Spectroscopy Top 10 Articles of the Month (July 2026)

Each article has been selected based on the number of successful DOI page views by readers as reported by [email protected]. The articles showcase key developments and insights in spectroscopy and chromatography. Spectroscopy covers the main topics of electronic spectroscopy, vibrational spectroscopy, magnetic resonance, imaging techniques, atomic spectroscopy, and data analysis and integration. LCGC covers most aspects of liquid and gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and related technical aspects of separation science.

This month's ranking again favors the popular Infrared Spectroscopy of Polymers series and Raman spectroscopy content, alongside strong reader interest in artificial intelligence, elemental analysis, and mass spectrometry applications from Spectroscopy and LCGC International.

1. Infrared Spectroscopy of Polymers VIII: Polyesters and the Rule of Three

Author: Brian C. Smith

This article introduces the infrared spectroscopy of ester-containing polymers and presents the author's “Rule of Three” approach for interpreting polyester spectra. Important industrial polymers, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are examined in detail. The article reviews ester-group spectroscopy and demonstrates how characteristic carbonyl and C–O stretching bands facilitate the identification and analysis of polyester materials.

2. Interpretation of Raman Spectrum of Proteins

Author: Fran Adar

Proteins present complex Raman spectra that contain information about molecular structure, conformation, and biological function. This article provides a practical guide to interpreting protein Raman spectra, including assignments of amide bands, side-chain vibrations, and structural markers. The discussion demonstrates how Raman spectroscopy can be used to investigate protein folding, aggregation, and biochemical interactions.

3. A Comprehensive Review of Spectroscopic Techniques for Lithium-Ion Battery Analysis

Author: Jerome Workman, Jr.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are critical to consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage, and improving their performance, safety, and lifespan depends on a range of analytical techniques applied across research, manufacturing, and quality control. This review surveys the spectroscopic methods used to characterize LIB materials, including ICP-MS, ICP-OES, Raman, XRF, XPS, FT-IR, NIR, UV-vis, fluorescence, and NMR spectroscopy, and summarizes how each contributes to elucidating the structural, compositional, and electrochemical properties that drive battery performance.

4. Artificial Intelligence in Analytical Spectroscopy, Part II: Examples in Spectroscopy

Authors: Jerome Workman, Jr. and Howard Mark

Continuing a two-part series on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in analytical chemistry, this article focuses on applications of AI to electronic and vibrational spectroscopy, including deep learning approaches. The authors survey selected literature illustrating how AI and ML have been applied to Raman, infrared (FT-IR), near-infrared (NIR), and UV-vis spectroscopic techniques, offering a sampling of the growing body of research at the intersection of AI and molecular spectroscopy.

5. Simultaneous Determination of 50 Elements in Geological Samples by ICP-MS Combined with ICP-OES

Authors: Cang Gong, Haichuan Lu, Kun Zhang, Yang Ding, and Lihua Wang

This article describes a method combining inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for the simultaneous determination of 50 major, minor, trace, and rare earth elements in geological samples such as stream sediment, soil, and rock. Sample digestion using an HCl-HNO3-HF-HClO4 acid mixture is paired with the combined instrumental approach to deliver comprehensive multielement characterization.

6. The Infrared Spectra of Polymers II: Polyethylene

Author: Brian C. Smith

Polyethylene remains one of the most important commercial polymers and serves as an excellent model system for learning polymer infrared spectroscopy. This article continues the discussion of polyethylene spectral interpretation, showing how synthesis methods affect polymer morphology and spectroscopic behavior. Particular attention is given to crystalline splitting and methylene rocking vibrations, illustrating how subtle spectral changes reveal structural differences in polyethylene materials.

7. Infrared Spectroscopy of Polymers X: Polyacrylates

Author: Brian C. Smith

Acrylic polymers represent a large and commercially important family of materials. This article focuses on polyacrylates, especially polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), commonly known as Plexiglas. The discussion demonstrates how infrared spectroscopy can distinguish PMMA, copolymers, and polymer blends through characteristic ester and methyl-group vibrations. Applications in materials identification and quality control are emphasized.

8. Flying High with Sensitivity and Selectivity: GC–MS to GC–MS/MS

Author: Nicholas H. Snow

Mass spectrometry (MS) is the most powerful detector available for gas chromatography (GC), and multidimensional mass spectrometry (MS/MS) extends its capability further on benchtop systems. This installment of “GC Connections” reviews the fundamentals of MS/MS as a GC detector, showing how full-scan analyses provide universal detection while selected ion monitoring and multiple reaction monitoring deliver highly selective, noise-free, femtogram-level quantitation, and outlines scenarios where GC–MS/MS is the preferred solution for complex analytical problems.

9. Key Steps to Create a Sample Preparation Strategy for Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) or ICP-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Analysis

Authors: Daniel Kutscher, Jianfeng Cui, and Cristian Cojocariu

Inductively coupled plasma (ICP), used with either optical emission spectroscopy (OES) or mass spectrometry (MS) detection, is a robust and versatile source for atomic spectroscopy tolerant of a wide variety of sample types. However, inadequate sample preparation or an inappropriate sample introduction setup can cause signal drift, elevated backgrounds, poor detection limits, or unexpected interferences. This tutorial outlines the key steps for building a trouble-free sample preparation workflow for elemental analysis by ICP-OES or ICP-MS.

10. Bare Journal-Level DOI (Not Attributable to a Single Manuscript)

A tenth search (135 views) was recorded against the bare journal-level DOI rather than an individual article and is therefore not attributable to a single manuscript.

References

1. Smith, B. C. Infrared Spectroscopy of Polymers VIII: Polyesters and the Rule of Three. Spectroscopy 2022, 37 (10), 25–28. https://doi.org/10.56530/spectroscopy.ta9383e3.

2. Adar, F. Interpretation of Raman Spectrum of Proteins. Spectroscopy 2022, 37 (2), 9–13, 25. https://doi.org/10.56530/spectroscopy.lo2270l5.

3. Workman, J., Jr. A Comprehensive Review of Spectroscopic Techniques for Lithium-Ion Battery Analysis. Spectroscopy 2024, 6–16. https://doi.org/10.56530/spectroscopy.ii3689u3.

4. Workman, J., Jr.; Mark, H. Artificial Intelligence in Analytical Spectroscopy, Part II: Examples in Spectroscopy. Spectroscopy 2023, 10–15. https://doi.org/10.56530/spectroscopy.js8781e3.

5. Gong, C.; Lu, H.; Zhang, K.; Ding, Y.; Wang, L. Simultaneous Determination of 50 Elements in Geological Samples by ICP-MS Combined with ICP-OES. Spectroscopy 2024, 39 (s9), 6–17. https://doi.org/10.56530/spectroscopy.xu1284x3.

6. Smith, B. The Infrared Spectra of Polymers II: Polyethylene. Spectroscopy 2021, 36 (9), 24. https://doi.org/10.56530/spectroscopy.xp7081p7.

7. Smith, B. C. Infrared Spectroscopy of Polymers X: Polyacrylates. Spectroscopy 2023, 38 (1), 10–14. https://doi.org/10.56530/spectroscopy.mi9381w4.

8. Snow, N. H. Flying High with Sensitivity and Selectivity: GC–MS to GC–MS/MS. LCGC North America 2021, 61–67. https://doi.org/10.56530/lcgc.na.yn3065q6.

9. Kutscher, D.; Cui, J.; Cojocariu, C. Key Steps to Create a Sample Preparation Strategy for Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) or ICP-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Analysis. Spectroscopy 2022, 37 (1), 38–42. https://doi.org/10.56530/spectroscopy.zs7576k7.

10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.56530/SPECTROSCOPY for Spectroscopy Magazine.