Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy for the Determination of Asbestos Species in Bulk Building Materials

Abstract

Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy is a well-known technique for thin film characterization. Since all asbestos species exhibit intense adsorptions peaks in the 4000–400 cm−1 region of the infrared spectrum, a quantitative analysis of asbestos in bulk samples by DRIFT is possible. In this work, different quantitative analytical procedures have been used to quantify chrysotile content in bulk materials produced by building requalification: partial least squares (PLS) chemometrics, the Linear Calibration Curve Method (LCM) and the Method of Additions (MoA). Each method has its own pros and cons, but all give affordable results for material characterization: the amount of asbestos (around 10%, weight by weight) can be determined with precision and accuracy (errors less than 0.1).

Nondestructive Handheld Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Analysis of Spectroscopic Changes and Multivariate Modeling of Thermally Degraded Plain Portland Cement Concrete and its Slag and Fly Ash-Based Analogs

“…An Agilent Technologies 4300 Handheld FT-IR spectrometer, 21 with a diffuse reflectance sample interface, was used to acquire all the infrared spectra from the samples. 24 The diffuse reflectance sample interface imparts the infrared beam normal to the sample and collects the diffusely reflected light at a range of angles from 24 to 60° from normal. The spectra were acquired by co-adding 128 scans for both the background and the sample at 8 cm –1 resolution using Happ–Genzel apodization.…”

“…The admixture employed was a modern polycarboxylic ether-based super plasticiser [23] that reduces the water demand without detrimentally affecting the final material properties. Batches were mixed according to Table I [21] with a diffuse reflectance sample interface was used to acquire all the infrared spectra from the samples [24]. The diffuse reflectance sample interface imparts the infrared beam normal to the sample and collects the diffusely reflected light at a range of angles from 24 to 60 degrees from normal.…”

Effect of Ultrafine Additives on the Morphology of Cement Hydration Products

“…SEM revealed ettringite, calcium monosulfoaluminate hydrate, fibers of C-S-H gel, and spherical formations with a size of~100 nm. The spherical hydration products can be attributed to the thaumasite formations (TFs) (3CaO•SiO 2 •CO 2 •SO 3 ), which can be obtained through the reaction of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) with calcite and unbound sulfate ions or, in case of the reaction between ettringite and C-S-H, with carbonates/bicarbonates [48][49][50][51]. In order to obtain the elemental analysis of the observed spherical hydration products, EDX analysis was performed (Figure 8b).…”

Bioassay-coupled Chromatographic Analysis of Medicinal Natural Products: A Review

“…58 Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy is also a well-known technique for characterization. 59 It has found some application in natural product research 60 and has been coupled with chromatography. 61,62 Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) has also been coupled with chromatography 63 and could find some applications in natural product research.…”