📋 Workflow
Full workflow, products add-to-cart directly1
Prepare the sample
10 minPress a KBr pellet for solids, a liquid film for liquids, or use ATR for microsampling.
💡 Tip ATR needs no pellet—fast and easy
⚠️ Caution KBr is hygroscopic; press pellets dry
🧪 Materials for this step (click to shop by spec/brand)
2
Acquire the spectrum
5–15 minPlace the sample in the IR, acquire 4000–400 cm⁻¹ full scan with background subtraction.
💡 Tip Subtract blank to remove air/water
⚠️ Caution A sample too thick saturates to flat peaks
🧪 Materials for this step (click to shop by spec/brand)
3
Interpret characteristic absorptions
15 minMatch diagnostic regions for C=O, O–H, N–H, C≡N etc., and assign functional groups.
💡 Tip Sharp strong band near 1700–1600 often = carbonyl
⚠️ Caution A broad band may fold several H-bond vibrations
🧪 Materials for this step (click to shop by spec/brand)
⚠️ 5 Common Beginner Mistakes
- ① Water from moist KBr masks O–H
- ② Thick sample saturates key bands
- ③ No background subtract mixes CO₂/H₂O
- ④ Misreading fingerprint noise as peaks
- ⑤ IR alone can't settle a full structure
❓ FAQ
+Can IR confirm structure?
Good for groups; usually combine with MS/NMR.
+ATR vs pellet?
ATR is fast/non-destructive; pellet gives stronger signal.
+Why a broad water band?
Hygroscopic KBr/sample adds a broad 3000–3500 band.