Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

Abstract

Infrared spectroscopy has always been a powerful tool for the identification of organic materials. The development of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy has introduced a popular method for the quantitative analysis of complex mixtures, as well as for the investigation of surface and interfacial phenomena. This chapter reviews the basic theory behind FTIR spectroscopy and its various instrumentation aspects. The characteristic vibrational absorption bands used for the identification of key chemical structures as well as methods for quantitative measurement of chemical composition are described here. The advantages and disadvantages encountered while using FTIR are also reviewed here.