Analyzing Various Plastics - Benefits of Bundled KnowItAll® Software

Significance of the Topic

Plastic pollution and the emergence of microplastics have created an urgent need for reliable methods to identify polymer types and assess material degradation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, combined with powerful database software, offers a streamlined approach to characterize various plastics without extensive sample preparation.

Study Objectives and Overview

This application note illustrates how Shimadzu’s IRXross FTIR system with a QATR 10 ATR accessory and infrared/Raman microscopes integrate seamlessly with John Wiley & Sons’ KnowItAll software bundle. The primary goal is to demonstrate efficient spectral searching, mixture analysis, and functional group assignment for both microplastics and recycled PC/ABS blends.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Instrumentation used:

• FTIR spectrophotometer: Shimadzu IRXross
• ATR accessory: QATR 10 single-reflection diamond ATR
• Software: Shimadzu LabSolutions IR or AMsolution integrated with KnowItAll bundle

Measurement parameters:

• Resolution: 4 cm⁻¹
• Number of scans: 45
• Apodization function: Square triangle
• Detector: DLATGS

Spectral data are automatically transferred from the FTIR control software to KnowItAll for immediate analysis.

Main Results and Discussion

• Microplastics analysis: A standard library search identified the sample as polypropylene (PP). Additional unexpected peaks at 3600–3100 cm⁻¹, ~1700 cm⁻¹, and 1300–1000 cm⁻¹ were assigned to O–H, C=O, and C–O groups using the AnalyzeIt module, indicating UV-induced degradation. Matching against a specialized UV-degraded plastics library confirmed PP degradation after 150 hours of UV exposure.
• Recycled PC/ABS analysis: Utilizing the ID Expert module, a multi-component search produced composite and residual spectra for polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Optimal spectral fitting estimated a PC/ABS ratio of 0.38:0.62. The software also automatically flagged noise and atmospheric contaminants.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Enables rapid polymer identification and detection of degradation products without solvents or derivatization.
• Supports quality control in recycling plants by quantifying component ratios in blended plastics.
• Aids environmental monitoring by pinpointing functional groups linked to microplastic weathering.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

• Expansion of spectral libraries to encompass additional plastic types, additives, and degradation modes.
• Closer integration with Raman microscopy for comprehensive structural analysis.
• Automation of high-throughput screening workflows for environmental and industrial surveillance of plastic pollution.

Conclusion

The combination of FTIR spectroscopy and the KnowItAll software bundle streamlines plastic analysis by merging rapid spectral acquisition with advanced database search, mixture deconvolution, and functional group assignment. This integrated approach enhances accuracy and efficiency in both research environments and industrial QA/QC laboratories.