Understanding the surface chemistry of materials, examining surface modification, material failure processes, and designing new technologies all require surface analysis technology. Raman spectroscopy is a tool for studying molecular bonding in materials that is extremely sensitive to structural changes. Alfa Chemistry offers a broad range of Raman analysis services to customers for testing and analyzing various surface materials.
Learn About Raman Spectroscopy
A beam of photons from a pulsed laser (typically with a wavelength in the visible light region) hits the surface in Raman spectroscopy. The photons are scattered by the molecules in the sample, and the energy released corresponds to the vibration level of the scattering molecules. A spectrometer analyzes the scattered photons to produce a spectrum that shows energy loss, which is typical of the molecules that interact with the photon.
Fig 1. Distinctive Raman spectra of various biomolecules. All spectra were collected from powdered samples using 785 nm excitation. (Kuhar N, et al. 2018)
Raman spectroscopy can determine chemical structures and identify molecules by using vibrational spectroscopy. Raman analysis offers a higher spatial resolution than FTIR and can study objects as tiny as 1 m.
The ideal use of Raman is as follows:
- Determine the molecular structure of organic and inorganic compounds for pollution analysis and material classification
- Characterization of carbon layers, such as graphite and diamond
- Orientation measurement (random and organized structure)
- Pressure measurement
The advantages of Raman include:
- Able to identify organic functional groups and usually specific organic compounds
- Spectral library for compound identification
- Usually non-destructive
- Minimum analysis area (better than FTIR)
Raman Spectroscopy of Alfa Chemistry
Raman spectroscopy is a widely used qualitative analysis tool in surface research. It can determine surface bonding, conformation, and orientation, as well as provide information about the surface's functional groups or structure. In the field of surface research, Raman spectroscopy is one of the most promising and commonly utilized techniques.
Alfa Chemistry offers a broad variety of Raman analysis services to our customers, including the analysis of flaws, particles, and impurities, the identification of materials in a small region, and the measurement of stress. Raman analysis is a great tool for analyzing organic and inorganic hybrid materials in both qualitative and semi-quantitative ways.
The Raman applications and services we provide include but are not limited to:
- Coating characterization, curing, delamination, uniformity, etc.
- Identify organic and inorganic materials, polymers, and biomolecules in particles, defects, and bulk materials
- Drawing and imaging of chemical composition, crystallinity, orientation, strain, additive migration, etc.
- Measure crystal structure and stress in semiconductors and polymers
- Active pharmaceutical ingredients in the coating
Our customers may use the Raman data to swiftly address problems, reduce cycle times, and enhance production processes. To ensure that you understand the information you receive, you can count on quick return times, accurate data, and one-on-one services. Please get in touch with us to learn more about how we can use this technology to analyze your materials.
Reference
- Kuhar N, et al. (2018). "Challenges in application of Raman spectroscopy to biology and materials." RSC Adv. 8: 25888-25908.
