Fast analysis of inks on paper using thesampling accessory GladiATR Vision sampling accessory
Thanks to the simplicity of sampling, the FT-IR ATR technique has gained a large number of fans. Using a single interface - the ATR crystal - it is possible to measure a wide range of samples: liquids, solids, pastes, gels and powders. However, sometimes it is important to determine where the spectrum will be measured, whether it is because you are interested in how homogeneous the sample is, or because it is a more complex sample such as paper ink, fiber sample or contamination.
And that is why the GladiATR Vision ATR sampling accessory, compatible with Nicolet FT-IR spectrometers, was developed: with it is possible to display the analyzed part of the sample. You can select a specific point that interests you, which expands the possibilities of the ATR technique, for example in forensic studies.
Its use can be demonstrated on the example of the analysis of inks on paper. The paper itself has a very strong spectrum in both FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy, where it often has fluorescence, which makes measurement significantly difficult. However, fluorescence cannot, by its nature, occur in the infrared spectra; in addition, it is a fast, reliable and non-destructive method of analysis, so that the samples can then be used, e.g. during the evidentiary processes.
It can be seen that the spectrum of the paper is really very intense. Even so, it was possible to identify the spectral characteristic of each of the black inks in the ink spectra and compare them with each other: they are clearly distinguishable from each other.
