NEAFS: Portable and Handheld FTIR

Significance of the Topic

Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy traditionally requires laboratory instruments and expertise, which limits rapid decision making in field and forensic settings. Portable and handheld FTIR analyzers address this gap by delivering near–real-time chemical identification on-site, reducing evidence turnaround time, guiding first responders and investigators, and supporting quality control across industries.

Objectives and Overview of the Study

This application note examines Agilent’s At-Site FTIR portfolio, including the 4300 Handheld FTIR, 4500 Portable FTIR, and the Cary 630 with SurveyIR microscope accessory. Key objectives are to show how these systems perform qualitative identification of unknown solids and mixtures, quantitative screening of phthalates in polymers, automated detection of illicit drugs, and microanalysis of fibers, paints, and small particulates.

Methodology

Field analyses rely on attenuated total reflectance (ATR), diffuse reflectance, transmission, and reflection sampling modes. Guided user interfaces streamline sampling workflows and library searches. Mixture analysis uses iterative spectral subtraction. Quantitative screening of phthalates in PVC employs diamond ATR with three-bounce crystals, calibrated across low (0–3 %) and high (3–30 %) concentration ranges. The automated drug-screening method leverages characteristic cocaine peaks and conditional logic for likelihood reporting.

Used Instrumentation

• Agilent 4300 Handheld FTIR: 4.8 lb, built-in PC, hot-swap batteries, multiple ATR and reflectance interfaces.
• Agilent 4500 Portable FTIR: 15 lb, internal battery, USB connection to tablets/laptops, dedicated diamond ATR interface.
• Cary 630 FTIR with SurveyIR microscope: 5 MP color camera, video-guided eSpot software, manual focus, transmission/reflection/ATR modes, sample masks down to 60 μm.

Main Results and Discussion

• Illicit drug identification: Street drug spectra matched against a forensic library; residual searches revealed multi-component mixtures (e.g., cocaine with adulterants) and improved match quality.
• Phthalate screening: Rapid, non-destructive quantitation in PVC with LOQ of 0.1 % total phthalates. Calibration curves achieved R² > 0.99 and SECV < 1 % across multiple instruments.
• Microanalysis: SurveyIR accessory enabled clear visualization and IR spectra of fibers (Nylon, Kevlar, PET) and paint chips using oblique and transmitted illumination with apertures down to 60 μm.
• Real-world case studies: Handheld FTIR aided in forensic collision analysis by identifying polymer transfer between vehicles; phthalate absence confirmed in toy materials; on-site drug screening provided rapid actionable results.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Immediate field decisions: Probable cause establishment, seizure guidance, decontamination confirmation.
• Chain-of-custody reduction: Minimized sample transport and audit trails.
• Broad forensic support: Identification of white powders, explosives, industrial toxins, and pharmaceuticals.
• Industrial and regulatory screening: Rapid QA/QC of PVC products, compliance with phthalate restrictions.
• Enhanced laboratory efficiency: Pre-screening reduces costly GC-MS analyses to only critical samples.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

As portable FTIR instruments become lighter, more sensitive, and integrated with cloud libraries and AI-driven spectral deconvolution, their use will expand to environmental monitoring, food safety, and in-process industrial control. Advances in quantum cascade light sources and miniaturized detectors will further improve detection limits and spectral coverage. Mobile-device connectivity and automated reporting algorithms will enable non-expert users to perform complex analyses in remote or resource-limited settings.

Conclusion

Agilent’s portable and handheld FTIR solutions provide robust, versatile, and user-friendly platforms for in-field chemical identification and quantitation. By combining multiple sampling modes, guided interfaces, and powerful libraries, these systems deliver reliable real-time results, streamline forensic workflows, and reduce dependence on centralized laboratories.

References

No formal references were provided in the source document.