Internal Reflectance Spectroscopy II: Quantitative Analysis Aspects

Abstract

Internal reflection spectroscopy (also known as attenuated total reflection—ATR) has been applied primarily as a qualitative tool. As equipment for making internal reflection measurements improves and as the phenomenon is more clearly understood, its use for quantitative analysis is becoming more feasible. Katlafsky and Keller have demonstrated its accuracy for sampling strongly absorbing liquids and Medick has discussed its use in the quantitative analysis of adhesives and films. Chan and Hawkins have used internal reflection spectroscopy to obtain quantitative data on the degradation of plastic surfaces. Much unpublished work has been done in the measurement of coating thickness, in some cases quantitative studies have been made on multilayer systems. Wilks has described techniques for making quantitative measurements on mixed textile fabrics, while McCall et al. have discussed quantitative measurements of coatings and chemical treatments on cotton fibers.