectroscopy. In particular, the use of filters, Connes advantage, trading rules and the size of the multiplex and throughput advantages are discussed.     

Experimental aspects of Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy

Using a commercial Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and the 1.064m line of a CW NdYAG laser, we have measured the Raman spectra of a wide variety of materials. The Raman scattered light, Stokes shifted toward the mid-infrared, is collected, using a 90° lens geometry, and focused through the emission port of the spectrometer. After passing through the Michelson interferometer, the light is detected by a thermoelectrically-cooled high-sensitivity germanium detector. The Fourier transform of the resulting interferogram gives the Raman spectrum. This new technique allows spectra to be obtained of samples which were previously completely masked by competing fluorescence. In addition, FT-Raman also allows moieties, such as hydrocarbon chains, which are not present in resonance enhanced spectra, to be investigated. We will discuss our approach toward FT-Raman, which is compatible with traditional Raman spectroscopy, present representative spectra of liquids and solids, and draw some comparisons and contrasts between dispersive and FT measurements.     

Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectral investigations of 5-aminoindole

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman (FT-Raman) spectra of 5-aminoindole has been recorded and analysed. The FT-IR spectrum of the compound was recorded in a BrukerIFS 66 V spectrometer in the range 4000-400 cm(-1) and the FT-Raman spectrum was also recorded in the same instrument in the region 3500-100 cm(-1). Observed frequencies for normal modes are compared with those calculated form normal co-ordinate analysis. The shift in the frequencies of the fundamental modes with the substituent amino group and the mixing of different normal modes are discussed with the help of potential energy distribution (PED) calculated through normal co-ordinate analysis.     

Fourier transform Raman spectrometry

Conclusions FT-Raman spectrometry has advanced significantly through the combination of CW Nd: YAG lasers, high sensitivity near-infrared detectors, and state-of-the-art filter technology. Obtaining fluorescence-free spectra through nearinfrared excitation has now become practical.Raman spectrometry provides data which is complementary in nature to infrared spectra and often helps provide unambiguous structural determination. Sample preparation, if necessary, is often easier than for the mid-infrared analysis. Sample categories for which Raman spectrometry can provide significant data include: aqueous soultions, catalysts [9], thin films, minerals and inorganics [10], and biological [9, 11] compounds, Typical scan times are 1 min or less. FT-Raman has truly become a powerful, general purpose analytical tool.     

1064-nanometer-excited Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy of conducting polymers

Application of 1064-nm-excited Fourier transform (FT)-Raman spectroscopy to the characterization of conducting polymers is described. 1064-nm-excited FT-Raman spectra with high signal-to-noise ratios are obtained from polyacetylene (PA), poly(1,4-phenylene) (PPP), poly(1,4-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) and poly(2,5-thienylene vinylene) (PTV) in their neutral (insulating) state. The resonant Raman spectra of acceptor- or donor-doped (conducting) PA and PPV are also obtained wih 1064-nm excitation. The resonant Raman spectra of Na-doped PA change in two stages with increasing dopant concentration, the first change corresponding to the increase in electrical conductivity and the second to the appearance of a Pauli susceptibility. The 1064-nm-excited FT-Raman spectrum of Na-doped PPV indicates existence of negative bipolarons which are equivalent to divalent anions extending over a few repeating units in the polymer chains.     

Fourier transform Raman instrumentation

This paper gives an outline of the steps necessary to convert an FTIR interferometer, with NIR capability, into an NIR FT Raman spectrometer. The example of the conversion of a Perkin-Elmer 1720X FTIR instrument is used to bring out the important points. Where appropriate, explanations are given for the choices of particular components. Finally, two examples of possible accessories are given, i.e. the acquisition of depolarization ratios and remote Raman spectra.     

Determination of ethanol in fuel ethanol and beverages by Fourier transform (FT)-near infrared and FT-Raman spectrometries

Fourier transform-near infrared (FT-NIR) and FT-Raman spectrometries have been used to design partial least squares (PLS) calibration models for the determination of the ethanol content of ethanol fuel and alcoholic beverages. In the FT-NIR measurements the spectra were obtained using air as reference, and the spectral region for PLS modeling were selected based on the spectral distribution of the relative standard deviation in concentration. In the FT-Raman measurements hexachloro-1,3-butadiene (HCBD) has been used as an external standard. In the PLS/FT-NIR modeling for ethanol fuel analysis 50 ethanol fuel standards (84.9-100% (w/w)) were used (25 in the calibration, 25 in the validation). In the PLS/FT-Raman modeling 25 standards were used (13 in the calibration, 12 in the validation). The PLS/FT-NIR and FT-Raman models for beverage analysis made use of 24 standards (0-100% (v/v)). Twelve of them contained sugars (1-5% (w/w)), one-half was used in the calibration and the other half in the validation. Different spectral pre-processing were used in the PLS modeling, depending on the type of sample investigated. In the ethanol fuel analysis the FT-NIR pre-processing was a 17 points smoothed first derivative and for beverages no spectral pre-processing was used. The FT-Raman spectra were pre-processed by vector normalization in the ethanol fuel analysis and by a second derivative (17 points smoothing) in the beverage analysis. The PLS models were used in the analysis of real ethanol fuel and beverage samples. A t-test has shown that the FT-NIR model has an accuracy equivalent to that of the reference method (ASTM D4052) in the analysis of ethanol fuel, while in the analysis of beverages, the FT-Raman model presents an accuracy equivalent to the reference method. The limits of detection for NIR and Raman calibration models were 0.05 and 0.2% (w/w), respectively. It has also been shown that both techniques, present better results than gas chromatography (GC) in evaluating the ethanol content of beverages.     

Near-IR Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy and PLS-2 modeling for improved understanding of near-IR spectra

The recent development of non-destructive near-IR (NIR) Raman techniques, which have the capability of providing fundamental vibrational information for bulk materials, has opened up a great possibility of understanding the non-destructive NIR spectra of such materials better, through statistical correlation of the two spectral methods. In this work, the use of NIR-FT-Raman spectroscopy and PLS-2 modeling to improve the understanding of the NIR spectroscopy of polyurethane elastomers is demonstrated. The use of this procedure resulted in improved assignments of the NIR bands corresponding to aromatic, urethane and urea groups in the elastomers, and an improved understanding of the NIR spectral effect that corresponds to the nitrogen void content in the elastomers.     

Near-infrared Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy: Facing absorption and background

Visible wavelength excitation enables Raman spectra to be recorded successfully from approximately 10% of the “real, live” samples encountered in routine analytics without recourse to purification procedures. Fluorescence from impurities present in the sample often masks the Raman spectrum. This is especially true of the industrial environment. The great advantage of the newly-developed technique of near-infrared Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy (NIR FTR) is that fluorescence arising from sample impurity is not excited. Now about 90% of all samples show Raman spectra. However, it is possible to increase both the number of samples open to study using NIR FTR and to improve the quality of the spectra by optimizing the sampling arrangement. This involves taking into consideration the optical properties of the sample, especially the absorption spectrum and thermal emission characteristics, according to Planck's and Kirchhoff's laws. Only a few samples continue to show continuous backgrounds; this is sometimes true even if no background is apparent with visible excitation. The sources of such backgrounds are described, as are means to reduce or eliminate most of them.     

Comparison of near-infrared and Raman spectroscopy for the determination of the density of polyethylene pellets

In this study, we compare near-infrared (NIR) and Raman spectroscopy for the determination of the density of linear low density polyethylene (PE) (in a pellet form). As generally known, Raman spectral features are more selective than those of NIR for most chemical samples. NIR spectroscopy has been more extensively used for the quantitative analysis of polymers, but Raman spectroscopy is the better choice as long as the problem of reproducibility of Raman measurements (especially for solid samples), mostly resulting from insufficient sample representation due to probing only localized chemical information and the sensitivity of sample placement with regard to the focal plane, can be overcome. To improve sample representation and reproducibility of Raman measurements, we have employed the wide area illumination (WAI) Raman scheme, capable of illuminating a laser onto a large sample area (28.3 mm²) for Raman spectral collection (a 6-mm laser spot with a focal length of 248 mm). Diffuse reflectance NIR spectra of PE pellets were collected using a sample moving system which allowed for the scanning of large areas. The prediction error was 0.0008 g cm⁻³ for Raman spectroscopy and 0.0011 g cm⁻³ for NIR spectroscopy. The harmonization of inherently selective Raman features and a reproducible spectral collection with correct sample representations using the WAI scheme led to an accurate determination of the density of the PE pellets.     

FT-Raman,FT-infrared and NIR spectroscopic characterization of oxygen-delignified kraft pulp treated with hydrogen peroxide under acidic and alkaline conditions

The effects of bleaching treatment of oxygen-delignified softwood kraft pulp with hydrogen peroxide under acidic and alkaline conditions were studied using standard technological techniques and spectroscopic analytical methods: near-infrared (NIR), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Fourier-transform (FT) Raman spectroscopies. Among the three tested spectroscopic techniques, NIR analysis appeared to be the most appropriate in terms of possible technological applications. The use of NIR spectroscopy combined with multivariate data analysis allowed to create models for pulp bleaching monitoring based on CIE L*a*b* measurements. Near-infrared and FTIR spectroscopic studies allowed differentiating between the effects of the acidic and alkaline peroxide bleaching stages, but failed in relation to the delignification process. The most representative bands in the FTIR and FT-Raman spectra in terms of delignification and chromophore removal exhibited no correlation with standard technological measurement results.     

Length determination of vessel elements in tree trunks used for water and nutrient transport by Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy

Length analysis of vessel elements in tree trunks used for water and nutrient transport is a lengthy, multistep procedure although it reflects environmental stresses on a tree. The feasibility of using FT-Raman spectroscopy for rapid determination of vessel element length in a tree was examined using wood powders of two Eucalyptus species, including samples of various ages and colors. The first-derivative transformation followed by the multiplicative scatter correction of Raman spectroscopic data and the partial least-squares regression revealed highly significant correlation between conventionally measured and Raman-predicted vessel element length with correlation coefficients (r) of 0.843 and 0.826, respectively, in the calibration (for known samples, n=186) and in the prediction (for unknown samples, n=40). FT-Raman spectroscopy coupled with multivariate data analysis will contribute to solving the interactions between emerging environmental issues and the anatomical structure of wood, which allow efficient management practices in growing forests to fix atmospheric CO₂ effectively.     

Monitoring of enzyme catalysed reactions by Fourier transform Raman spectrometry

Esterification of mandelic acid catalysed by Candida antarctica lipase B was studied by Fourier transform (FT) Raman spectrometry in non-aqueous medium. It was found that there is a strict correlation between the intensity of the Raman scattering and the activity of the enzyme. FT-Raman spectrometry seems to be a fast and reliable method for selecting the appropriate enzyme and for determining the optimal enzyme water content. In addition, valuable information can be obtained from the spectra regarding the mechanism of enzyme–substrate bonding.     

Fourier transform raman spectroscopy of elastomers: An overview

The application of FF Raman spectroscopy in the field of elastomers has been reviewed. FT Raman spectra of various natural and synthetic elastomers are presented to illustrate both the advantages and the limitations of the technique.Carbon black and some oils, when compounded with natural and synthetic elastomers, prevent the acquisition of useful Raman spectra. However, all other commercial samples studied produced excellent spectra in the raw and vulcanized states without any sample pre-treatment.This has allowed quantitative work on blends and isomeric elastomers and also the direct study of the rubber vulcanization process.Future developments of the technique are discussed.     

Raman spectrometry and neural networks for the classification of wood types—1

In this work the coupling of near infrared (NIR) Fourier-transform (FT) Raman spectroscopy and neural computing for spectral feature extraction and classification of woods is reported. A NIR FT-Raman spectrometer operating at 1064 nm was used for all measurements; particular attention was paid to the effects of sample fluorescence and heating. It was demonstrated that fluorescence rejection is accomplished only for the lighter colored woods and that fluorescence was found to be severe for 10 of the 71 woods studied in this work even using excitation at 1064 nm. It was further found that hardwoods were no more or less susceptible to sample heating than softwoods. Feed-forward neural networks were used to extract the principal features of wood spectra at resolutions of 4, 8 and 16 cm⁻¹ and to classify spectra as either temperate hardwoods or temperate softwoods. Neural networks were constructed using zero and two processing elements in the hidden layer. It was shown that neural networks with two hidden processing elements perform near optimally, since each hidden layer processing element may function as either a hardwood or softwood feature detector. This work represents the first time that FT-Raman spectroscopy and neural network technology have been coupled for spectral feature extraction and classification.     

Complexation of chitosan with acetic acid according to Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy data

The results of the interaction between the protonated chitosan (CHI) macromolecule and the acetate ion in dilute acetic acid solutions were studied by Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy and quantum-chemical modeling. The complexation of CHI with the acetate ion showed itself as the 934 cm^?1 band in the Raman spectrum, which suggests the formation of [CHI⁺ · CH₃COO^?] type ion pairs. It was concluded that a comparative analysis of the integrated intensities of the Raman bands in the range 880–940 cm^?1 makes it possible to judge about the relative content of hydrated acetate ions, CHI macromolecules of the [CHI⁺ · CH₃COO^?] complex, and acetic acid molecules not involved in CHI protonation.