I have observed in my study that post chemical treatment of a biomaterial, the intensity of the peaks (IR) has increased compared to untreated. The groups corresponding to the peaks are amines, carbonyl, carboxyl, and esters. If the chemicals used are sodium hydroxide, nitric acid or calcium chloride (independently) what could have caused this increase in intensity? Does it involve any chemical reaction with the existing groups? If so what (to be exact)?
Consider the biomaterial to be a lignocellulosic material.
Any answers are welcome. I would be grateful if chemical reactions could be given to explain the reason involved.
Thank you.
In general, with all else being equal, IR intensity is proportional to the number of absorbing species per unit volume. In a perfect case, an increase in IR absorbance means that you have increased the concentration of the species. The concerns are that samples must be normalized to exactly the same state. Any change in properties such as sample thickness, reflectivity, or bulk density will also affect IR intensity. A required first-order approach to compensate for this is to normalize the spectral intensity against an internal calibration standard and to perform other characterizations to complement the IR.
In summary, a simple answer is not possible from general principles.
My subsequent recommendation is to do a literature search for IR studies of comparable materials to what you have. Review how they address your questions. Someone with the requisite specific background may also chime in here to point you in the proper direction.
It is difficult to answer without the details of exact procedure and biomaterial type.
If pattern remain same while intensity has increased or decreased then that is due to concentration of sample. But if functional group are converted to other then they will show new frequency which you should interpret
eg.
Esters (RCOOR') on hydrolysis get converted to acid (RCOOH) and alcohol (R'OH)
Amines (NH2) on oxidation convert to Nitro (NO2)
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