How FTIR Can be Used in Pharmaceutical Formulations Research?

IR spectroscopy is a useful tool for group chemical species identification of a wide variety of sample materials, particularly for the classification of "organic" chemical materials based upon carbon atoms being present in the molecular structure.  A sample can exist in solid, liquid and gaseous states and be analyzed by IR spectroscopy from the radiant light interaction with the sample as a transmission technique. (Light passes through the bulk of the sample for a certain pathlength). Reflectance IR spectroscopy techniques can be used for specific sample types, but only in their solid or liquid states at particular pressure and temperature conditions.

A classic sampling technique for the study of solid sample types by IR transmission spectroscopy is to prepare the solid sample as a potassium bromide (KBr) disc or pellet to mount appropriately and correctly within the sampling area of an infrared spectrometer. This application shows how a few examples of pharmaceutical formulations as tablets/pills and capsules can be prepared to form both 7mm and 13mm diameter pellets from a "common" concentration of pre-ground mixture of sample with KBr. Subsequent IR transmission spectra were taken of both the 7mm and 13mm KBr sample pellets produced for comparison.

For this study the Specac Basic Solid Pack (p/n GS01150) for the 7mm diameter size pellets and the 13mm Evaluable Pellet Die (p/n GS01150) with a 15Ton Manual Hydraulic Press (p/n GS15011) for the 13mm diameter size pellets were used. Instructions for identification and use of this equipment were followed as provided with the equipment itself.

The below video explains how easy to use Specac's products:

The samples prepared as both 7mm and 13mm KBr pellets were subsequently analyzed to produce an IR transmission spectrum for each sample using ACTTR IR spectrometer. Some examples are listed in the below table.

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