Orientational Mapping Augmented Sub-Wavelength Hyper-Spectral Imaging of Silk

Effects of Polarizer-Analyzer Configurations for FTIR Spectroscopy: Implications for Multiple Polarization Algorithms

Polarized Fourier transform infrared (p-FTIR) spectroscopy is a widely used technique for determining orientational information in thin organic materials. Conventionally, a single polarizer is placed in the path of the incident light (termed the polarizer). Occasionally, a second polarizer is also placed after the sample (referred to as the analyzer). However, this polarizer-analyzer configuration has the potential to induce polarization-dependent variances in the final spectra beyond those that are expected, i.e., the squared-cosine relationship of absorptance with respect to polarization angle is no longer accurate. These variances are due to changes in the polarization state of the transmitted light induced by the sample and have yet to be explored in the context of p-FTIR. Consequently, this study employs both theoretical and experimental approaches to identify the effects of including a second polarizer in p-FTIR analyses of anisotropic organic samples. For thin samples, the most significant spectral variance arising from only birefringence is observed on the shoulders of the dichroic peaks. By adopting a crossed polarizer configuration, it is shown that there is potential to identify anisotropy of samples that are generally considered too thick for p-FTIR analysis by exploiting this feature. Furthermore, the squared-cosine relationship of absorptance with respect to the polarization angle is also shown to be inapplicable when a second parallel-oriented polarizer is included. Accordingly, a function that accounts for the second polarizer is proposed for multiple polarization techniques.

Structural and Thermal Diffusivity Analysis of an Organoferroelastic Crystal Showing Scissor-Like Two-Directional Deformation Induced by Uniaxial Compression

A two-directional ferroelastic deformation in organic crystals is unprecedented owing to its anisotropic crystal packing, in contrast to isotropic symmetrical packing in inorganic compounds and polymers. Thereby, finding and constructing multidirectional ferroelastic deformations in organic compounds is undoubtedly complex and at once calls for deep comprehension. Herein, we demonstrate the first example of a two-directional ferroelastic deformation with a unique scissor-like movement in single crystals of trans-3-hexenedioic acid by the application of uniaxial compression stress. A detailed structural investigation of the mechanical deformation at the macroscopic and microscopic levels by three distinct force measurement techniques (including shear and three-point bending test), single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques, and polarized synchrotron-FTIR microspectroscopy highlighted that mechanical twinning promoted the deformation. The presence of two crystallographically equivalent faces and the herringbone arrangement promoted the two-directional ferroelastic deformation. In addition, anisotropic heat transfer properties in the parent and the deformed domains were investigated by thermal diffusivity measurement on all three axes using microscale temperature-wave analysis (μ-TWA). A correlation between the anisotropic structural arrangement and the difference in thermal diffusivity and mechanical behavior in the two-directional organoferroelastic deformation could be established. The structural and molecular level information from this two-directional ferroelastic deformation would lead to a more profound understanding of the structure-property relationship in multidirectional deformation in organic crystals.

Scattering correction for samples with cylindrical domains measured with polarized infrared spectroscopy

Scattering artifacts are one of the most common effects distorting transmission spectra in Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy. Their increased impact, strongly diminishing the quantitative and qualitative power of IR spectroscopy, is especially observed for structures with a size comparable to the radiation wavelength. To tackle this problem, a wide range of preprocessing techniques based on the Extended Multiplicative Scattering Correction method was developed, using physical properties to remove scattering presence in the spectra. However, until recently those algorithms were mostly focused on spherically shaped samples, for example, cells. Here, an algorithm for samples with cylindrical domains is described, with additional implementation of a linearly polarized light case, which is crucial for the growing field of polarized IR imaging and spectroscopy. An open-source code with GPU based implementation is provided, with a calculation time of several seconds per spectrum. Optimizations done to improve the throughput of this algorithm allow the application of this method into the standard preprocessing pipeline of small datasets.

Linearly Polarized Infrared Spectroscopy for the Analysis of Biological Materials

The analysis of biological samples with polarized infrared spectroscopy (p-IR) has long been a widely practiced method for the determination of sample orientation and structural properties. In contrast to earlier works, which employed this method to investigate the fundamental chemistry of biological systems, recent interests are moving toward "real-world" applications for the evaluation and diagnosis of pathological states. This focal point review provides an up-to-date synopsis of the knowledge of biological materials garnered through linearly p-IR on biomolecules, cells, and tissues. An overview of the theory with special consideration to biological samples is provided. Different modalities which can be employed along with their capabilities and limitations are outlined. Furthermore, an in-depth discussion of factors regarding sample preparation, sample properties, and instrumentation, which can affect p-IR analysis is provided. Additionally, attention is drawn to the potential impacts of analysis of biological samples with inherently polarized light sources, such as synchrotron light and quantum cascade lasers. The vast applications of p-IR for the determination of the structure and orientation of biological samples are given. In conclusion, with considerations to emerging instrumentation, findings by other techniques, and the shift of focus toward clinical applications, we speculate on the future directions of this methodology.

Structure and Optical Anisotropy of Spider Scales and Silk: The Use of Chromaticity and Azimuth Colors to Optically Characterize Complex Biological Structures

Herein, we give an overview of several less explored structural and optical characterization techniques useful for biomaterials. New insights into the structure of natural fibers such as spider silk can be gained with minimal sample preparation. Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) over a broad range of wavelengths (from X-ray to THz) provides information of the structure of the material at correspondingly different length scales (nm-to-mm). When the sample features, such as the alignment of certain fibers, cannot be characterized optically, polarization analysis of the optical images can provide further information on feature alignment. The 3D complexity of biological samples necessitates that there be feature measurements and characterization over a large range of length scales. We discuss the issue of characterizing complex shapes by analysis of the link between the color and structure of spider scales and silk. For example, it is shown that the green-blue color of a spider scale is dominated by the chitin slab's Fabry-Pérot-type reflectivity rather than the surface nanostructure. The use of a chromaticity plot simplifies complex spectra and enables quantification of the apparent colors. All the experimental data presented herein are used to support the discussion on the structure-color link in the characterization of materials.

Super-Resolved 3D Mapping of Molecular Orientation Using Vibrational Techniques

When a sample has an anisotropic structure, it is possible to obtain additional information controlling the polarization of incident light. With their straightforward instrumentation approaches, infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopies are widely popular in this area. Single-band-based determination of molecular in-plane orientation, typically used in materials science, is here extended by the concurrent use of two vibration bands, revealing the orientational ordering in three dimension. The concurrent analysis was applied to IR spectromicroscopic data to obtain orientation angles of a model polycaprolactone spherulite sample. The applicability of this method spans from high-resolution, diffraction-limited Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman imaging to super-resolved optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) imaging. Due to the nontomographic experimental approach, no image distortion is visible and nanometer scale orientation domains can be observed. Three-dimensional (3D) bond orientation maps enable in-depth characterization and consequently precise control of the sample’s physicochemical properties and functions.

Imaging 3D molecular orientation by orthogonal-pair polarization IR microscopy

Anisotropic molecular alignment occurs ubiquitously and often heterogeneously in three dimensions (3D). However, conventional imaging approaches based on polarization can map only molecular orientation projected onto the 2D polarization plane. Here, an algorithm converts conventional polarization-controlled infrared (IR) hyperspectral data into images of the 3D angles of molecular orientations. The polarization-analysis algorithm processes a pair of orthogonal IR transition-dipole modes concurrently; in contrast, conventional approaches consider individual IR modes separately. The orthogonal-pair polarization IR (OPPIR) method, introduced theoretically but never demonstrated experimentally, was used to map the 3D orientation angles and the order parameter of the local orientational distribution of polymer chains in a poly(ε-caprolactone) film. The OPPIR results show that polymer chains in the semicrystalline film are aligned azimuthally perpendicular to the radial direction of a spherulite and axially tilted from the film normal direction. This newly available information on the local alignments in continuously distributed molecules helps to understand the molecular-level structure of highly anisotropic and spatially heterogeneous materials.

"Wax On, Wax Off": In Vivo Imaging of Plant Physiology and Disease with Fourier Transform Infrared Reflectance Microspectroscopy

Analysis of the epicuticular wax layer on the surface of plant leaves can provide a unique window into plant physiology and responses to environmental stimuli. Well-established analytical methodologies can quantify epicuticular wax composition, yet few methods are capable of imaging wax distribution in situ or in vivo. Here, the first report of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) reflectance spectroscopic imaging as a non-destructive, in situ, method to investigate variation in epicuticular wax distribution at 25 µm spatial resolution is presented. The authors demonstrate in vivo imaging of alterations in epicuticular waxes during leaf development and in situ imaging during plant disease or exposure to environmental stressors. It is envisaged that this new analytical capability will enable in vivo studies of plants to provide insights into how the physiology of plants and crops respond to environmental stresses such as disease, soil contamination, drought, soil acidity, and climate change.

Exploiting spatio-spectral aberrations for rapid synchrotron infrared imaging

The Infrared Microspectroscopy Beamline at the Australian Synchrotron is equipped with a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, which is coupled with an infrared (IR) microscope and a choice of two detectors: a single-point narrow-band mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) detector and a 64 × 64 multi-pixel focal plane array (FPA) imaging detector. A scanning-based point-by-point mapping method is commonly used with a tightly focused synchrotron IR beam at the sample plane, using an MCT detector and a matching 36× IR reflecting objective and condenser (NA = 0.5), which is time consuming. In this study, the beam size at the sample plane was increased using a 15× objective and the spatio-spectral aberrations were investigated. A correlation-based semi-synthetic computational optical approach was applied to assess the possibilities of exploiting the aberrations to perform rapid imaging rather than a mapping approach.

Attenuated Total Reflection at THz Wavelengths: Prospective Use of Total Internal Reflection and Polariscopy

Capabilities of the attenuated total reflection (ATR) at THz wavelengths for increased sub-surface depth characterisation of (bio-)materials are presented. The penetration depth of a THz evanescent wave in biological samples is dependent on the wavelength and temperature and can reach 0.1–0.5 mm depth, due to the strong refractive index change ∼0.4 of the ice-water transition; this is quite significant and important when studying biological samples. Technical challenges are discussed when using ATR for uneven, heterogeneous, high refractive index samples with the possibility of frustrated total internal reflection (a breakdown of the ATR reflection mode into transmission mode). Local field enhancements at the interface are discussed with numerical/analytical examples. Maxwell’s scaling is used to model the behaviour of absorber–scatterer inside the materials at the interface with the ATR prism for realistic complex refractive indices of bio-materials. The modality of ATR with a polarisation analysis is proposed, and its principle is illustrated, opening an invitation for its experimental validation. The sensitivity of the polarised ATR mode to the refractive index between the sample and ATR prism is numerically modelled and experimentally verified for background (air) spectra. The design principles of polarisation active optical elements and spectral filters are outlined. The results and proposed concepts are based on experimental conditions at the THz beamline of the Australian Synchrotron.

Mapping of Supramolecular Chirality in Insect Wings by Microscopic Vibrational Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy: Heterogeneity in Protein Distribution

The supramolecular chirality of the hindwing of Anomala albopilosa (male) was investigated using a microscopic vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) system, denoted as MultiD-VCD. The source of intense infrared (IR) light for the system was a quantum cascade laser. Two-dimensional maps of IR and VCD spectra were taken by scanning the surface area (ca. 2 mm × 2 mm) of the insect hindwing tissue. The spectra ranged from 1500 to 1700 cm^-1, and the maps have a spatial resolution of 100 μm. The distribution of proteins, including their supramolecular structures, was analyzed from the location-dependent spectral shape of the VCD bands assigned to amides I and II. The results revealed that the hindwing consists of segregated domains of proteins with different secondary structures: an α-helix (in one part of the membrane), a hybrid of α-helix and β-sheet (in another part of the membrane), and a coil (in a vein).

Mapping sub-cellular protein aggregates and lipid inclusions using synchrotron ATR-FTIR microspectroscopy

Visualising direct biochemical markers of cell physiology and disease pathology at the sub-cellular level is an ongoing challenge in the biological sciences. A suite of microscopies exists to either visualise sub-cellular architecture or to indirectly view biochemical markers (e.g. histochemistry), but further technique developments and innovations are required to increase the range of biochemical parameters that can be imaged directly, in situ, within cells and tissue. Here, we report our continued advancements in the application of synchrotron radiation attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (SR-ATR-FTIR) microspectroscopy to study sub-cellular biochemistry. Our recent applications demonstrate the much needed capability to map or image directly sub-cellular protein aggregates within degenerating neurons as well as lipid inclusions within bacterial cells. We also characterise the effect of spectral acquisition parameters on speed of data collection and the associated trade-offs between a realistic experimental time frame and spectral/image quality. Specifically, the study highlights that the choice of 8 cm^-1 spectral resolutions provide a suitable trade-off between spectral quality and collection time, enabling identification of important spectroscopic markers, while increasing image acquisition by ∼30% (relative to 4 cm^-1 spectral resolution). Further, this study explores coupling a focal plane array detector with SR-ATR-FTIR, revealing a modest time improvement in image acquisition time (factor of 2.8). Such information continues to lay the foundation for these spectroscopic methods to be readily available for, and adopted by, the biological science community to facilitate new interdisciplinary endeavours to unravel complex biochemical questions and expand emerging areas of study.

Co-delivery of inhalable therapies: Controlling active ingredients spatial distribution and temporal release

The management of respiratory diseases relies on the daily administration of multiple active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), leading to a lack of patient compliance and impaired quality of life. The frequency and dosage of the APIs result in increased side effects that further worsens the overall patient condition. Here, the manufacture of polymer-polymer core-shell microparticles for the sequential delivery of multiple APIs by inhalation delivery is reported. The microparticles, composed of biodegradable polymers silk fibroin (shell) and poly(L-lactic acid) (core), incorporating ciprofloxacin in the silk layer and ibuprofen (PLLA core) as the antibiotic and anti-inflammatory model APIs, respectively. The polymer-polymer core-shell structure and the spatial distribution of the APIs have been characterized using cutting-edge synchrotron macro ATR-FTIR technique, which was correlated with the respective API sequential release profiles. The APIs microparticles had a suitable size and aerosol properties for inhalation therapies (≤4.94 ± 0.21μm), with low cytotoxicity and immunogenicity in healthy lung epithelial cells. The APIs compartmentalization obtained by the microparticles not only could inhibit potential actives interactions but can provide modulation of the APIs release profiles via an inhalable single administration.

Hyperspectral Molecular Orientation Mapping in Metamaterials

The four polarisation method is adopted for measurement of molecular orientation in dielectric nanolayers of metal-insulator-metal (MIM) metamaterials composed of gold nanodisks on polyimide and gold films. Hyperspectral mapping at the chemical finger printing spectral range of 4–20 μμm was carried out for MIM patterns of 1–2.5 μμm period (sub-wavelength). Overlay images taken at 0,π4,π2,3π4 orientation angles and subsequent baseline compensation are shown to be critically important for the interpretation of chemical mapping results and reduction of spurious artefacts. Light field enhancement in the 60-nm-thick polyimide (I in MIM) was responsible for strong absorption at the characteristic polyimide bands. Strong absorbance A at narrow IR bands can be used as a thermal emitter (emittance E=1−R), where R is the reflectance and A=1−R−T, where for optically thick samples the transmittance is T=0.

Macromolecular Orientation in Biological Tissues Using a Four-Polarization Method in FT-IR Imaging

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has emerged as a powerful tool for tissue specimen investigation. Its nondestructive and label-free character enables direct determination of biochemical composition of samples. Furthermore, the introduction of polarization enriches this technique by the possibility of molecular orientation study apart from purely quantitative analysis. Most of the molecular orientation studies focused on polymer samples with a well-defined molecular axis. Here, a four-polarization approach for Herman’s in-plane orientation function and azimuthal angle determination was applied to a human tissue sample investigation for the first time. Attention was focused on fibrous tissues rich in collagen because of their cylindrical shape and established amide bond vibrations. Despite the fact that the tissue specimen contains a variety of molecules, the presented results of molecular ordering and orientation agree with the theoretical prediction based on sample composition and vibration directions.

Direct Measurement of Temperature Diffusivity of Nanocellulose-Doped Biodegradable Composite Films

The thermal properties of novel nanomaterials play a significant role in determining the performance of the material in technological applications. Herein, direct measurement of the temperature diffusivity of nanocellulose-doped starch-polyurethane nanocomposite films was carried out by the micro-contact method. Polymer films containing up to 2 wt%. of nanocellulose were synthesised by a simple chemical process and are biodegradable. Films of a high optical transmittance T≈80% (for a 200 μm thick film), which were up to 44% crystalline, were characterised. Two different modalities of temperature diffusivity based on (1) a resistance change and (2) micro-thermocouple detected voltage modulation caused by the heat wave, were used for the polymer films with cross sections of ∼100 μm thickness. Twice different in-plane α‖ and out-of-plane α⟂ temperature diffusivities were directly determined with high fidelity: α‖=2.12×10-7 m2/s and α⟂=1.13×10-7 m2/s. This work provides an example of a direct contact measurement of thermal properties of nanocellulose composite biodegradable polymer films. The thermal diffusivity, which is usually high in strongly interconnected networks and crystals, was investigated for the first time in this polymer nanocomposite.

Understanding the structural degradation of South American historical silk: A Focal Plane Array (FPA) FTIR and multivariate analysis

Silk artifacts constitute an invaluable heritage, and to preserve such patrimony it is necessary to correlate the degradation of silk fibroin with the presence of dyes, pollutants, manufacturing techniques, etc. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy with a Focal plane array detector (FPA FTIR) provides structural information at the micron scale. We characterized the distribution of secondary structures in silk fibers for a large set of South American historical textiles, coupling FTIR with multivariate statistical analysis to correlate the protein structure with the age of the samples and the presence of dyes. We found that the pressure applied during attenuated total reflectance (ATR) measurements might induce structural changes in the fibers, producing similar spectra for pristine and aged samples. Reflectance spectra were thus used for the rigorous characterization of secondary structures. Some correlation was highlighted between the age of the samples (spanning over five centuries) and specific changes in their secondary structure. A correlation was found between the color of the samples and structural alterations, in agreement with the chemical nature of the dyes. Overall, we demonstrated the efficacy of reflectance FPA µ-FTIR, combined with multivariate analysis, for the rigorous and non-invasive description of protein secondary structures on large sets of samples.

Near-Field IR Orientational Spectroscopy of Silk

Orientational dependence of the IR absorbing amide bands of silk is demonstrated from two orthogonal longitudinal and transverse microtome slices with a thickness of only ∼100 nm. Scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) which preferentially probes orientation perpendicular to the sample’s surface was used. Spatial resolution of the silk–epoxy boundary was ∼100 nm resolution, while the spectra were collected by a ∼10 nm tip. Ratio of the absorbance of the amide-II C-N at 1512 cm − 1 and amide-I C=O β -sheets at 1628 cm − 1 showed sensitivity of SNOM to the molecular orientation. SNOM characterisation is complimentary to the far-field absorbance which is sensitive to the in-plane polarisation. Volumes with cross sections smaller than 100 nm can be characterised for molecular orientation. A method of absorbance measurements at four angles of the slice cut orientation, which is equivalent to the four polarisation angles absorbance measurement, is proposed.

Infrared Polariscopy Imaging of Linear Polymeric Patterns with a Focal Plane Array

Polariscopy is demonstrated using hyperspectral imaging with a focal plane array (FPA) detector in the infrared (IR) spectral region under illumination by thermal and synchrotron light sources. FPA Fourier-transform IR (FTIR) imaging microspectroscopy is useful for monitoring real time changes at specific absorption bands when combined with a high brightness synchrotron source. In this study, several types of samples with unique structural motifs were selected and used for assessing the capability of polariscopy under this FPA-FTIR imaging technique. It was shown that the time required for polariscopy at IR wavelengths can be substantially reduced by the FPA-FTIR imaging approach. By using natural and laser fabricated polymers with sub-wavelength features, alignment of absorbing molecular dipoles and higher order patterns (laser fabricated structures) were revealed. Spectral polariscopy at the absorption peaks can reveal the orientation of sub-wavelength patterns (even when they are not spatially resolved) or the orientation of the absorbing dipoles.

Nanoscale optical and structural characterisation of silk

The nanoscale composition of silk defining its unique properties via a hierarchial structural anisotropy needs to be analysed at the highest spatial resolution of tens of nanometers corresponding to the size of fibrils made of β-sheets, which are the crystalline building blocks of silk. Nanoscale optical and structural properties of silk have been measured from 100 nm thick longitudinal slices of silk fibers with ca. 10 nm resolution, the highest so far. Optical sub-wavelength resolution in hyperspectral mapping of absorbance and molecular orientation were carried out for comparison at IR wavelengths of 2-10 μm using synchrotron radiation. A reliable distinction of transmission changes by only 1-2% as the anisotropy of amide bands was obtained from nanometer-thin slices of silk.

Analysis of molecular orientation in polymeric spherulite using polarized micro attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopic imaging

Micro ATR-FTIR spectroscopic imaging enables the visualization of two-dimensional chemical distribution at a higher spatial resolution than macro-transmission FTIR imaging approach. In this study, micro ATR-FTIR imaging was applied for analysis of a specific morphology in a spherulite of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). The PHB spherulites crystallized at an isothermal condition, showed the fine band structure due to the twisting lamellar crystals during the spherulite growth under the polarized optical microscope (POM). In addition, the band structure observed in the PHB spherulite was the double band pattern in which the higher and lower birefringence banded areas alternatively appear due to the three-dimensional orientation of crystallographic axes and the biaxial refractive index ellipsoid of PHB crystalline structure. Micro ATR-FTIR spectroscopic imaging was employed for detecting the double band structure in the PHB spherulite. However, the obtained spectral images did not indicate any band structures. To detect the difference of molecular orientation among the double band structures, the micro ATR-FTIR imaging was performed with a linear polarizer at four different angles. The mean values of absorbance in each measured area changed depending on the polarizer angle. The in-plane molecular orientation to the tangential direction of spherulite, caused by the dependence of the average absorbance on the polarizer angles, was determined by the position of measured area in the spherulite and the linear dicroism of each of the spectral band used. To visualize the small difference of molecular orientation in the double band structure, micro ATR-FTIR images of the dichroic differences at three spectral bands were calculated from two different sets of polarizer angles. The micro ATR-FTIR images representing the dichroic differences displayed their corresponding distributions among three spectral bands. The complementary distributions of the dichroic difference were caused by the crystallographic orientation of b- and c-axes and were successfully visualized to reveal the pattern with the features less than 10 μm in size. The results achieved in this study were due to two advantages of the polarized micro ATR-FTIR imaging: the high spatial resolution of micro ATR-FTIR imaging technique, and the high sensitivity of polarization measurements. Thus, this work demonstrates the power of this spectroscopic approach for such analytical investigation.

Synchrotron macro ATR-FTIR microspectroscopy for high-resolution chemical mapping of single cells

Coupling synchrotron IR beam to an ATR element enhances spatial resolution suited for high-resolution single cell analysis in biology, medicine and environmental science.

Concurrent polarization IR analysis to determine the 3D angles and the order parameter for molecular orientation imaging

A non-tomographic analysis method is proposed to determine the 3D angles and the order parameter of molecular orientation using polarization-dependent infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Conventional polarization-based imaging approaches provide only 2D-projected orientational information of single vibrational modes. The newly proposed method concurrently analyses polarization angle-dependent absorptance of two non-parallel transition dipole moments. The relative phase angle and the maximum-to-minimum ratios observed from the two polarization profiles are used to calculate the 3D angles of the mean molecular orientation and the order parameter of the orientational distribution. Usage of those relative observables as intermediate input parameters makes the analysis results robust against variations in concentration, thickness, absorption peak, and absorption cross-section, which can occur in typical imaging conditions. This analysis is based on a single-step, non-iterative calculation that does not require any analytical model function of an orientational distribution function. This concurrent polarization analysis method is demonstrated using two simulation data examples, followed by associated error propagation analysis and discussion on the effect of absorption strength. Application of this robust spectral analysis method to polarization IR microscopy will provide a full molecular orientation image without tilting that tomographies require.

Revealing the spatial distribution of chemical species within latent fingermarks using vibrational spectroscopy

Latent fingermark chemistry revealed by Raman microscopy and Synchrotron ATR-FTIR.