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Troubleshooting

Problem: My spectrum is too strong (peaks are off scale or have "flat tops").

An example of a sample spectrum that is too concentrated

  • your sample is likely too concentrated. Try
     
    1. thin film - decreasing the thickness of the film by removing liquid from the salt plate with a Kimwipe
    2. KBr disk - decreasing the amount of solid powder that is mixed in with the KBr (you will have to press a new disk)
    3. cast film - allowing a more dilute solution of the sample to evaporate on its surface
    4. Nujol mull - if the spectrum looks like the above, the mull is too thick - separating the plates, wiping one clean and pressing the plates back together usually reduces the mull thickness; sometimes, decreasing the amount of powder in the mull (or adding more Nujol oil to the existing sample) will also be necessary
    5. solution - decreasing the concentration of the solution (i.e., add more solvent)

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Last modified: Monday, February 28, 2011
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