I am confiused on the spectral range to consider after using the ATR technique on my samples. I try characterize sand/sediment samples from the top of my lab scale slow sand filter. To see if there are biomass development. I thought to consider the spectral wavelenght between 4000-1500 but a fellow scholar said it is now between 4000-600.
I think the following link will benefit you in your search
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~traceslab/ATR_FTIR.pdf
Best Regards Ashinze Chiedu Peter
Dear A.C. Peter,
In theory, the spectral range of an FTIR-ATR is between 4000 and 400 cm-1. As such, working between 4000 cm-1 and 1500 cm-1 limits you to only the high energy region of the spectrum.
Therefore, it is important you also explore the peaks/bands between 1500 and 400 cm-1 (the finger print region). However, the peaks in this region particularly between 600 and 400 often appear like noise and so can be disregarded.
Lastly, be sure to apply ATR correction after completing the FTIR scan otherwise there will be errors in your spectrum. I hope this helps. Best regards.
BB Nyakuma
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Cognitive Science
- Thinking