---
title: "FTIR – Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy"
url: "https://mat-cs.com/ftir-fourier-transform-infrared-spectroscopy/"
description: "FTIR is commonly used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic and inorganic compounds in various fields. Click to learn more."
---

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# FTIR – Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy

FTIR is commonly used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic and inorganic compounds in various fields. Click to learn more.

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Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is a non-destructive analytical technique that measures the absorption or transmission of infrared radiation by a sample as a function of frequency or wavelength. FTIR is commonly used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic and inorganic compounds in various fields such as pharmaceuticals, polymers, food, and environmental analysis.

## Typical uses of FTIR include

1.  Identification of unknown compounds by comparing their FTIR spectra to reference spectra.
2.  Analysis of chemical functional groups and chemical bonds present in a sample.
3.  Quantitative analysis of the concentration of specific compounds in a sample.
4.  Characterization of the structure and conformation of polymers and proteins.

The strengths of FTIR include its high sensitivity, specificity, and ability to provide a wealth of information about the chemical composition and structure of a sample. FTIR can detect very small amounts of compounds in complex mixtures and can provide quantitative data. FTIR is also a relatively simple and rapid technique that can analyze solid, liquid, and gas samples.

The limitations of FTIR include its inability to provide information about the three-dimensional structure of a molecule and its sensitivity to interference from water and other atmospheric gases. FTIR is also prone to interference from sample preparation artifacts, such as impurities or contaminants. Moreover, FTIR is a relatively expensive technique that requires specialized training and expertise to interpret the spectra correctly.