CHFEN 5503

IR/FTIR Spectra and Analysis Lab

Fall 2005

STUDENT OBJECTIVES
This series of lab exercises is intended to give you:
1.
An opportunity to use the P.E. 1600 FTIR spectrometer.
2.
Experience acquiring FTIR spectra for gases, solid films, and neat liquids.
3.
An opportunity to relate IR spectra to chemical structure.
4.
An opportunity to "solve" analytical problems using FTIR.
INTRODUCTION
The successful use of the Perkin Elmer (P.E.) 1600 FTIR includes
understanding procedures for the instrument, the computer software, and sample
preparation. The P.E. is also capable of being controlled from the touch pads on
the instrument. Your objective is to learn the basics of the FTIR instrument,
including startup, scanning, saving and printing a spectra, and identifying the
wavenumber of the major peaks in the spectra. You will also learn basic liquid cell
techniques and the use of the new (February 2004) diamond ATR attachment.
Tasks for Week of March 3/4
(Teams A & C from 2 - 3:20; Teams B & D from
3:30 - 4:50)
(Teams E & F. #3-9, from 2 - 3:20; Team G from 3:30
- 4:50)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Receive class/group instruction on the use of the P.E. 1600 FTIR

spectrometer and software.
Produce, save, and print a FTIR spectra of natural gas. (Team project with
help of lab assistant)
Receive group instruction on the proper handling, filling, and cleaning of a
NaCl liquid cell.
Prepare, save, and print a FTIR spectra of "toluene" which includes the
wavenumber of the major peaks.
Prepare a background scan and print a spectra for our collection of premounted thin film plastics. Include wavenumbers for the major peaks.
Each person should do at least one film.
Save the thin film FTIR spectra to a floppy or Zip disk.

Tasks for Week of March 10/11 Team times are reversed for both days (e.g.
A&C come at 3:30).
6.
7.
8.

9.

Bring your copy of the "set" of FTIR spectra produced last week.
Produce a FTIR spectra of a wrapper material you have found that is
made with "post industrial" or "post consumer" plastics (magazines typically
use such a wrapper).
Produce a FTIR spectra of an "unknown" (same unknown # as assigned in
class) piece of thin plastic film (provided by us), print the spectra with the
wavenumber of the major peaks. You should be able to identify the
"unknown" material using interpretation tables OR based on a comparison
with the "standard" spectra produced previously (#5 above). We also have
some reference spectra of plastics in a notebook available in the lab.
After all the plastics have been run, we will install the new diamond ATR
sample attachment. We will also provide a set of liquid compounds that
illustrate common functional groups. From the set, select at least four

10.

knowns for spectral determination on the ATR. Produce the scan, save the
FTIR spectra to disk, and print the spectra with wavenumbers of major
absorbing peaks marked.
Using the ATR, prepare an FTIR spectra of an organic unknown with your
assigned unknown number. Save the spectra to disk and print it for your
personal use.

FTIR Lab page 2

REPORT :
Your MEMO report for this set of lab activities should be brief but include the
following:
1.

Interpret the FTIR spectra of natural gas (# 2 above). What can you
conclude about determining the gaseous mixtures purity by FTIR?

2.

Identify (e.g. C-H stretch) at least four of the major peaks in each of the thin
film FTIR spectra (reference #5 above).

3.

Identify the polymer or co-polymer used to make each of the thin films used
in # 5 above by name and chemical structure.

4.

Interpret and then compare the spectra for "toluene" to a literature FTIR
spectra for toluene. Be sure to identify the source of the literature/reference
toluene spectra and to include a copy of it. What do you conclude about the
quality of the literature spectra compared to your spectra? What do you
conclude about the purity of the laboratory "toluene?

5.

Based on the FTIR spectra of the wrapper made from post

industrial/consumer materials (#8 above), what polymers do you believe the
wrapper was made from? Justify your conclusion.

6.

Interpret the FTIR spectra of your unknown thin plastic film (#9 above) and
suggest a polymer or co-polymer it is made from (e.g. polystyrene). Explain
your conclusion.

REVISED:
7.
Interpret the FTIR spectra (i.e. identify at least the functional
group absorbances/peaks) of your groups liquid and/or solid
knowns (# 10 above) run using the diamond ATR. If you run your
liquid unknown (#11), which was made optional due to potential
odors, try to identify your unknown or at least what compound it is
similar to. Similar to should include the primary functional
group in your liquid unknown.
.

UNKNOWN THIN FILM PLASTICS: ChFE 5503, FTIR Lab.

2004
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Chem. Eng. Progress (CEP) Journal Wrapper

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ShrinkwrapfromUHaulstore
WrapperonDVD=sshippedfromAmazon.com4/4/01
ZiplockBrandBag
WrapperfromATradesman@PaintBrush
CDWrapperfromanIRSamplingDeviseDemoCD
BulkFoodsBagbyMobilChemicalCo.
PaperTowelWrapper,ASparkle@byGeorgiaPacific
SaltLakeTribuneNewspaperBag
AlbertsonsBrandofSandwichBag
Wrapperfrom3/22/99OilandGasJournal
UofUABluebooks@Wrapper
IcecreamCartonLiner,2Gal.AlbertsonsBrand
GenericZiplocStyleBag
HarmonsWheatBreadWrapper
ASEEAPrism@JournalWrapper
ARestecinReview@CatalogWrapper
CDWrapperNew(April2000)SteelyDanCD
FloppyDiskWrapper,New,BrandUnknown
Wrapperfrom3/27/00OilandGasJournal
LargeThinPlasticBagSourceUnknown
30Gal.GarbageBagusedin117EMRL(ouroldlab)
ACello@FloPak(wasgasfilledoriginally)
RiceChexBrandCerealBag
ReynoldsWrap
MicrosoftSoftwareBoxWrapper

Spring,