Low-cost handheld NIR spectroscopy for identification of organic solvents and low-level quantification of water contamination

Quality control of liquid raw materials arriving on an industrial manufacturing site is typically performed in a dedicated laboratory using timeand chemicals-consuming analytical methods. Herein, we report the successful development of a handheld near-infrared spectroscopy method for the rapid, low-cost testing of organic solvents. Our methodology enables the classification of organic solvents with 100% accuracy and the quantification of water in methyl ethyl ketone with a precision of similar to 0.01 wt% in the 0-0.25 wt% range. The accessory that we have developed for the NIR sensor enables the development of a broad range of sensing applications on organic liquid systems.

Automated summary

A handheld near-infrared spectroscopy method has been successfully developed for rapid and low-cost testing of organic solvents, achieving 100% accuracy in solvent classification and precise water quantification in methyl ethyl ketone within the range of 0-0.25 wt%. The accessory developed for the NIR sensor enables the development of a broad range of sensing applications on organic liquid systems.