Measurement of Volatile Solutions and Solvents Using the Specac Quest ATR Accessory

For collection of Infra Red spectral data of liquid or solid samples it is desirable to achieve a spectral range extending from 4000cm^-1 to 400cm^-1. Traditionally, the use of liquid transmission cells with KBr windows allows for this transmission range of light to be collected, but there may be compromise of the liquid cells structural integrity if the sample itself contains any aqueous component which will attack the KBr windows. In this application note, an alternative method using the Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) technique is described. The Specac Quest™ ATR accessory can be used to measure volatile solutions or solvents, such as Methanol, Acetone and Cuvertin.