Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR)

STA 509 Jupiter® Coupled to Bruker's INVENIO via Transfer Line

The Revolution in STA-FT-IR Coupling 

Highlights

Seamless STA-FT-IR Coupling for Advanced Gas Analysis

The PERSEUS® STA 509 Jupiter® with transfer line coupling combines simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) with advanced gas phase detection via FT-IR spectroscopy. This powerful configuration provides comprehensive insight into thermal decomposition, OxidationOxidation kann im Zusammenhang mit thermischer Analyse verschiedene Vorgänge bezeichnen.oxidation, and chemical reactions by enabling the identification of evolved gases throughout the heating process.

Equipped with a heated transfer line, the system offers maximum flexibility in laboratory layout, allowing the Bruker FT-IR spectrometer to be positioned independently from the STA instrument. All components of the gas path – from the STA furnace to the FT-IR gas cell – are temperature-controlled, ensuring that even condensable or reactive gases are transported accurately and without loss.

In combination with the high-performance Bruker INVENIO FT-IR platform, the system offers excellent spectral resolution and sensitivity across a broad range of applications, from polymers and composites to chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and inorganic materials. The full integration of NETZSCH Proteus® and Bruker OPUS software ensures synchronized data acquisition, making it possible to correlate mass changes and calorimetric events with specific gaseous decomposition products.

Existing NETZSCH STA 509 Jupiter® systems can be upgraded with the transfer line coupling, offering a flexible and future-proof solution for advanced materials analysis.

Method

Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectrometers Coupled to Thermal Analysis

Thermal analysis provides ideal tools for the characterization of a variety  of organic and inorganic solids and liquids. Thermodynamic transitions, thermal stability, decomposition, and chemical reactions can be detected and quantified with high accuracy over a broad temperature range.

In some cases, however, information about the type of evolved gases is needed to gain a clearer understanding of the chemistry behind the processes. Coupling  thermal analysis with powerful infrared spectroscopy for gas analysis bridges this gap. It allows for a deeper insight into the material’s behavior and provides a spectral fingerprint of the gases evolved from the sample when heated.

The Proteus® software for thermal analysis and the OPUS software for FT-IR measurements are seamlessly integrated to enable efficient Thermal Analysis-to-FT-IR coupling. The temperature and time correlations of all experimental data are carefully preserved throughout the process.

Infrared spectroscopy

Infrared spectroscopy is a classical technique based on the absorption of infrared radiation by molecular bond vibrations. This absorption occurs when bonds vibrate in specific ways. However, only those vibrations that cause a change in dipole moment can interact with IR light. This is why most substances produce a characteristic spectrum, while homonuclear molecules — such as O₂ and N₂ — or noble gases do not show fundamental IR absorption bands, due to the absence of dipole moment changes during VibrationEin mechanischer Schwingungsprozess wird als Vibration bezeichnet. Vibration ist ein mechanisches Phänomen, bei dem Schwingungen um einen Gleichgewichtspunkt auftreten. In vielen Fällen sind Schwingungen unerwünscht, verschwenden Energie und erzeugen ungewollte Geräusche.vibration

DSC curves for PA12 powder crystallization at temperatures from 162°C to 168°C, indicating thermal behaviors across time.
Diagram illustrating a basic interferometry setup with labeled components: fixed mirror, moving mirror, beam splitter, light source, sample, and detector.
Interferogram graph displaying detector intensity versus mirror displacement, highlighting a prominent peak in the data.
Absorbance spectrum graph displaying peaks at specific wavenumbers, highlighting measurement data for analysis in research.

Working principle of a FT-IR spectrometer 

An infrared light beam, depicted in the diagram as coming from the source on the right, is split into two paths by a beam splitter. One path is directed toward a fixed mirror and reflected, while the other is reflected by a moving mirror.

After reflection, the two beams are recombined and interfere with each other. The resulting interference pattern depends on the distance between the two mirrors — which changes as the moving mirror shifts position — and the frequencies present in the beam.

This process generates an interferogram, a signal typically characterized by a central burst and flat wings. The central burst occurs when both mirrors are equidistant from the beam splitter, allowing all frequencies to interfere constructively.

Finally, the interferogram is mathematically transformed into a spectrum using a Fourier Transform, revealing the sample’s infrared absorption characteristics.

NETZSCH Bruker logo featuring a modern, overlapping design in green and blue, emphasizing "Cooperation since 1993.

Over 30 Years of Successful Cooperation

For over 30 years, NETZSCH and Bruker have collaborated to provide integrated solutions for thermal analysis and gas analysis. This longstanding partnership combines NETZSCH's expertise in thermal analysis with Bruker's leadership in FT-IR technology, offering customers reliable, high-quality systems tailored to their needs. Together, we deliver innovative, user-friendly solutions from a single source, ensuring seamless operation and exceptional support.

Advantages of our Cooperation at a Glance:

  • Seamless integration: Optimized coupling of NETZSCH thermal analyzers with Bruker FT-IR spectrometers for reliable and efficient evolved gas analysis.
  • Proven expertise: Decades of joint experience ensure high-quality, innovative solutions tailored to customer needs.
  • Single-source convenience: Fully compatible systems with comprehensive support from both partners.
  • Enhanced performance: Precise coordination of instruments delivers accurate and reproducible results.
  • Continuous innovation: Collaboration fosters the development of cutting-edge technologies and features for advanced analysis.
  • Effortless Compatibility with Bruker's OPUS Software: At NETZSCH, we offer seamless compatibility with Bruker’s OPUS software, allowing for a smooth workflow between both systems. This ensures an integrated and efficient experience, making the most out of both instruments.

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Learn, how Bruker Optics and NETZSCH Analyzing & Testing have been collaborating since 30 years and how the FT-IR technique help solving your challenges.

Specifications

Gas cell volume and length
11.8 ml/123 mm
Temperature of transfer line
max. 400°C
Detector
DLaTGS or MCT 
Advanced analytical equipment featuring a sleek design, ideal for material testing and analysis in research laboratories.

Wave number range:
FT-IR: 8000 cm-1 to 340 cm-1
Coupling: 4400 cm-1 to 600 cm-1

Resolution:
better than 0.4 cm-1

Furnace adaptor:
max. 400°C

Transfer line material:
Stainless steel (exchangeable)

Window material gas cell:
KBr

Find out even more about the Transfer Line Coupling

Customer support representative at a computer, smiling and engaged, highlighting NETZSCH's commitment to service excellence.

Proven Excellence im Service

NETZSCH Analysieren & Prüfen bietet Ihnen weltweit ein umfassendes Angebot an Services, um die optimale Leistung und Langlebigkeit Ihrer thermoanalytischen Geräte zu gewährleisten. Wir helfen Ihnen dabei, die Effektivität Ihrer Geräte zu maximieren, ihre Lebensdauer zu verlängern und Ausfallzeiten zu minimieren. 

Schöpfen Sie das volle Potenzial Ihrer Geräte mit unseren maßgeschneiderten Lösungen aus, die auf jahrelanger Branchenerfahrung und Innovation beruhen.

Software

Bruker OPUS and NETZSCH Proteus® – Unrivaled Combination for Maximum Ease of Use 

3D visualization of straw pyrolysis test results in OPUS software, featuring thermal analysis curves and spectrum data.
Screenshot of the OPUS software during evaluation of a straw pyrolysis test: Multi-window presentation containing a 3-D diagram (x-y-z view, including TGA curve and temperature information from the thermal analysis system), a 2-D plot (topview on the 3-D cube) and a spectrum window, representing the spectrum at the position of the red line within the 3-D diagram
Temperature-scaled TGA and DTG curves with Gram-Schmidt plot, detailing absorption intensities of methane, water, and carbon monoxide.
Screenshot of the Proteus® software during evaluation of the same straw experiment: Temperature-scaled plot of the TGA and DTG curves together with the Gram-Schmidt plot and the calculated traces of methane, water and carbon monoxide (course of the absorption intensity of a specific band)

The alliance between the NETZSCH Proteus® software and the OPUS FT-IR software is based on synchronized data exchange, enabling coordinated operation of the coupled systems. Measurements are started via the NETZSCH Proteus® software, which simultaneously triggers data acquisition in OPUS. Users only need to input the command for measurement start and data acquisition once; both OPUS and Proteus® will then operate with the predefined parameters. Online data collection is fully synchronized, ensuring precise time and temperature correlation between all signals from the two coupled instruments during evaluation. The two software packages can be operated from a single computer, giving users access to the full range of data evaluation and results display options in either environment at any time.

Find out even more about the software:

  • Full software integration – online data exchange between the two instrument software packages during the running experiment
  • Seamless instrument control, measurement definition for TGA and FT-IR entirely controlled by Proteus® software  
  • Segmental activation or deactivation of the FT-IR coupling with one mouse click
  • Automatic saving of data sets for both measurements (TGA and FT-IR) with identical file names (but different extensions) in the same directories
  • Measurements with automatic sample changer allow for individual FT-IR measurement parameter for each position
  • Conjoint presentation of the Gram-Schmidt plot plus up to 30 pre-selected traces together with thermal analysis curves in Proteus® software during the experiment
  • Online evaluation (SNAP SHOT) of TGA/STA/DSC measurements already including FT-IR data during the measurement
  • Trace calculations with evaluation of characteristic temperatures and peak areas together with TGA and DSC curves
  • Combined analysis graphics of thermal analysis and FT-IR signals
  • Multi-component search in OPUS
  • Identification by various gas phase librarys, e.g. TGA-FT-IR library of polymers by NETZSCH

Related Devices

  • PERSEUS® TG 309 Libra® with Direct Coupling
    • No liquid nitrogen required
    • No separate transfer line
    • Space saving design
    • Easy operation with automatic sample changer
    • Evolved gas analysis up to sample temperature of 1100°C
    • High sample thoughput due to large ASC and fast furnace cooling
    • Seamless integration of Proteus® and OPUS software
  • PERSEUS® STA 509 Jupiter® with Direct Coupling
    • No need for an external transfer line or coupling adapter
    • Simultaneous detection of mass changes, gas species, and DSC signals
    • Sample temperatures up to 2000°C
    • Minimal footprint with integrated Bruker Alpha II
    • Seamless integration of Proteus® and OPUS software

     

  • TG 309 Libra® Coupled to Bruker's INVENIO via Transfer Line
    • Heated transfer line ensures condensation-free gas transport
    • Flexible system layout – ideal for various lab configurations
    • Evolved gas analysis up to sample temperature of 1100°C
    • High sample thoughput due to large ASC and fast furnace cooling
    • Seamless integration of Proteus® and OPUS software

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