PY-FTIR is an instrumental technique coupling two mature techniques: pyrolysis, meaning thermal degradation of materials in an inert atmosphere, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, a technique for obtaining the infrared spectrum of solid, liquid, or gas absorption or emission. Their combination enables deep investigations of complicated materials, among which are polymers, biomaterials, and other organic compounds. The main advantage of Py-FTIR is to fragment huge and complicated molecules into smaller pieces, easily recognizable.
Principle and Methodology of Py-FTIR
Py-FTIR is one technique for analyzing volatile compounds by utilizing the process of pyrolysis. This means that the temperature is increased to very high degrees, resulting in the decomposition of a sample into smaller molecules. The molecules are then analyzed with the help of FTIR spectroscopy. Then, the volatile compounds are transferred into an FTIR spectrometer for analysis. This spectrometer gathers the infrared spectra of gaseous products and gives the molecular fingerprint of these compounds.
Instrumentation
A Py-FTIR instrument consists of a pyrolyzer, a source of controlled rate heat, a transfer line, a Fourier-transformed infrared spectrometer, and data analysis software. The pyrolyzer heats the sample, the transfer line ensures the transport of the pyrolysis products without condensation, and the FTIR spectrometer measures infrared spectra. Data analysis software interprets the spectra to identify and quantify compounds present.
Applications of Pyrolysis-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Pyrolysis-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy is a versatile, detailed molecular analysis tool that finds application in polymer analysis, environmental science, forensic science, biomaterials research, and quality control. It helps identify polymer composition, degradation products, and additives that aid in the study of polymer blends and copolymers. It also helps trace pollutants in soil, water, and air in environmental science, unknown substances in forensic science, biopolymers in biomaterials research, and quality control in industries such as pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals.
