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Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advances in Nanoscale Infrared Spectroscopy to Explore Multiphase Polymeric Systems
Published on: June 23, 2023
Fingerprints of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in infrared absorption spectroscopy
Matteo Tommasini1, Andrea Lucotti1, Michela Alfè2
1Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica - Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32 - 20133 Milano, Italy.
Abstract:
We have analyzed a set of 51 PAHs whose structures have been hypothesized from mass spectrometry data collected on samples extracted from carbon particles of combustion origin. We have obtained relationships between infrared absorption signals in the fingerprint region (mid-IR) and the chemical structures of PAHs, thus proving the potential of IR spectroscopy for the characterization of the molecular structure of aromatic combustion products. The results obtained here for the spectroscopic characterization of PAHs can be also of interest in Materials Science and Astrophysics.
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