Optimisation of a Non-Destructive Analytical Platform for the Characterization of Functional Groups: from Novel Self-Healing Materials to Jurassic Dinosaur Bone Cells (FWOKN289)

Through the recent acquisition of a state of the art µXRF instrument (Hercules 2014) together with the ongoing purchase of a unique FTIR microscope with mapping and imaging abilities (Hercules 2016), AMGC’s non-destructive analytical platform keeps on growing. However, several additional parts are required for the new FTIR microscope to operate non-destructively. Indeed, traditionally, the FTIR microscope works in a transmission mode that requires very thin or transparent material for the infrared light to pass through it. It can also work in absorbance mode on polished and reflective surfaces. In both cases, the samples need to be either cut to make thin section, or polished. This is not an option for precious museum pieces, archaeological and palaeontological remains, or when the surface of materials has to be characterized directly. The latter is, for example, the case of self-healing coatings used to protect metallic structures of cars. Fortunately, the attenuated total reflectance (ATR) mode can also be used. Here, a crystal enters in contact with the sample allowing direct analysis of its surface without damaging it. However, this mode requires the addition of ATR crystal objectives to the microscope. This research grant proposes to acquire two ATR crystal objectives and an adequate pre-cleaning devise to develop and optimize non-destructive measurement methods for a wide range of samples such as irreplaceable palaeontological remains as well as self-healing materials.

Keywords:Chemistry

Disciplines:Veterinary physiology, pathophysiology and biochemistry