Imaging and identification of common cotton contaminants using an IR microscope equipped with a Focal Plane Array detector.

Authors: Santiago Cintron, Michael; Rodgers Iii, James

Submitted to: American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists Journal of Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/17/2017
Publication Date: 11/1/2017
Citation: Santiago Cintron, M., Rodgers III, J.E. 2017. Identification of common cotton contaminants using an FTIR microscope with a Focal Plane Array detector.. American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists Journal of Research. 4(6):12-17. https://doi.org/10.14504/ajr.4.6.3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14504/ajr.4.6.3

Interpretive Summary: In this study, an infrared microscope couple to a powerful detector array (Focal Plane Array -FPA) was used for the identification of common cotton contaminants. The detector provides highly sensitive data in two dimensions; this capability allows sampling of very small samples (e.g., single fibers, small specks), and imaging the samples in two dimensions. Five cases of contaminant identification are presented; in each case, examination with a standard infrared spectrometer did not provide conlcusive determinations. Data was easily obtained with the infrared microscope. While small deviations were observed, comparison to reference spectra allowed easy contaminant identification. The proof-of-concept study indicates that the infrared-array detector system used in this study can be particularly useful for identifying minute contaminants. Spatial resolution of the system also allowed for the chemical imaging of samples.

Technical Abstract: In this study, an FTIR microscope equipped with Focal Plane Array detector (FPA) was used for the identification of common cotton contaminants. The detector provides highly sensitive and spatially resolved spectra that allows sampling of microscopic samples (e.g., single fibers, small specks), and the chemical imaging of samples. Five cases of contaminant identification are presented herein; in each case, examination with a FTIR spectrometer and a reflection accessory provided inconclusive determinations. Spectra of contaminants were easily obtained with the FTIR microscope. While small deviations were observed, comparison to reference spectra allowed easy contaminant identification. The proof-of-concept study indicates that the FTIR FPA microscope can be particularly useful for identifying minute contaminants. Spatial resolution of the system also allowed for the chemical imaging of samples.