Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy

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Spectroscopic Measurements of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Our Environment © trattieritratti - stock.adobe.com

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are emerging contaminants that require robust analytical techniques for identification and quantification across diverse environmental and biological matrices. This review highlights various spectroscopy methods, including Raman, FT-IR, NIR, ICP-MS, Fluorescence, X-ray, and NMR, and details their methodologies, sample handling, and applications for characterizing MPs and NPs.

Top articles published this week include a peer-reviewed article that discuss two multivariate calibration algorithms for the spectrophotometric analysis of a drug containing antazoline hydrochloride (AN) and naphazoline hydrochloride (NP), an article about chemometric calibrations, and a feature about the 2024 Emerging Leader in Molecular Spectroscopy awardee.

Spectrum of scattering for different wavelength of incident light. Generated by AI. | Image Credit: © BrilliantPixels - stock.adobe.com

In the second installment of “The Big Review,” we discuss the physical mechanism behind how molecules absorb infrared (IR) radiation. Because light can be thought of as a wave or a particle, we have two equivalent pictures of IR absorbance. We also discuss the quantum mechanics behind IR absorbance, and how this leads to the different peak types observed in IR spectrum.

Man holding up a gold trophy cup | Image Credit: © Jag_cz - stock.adobe.com.

This year’s Emerging Leader in Molecular Spectroscopy Award recipient is Joseph P. Smith of Merck, whose research is significantly influencing pharmaceutical process development through his work in various spectroscopic techniques, biocatalysis, protein engineering, vaccine production, and advanced data analysis methods.

Depiction of Protein Molecules and Molecular Structures in Dynamic Biological Interactions ©  克 杜 - stock.adobe.com

Researchers at Nagoya University and RIKEN have developed a novel computational method to enhance the resolution of high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) images for studying protein conformational transitions. The algorithm, normal mode flexible fitting-atomic force microscopy (NMFF-AFM), leverages normal-mode analysis to derive precise molecular models, potentially transforming the understanding of biomolecular dynamics.

3d illustration of water molecule © artegorov3@gmail - stock.adobe.com

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research and the University of Cambridge have revealed new insights into the behavior of water molecules at the surface of saltwater using advanced vibrational sum-frequency generation spectroscopy (VSFG). Their findings challenge long-standing assumptions about ion distribution at these interfaces, which are critical in environmental and chemical processes.