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Recommended Sampling Procedures
For cleaning and sample handling instructions please consult the Quest
Manual.
1.4 Volatiles Cover
For liquid samples, a volatiles cover is provided to minimise or eliminate
sample evaporation. When not using the volatiles cover, please be aware
that over time your sample may evaporate and result in concentration
increases.
1.5 Background Spectrum
For best results, a background spectrum should be recorded at the same
temperature as the sample collection temperature. For the ZnSe puck if the
background is recorded at a different temperature some baseline shifting
maybe observed. For the diamond puck, a significant difference in
temperature between background and sample will result in the appearance
of peaks in the region 2700-1600 cm-1 due to a strong temperature
dependence of the diamond phonon modes.
The changes in the diamond phonon can also be dealt with by subtraction
of blank spectra recorded under the same conditions. (i.e., if you record a
sample spectrum at 100 °C with a background recorded at 20 °C the
phonon changes can be removed by subtraction of a blank spectrum of the
puck recorded at 100 °C with a 20 °C background).
Care must be taken to avoid assigning phonon changes to your sample!
Depending on experimental requirements it may not always be possible to
record a background immediately before your sample test. Consult your
spectrometer provider for the best way to achieve this with their software.
1.6 Best Practice for recording an FTIR spectrum with the
Heated Puck
Depending on your exact experimental requirements this procedure may
need to be varied. For best results set your puck to the desired temperature