Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR)

STA 319 Jupiter® Coupled to Bruker's INVENIO via Transfer Line

The Perfect STA-FT-IR Coupling Solution 

Highlights

Thermal Analysis Plus FT-IR - More Than Just the Sum of Its Parts

The NETZSCH STA 319 Jupiter® with FT-IR coupling combines simultaneous thermal analysis — TGA and DSC signals from one and the same sample — with advanced gas phase detection via FT-IR spectroscopy. This powerful setup enables a deeper understanding of decomposition, oxidation, phase transitions, and other thermal processes by correlating mass changes and thermal effects with the identification of gases evolved upon heating.

With its robust, water-cooled ceramic furnace, advanced top-loading microbalance, and vacuum-tight design, the STA 319 Jupiter® provides reliable measurements under defined atmospheric conditions. When combined with a heated transfer line, evolved gases can be transferred safely and efficiently from the furnace outlet to the FT-IR gas cell, supporting accurate and condensation-free gas analysis, even for reactive or condensable species.

Coupled with the Bruker INVENIO FT-IR platform, the system delivers high spectral resolution and sensitivity across a broad range of applications, including polymers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, life science materials, and inorganics. The seamless integration of NETZSCH Proteus® and Bruker OPUS software ensures synchronized data acquisition, allowing users to directly correlate TGA and DSC events with specific gas species and reaction mechanisms.

This modular STA solution opens new possibilities in simultaneous thermal analysis and hyphenated techniques. By combining thermal effects, mass changes, and evolved gas analysis in one workflow, the STA 319 Jupiter® provides comprehensive insights into material behavior — from routine quality control to advanced R&D applications.

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 vibration. 

DSC heat-flow curve (blue) contrasts with temperature (red) trends, illustrating thermal analysis results over time.
NETZSCH Tech Talk features innovative thermal analysis solutions, including Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Dynamic-Mechanical Analysis. Join experts on December 5, 2023, to explore advancements in materials characterization.
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Absorbance spectrum graph displaying peaks between 1000 cm⁻¹ and 4000 cm⁻¹, illustrating material analysis data.

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 blue and green shapes with the tagline "Cooperation since 1993," symbolizing innovation and collaboration.

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 
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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

Acessories

The automatic sample changer (ASC) similarly handles routine measurements in quality control as well as requirements for research and development. It works around the clock to free your time for other challenges and allows you to make optimal use of the coupling even during the weekend. Of course, each sample can be assigned a different measurement and evaluation program. Easy-to-understand input fields lead you through the programming of a series of measurements. Unplanned analyses can also be inserted into a pre-programmed series of measurements already in progress.

High-precision lab equipment with a touchscreen interface, designed for materials testing and analysis.

Find out even more about the Transfer Line Coupling

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Excelência comprovada em serviços

Na NETZSCH Analyzing & Testing, oferecemos uma ampla gama de serviços em todo o mundo para garantir o desempenho ideal e a longevidade de seu equipamento termoanalítico. Com um histórico de excelência comprovada, nossos serviços são projetados para maximizar a eficácia de seus dispositivos, estender sua vida útil e minimizar o tempo de inatividade.

Libere todo o potencial de seu equipamento com nossas soluções personalizadas, respaldadas por anos de experiência e inovação no setor.

Software

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

3-D analysis view in OPUS software displaying straw pyrolysis test results, including TGA curve and spectrum plots.
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 plot displaying TGA, DTG, and Gram-Schmidt curves with methane, water, and carbon monoxide traces.
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 and measurement definition for STA and FT-IR, with thermal analysis parameters 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 (STA and FT-IR) with identical file names, but different extensions, in the same directories
  • Conjoint presentation of the Gram-Schmidt plot plus up to 30 pre-selected traces together with TGA and DSC curves in Proteus®® software during the experiment
  • Online evaluation  of STA measurements, including TGA, DSC and FT-IR data, already during the running 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 libraries, e.g., the TGA-FT-IR library of polymers by NETZSCH

Related Devices

  • PERSEUS® TG 309 Libra® com acoplamento direto
    • Não é necessário nitrogênio líquido
    • Sem linha de transferência separada
    • Design que economiza espaço
    • Fácil operação com trocador automático de amostras
    • Análise de gás evoluído até a temperatura da amostra de 1100°C
    • Alto rendimento da amostra devido ao large ASC e ao resfriamento rápido do forno
    • Integração perfeita dos softwares Proteus® e OPUS
  • PERSEUS® STA 509 Jupiter® com acoplamento direto
    • Não há necessidade de uma linha de transferência externa ou adaptador de acoplamento
    • Detecção simultânea de alterações de massa, espécies de gás e sinais de DSC
    • Temperaturas de amostra de até 2000°C
    • Mínima ocupação de espaço com o Bruker Alpha II integrado
    • Integração perfeita dos softwares Proteus® e OPUS

  • STA 509 Jupiter® Acoplado ao INVENIO da Bruker via linha de transferência
    • Transporte otimizado de gás através da linha de transferência aquecida
    • Análise de gás evoluído em temperaturas de até 2000°C
    • Suporta sinais de TGA e DSC para análise aprofundada
    • Máxima flexibilidade no posicionamento do instrumento
    • Ideal para ambientes de pesquisa e multiusuários
    • Integração perfeita dos softwares Proteus® e OPUS

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