Raman Application Corner

Graphene

Pharmaceutical

Cosmetics

Polymers

Agro-food

Energy

Nanomaterials

Archeometry / Art

Environment

Geology

Life Sciences

Forensics

< Back to top

Combining the acquisition of spatial and spectral information of a sample, Raman imaging and spectroscopy can be very helpful in the cosmetics industry. This technique allows for the non-destructive identification of chemical compounds and characterization of molecular structures in various formulations used for skin or hair products.

Did you know Raman can do that?

Application Notes

• RA78: Pharmaceutical compounds distribution and cosmetic products analyzed by confocal Raman spectroscopy
• FLUO, RA, PSA 02: Spectroscopic methods for sunscreens characterization
• RA70: Valuable analysis tool for cosmetics and skin characterization

Publications

• Fluhr, J. W., Tfayli, A., Darlenski, R., Darvin, M. E., Joly‐Tonetti, N., & Lachmann, N. (2023). Glycerol and natural sugar‐derived complex modulate differentially stratum corneum water‐binding properties and structural parameters in an in vitro Raman‐desorption model. Journal of Biophotonics, 16(1), e202200201.
• Schleusener, J., Carrer, V., Patzelt, A., Guo, S., Bocklitz, T., Coderch, L., ... & Darvin, M. E. E. (2019). Confocal Raman imaging of skin sections containing hair follicles using classical least squares regression and multivariate curve resolution–alternating least squares. Quantum Electronics, 49(1), 6.
• Essendoubi, M., Alsamad, F., Noël, P., Meunier, M., Scandolera, A., Sandré, J., ... & Piot, O. (2021). Combining Raman imaging and MCR‐ALS analysis for monitoring retinol permeation in human skin. Skin Research and Technology, 27(6), 1100-1109.

< Back to top

As technology evolves at a high rate of speed, it requires more reliable, efficient and powerful energy sources. Raman spectroscopy is adapted to characterize materials developed for energy sources. Characterization will include structural and electronic properties, or failure analysis, which is very useful in the quality control process, or state comparisons at different periods of time for stability studies.

Did you know Raman can do that?

Application Notes

• RA67: Combined Raman photoluminescence imaging of 2D WS2
• RA53: Raman spectroscopy applied to the lithium-ion battery analysis
• RA42: Raman imaging of a single gallium nitride nanowire: pushing the limits of confocal microscopy

Publications

• “Revealing the role of interfacial properties on catalytic behaviors by in situ Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy”. Zhang H. and al. (2017). J. Am. Chem. Soc. 139(30):10339-10346
• “Raman imaging for LiCoO2 composite positive electrodes in all-solid-state lithium batteries using Li2S-P2S5 solid electrolytes”. Otoyama M. and al. (2016). Journal of Power Sources, 302:419-425
• “Photoluminescence and Raman study of Cu2ZnSn(SexS1-x)4 monograins for photovoltaic applications”. Grossberg M. (2011). Thin solid films, 519(21):7403-7406

< Back to top

Water contamination (oil spills, microplastics) and air pollution (aerosols, gas emissions) are two main types of worldwide environment pollution. To overcome this major public issue, innovative analytical characterization tools such as microRaman spectroscopy are required. As it is highly chemically selective, it allows fast morphological and chemical characterization and identification of microparticles.

Did you know Raman can do that?

Application Notes

• RA71: Morphological and chemical characterizations of microplastic particles using Particle Finder™ and Raman techniques
• RA56: Identification of airborne pollen by Raman spectroscopy
• RA48: Confocal Raman microspectrometry imaging combined with chemometric methods for environmental applications

Publications

• “Identification of microplastics using Raman spectroscopy: Latest developments and future prospects.” Araujo C.F. and al. (2018). Water Research. 142:426-440
• “Combining Raman microspectrometry and chemometrics for determining quantitative molecular composition and mixing state of atmospheric aerosol particles.” Siepka D. and al. (2018). Microchemical Journal. 137:119-130
• “Quantitative SERS sensors for environmental analysis of naphthalene.” Péron O. and al. (2011). Analyst. 136:1018-1022

< Back to top

Raman spectroscopy offers specific features which are key points for life sciences analyses: it’s a non-invasive, label-free technique with a sub-micron spatial resolution.
Raman spectroscopy shows high potential in combination with chemometric methods to investigate bulk samples, as well as a single cell, for discrimination purposes: Healthy and diseased cells distinction based on chemical and/or structural properties, and bacteria/yeasts classification up to strains level.

Application Notes

• RA62: Direct identification of clinically relevant microorganisms on solid culture media by Raman spectroscopy
• RA60: Investigating the atherosclerosis process by monitoring lipid deposits including cholesterol and free fatty acids
• RA59: Raman investigation of microorganisms on a single cell level

Publications

• “Raman reporters derived from aryl diazonium salts for SERS encoded-nanoparticles.” Yun Luo and al. (2020). Chem. Commun., 2020, Advance Article
• “An automated Raman-based platform for the sorting of live cells by functional properties.” Lee K.S. and al. (2019). Nature Microbiology. 4:1035-1048.
• “Development of methodology for Raman microspectroscopic analyis of oral exfoliated cells.” Behl I. and al. (2017). Anal. Methods. 9:937-948.
• “In vitro monitoring of time and dose dependent cytotoxicity of aminated nanoparticles using Raman spectroscopy.” Efeoglu E. and al. (2016). Analyst. 141:5417-5431.

< Back to top

Polymers, whether natural or synthetic, are found everywhere in our daily life from our clothes to buildings, as well as in packaging and cars. There are many industries that need analytical instruments to control their products. For polymers, Raman spectroscopy can be useful for the chemical identification, distribution determination, depth profiling, polymerization monitoring and compound stress analyses.

Did you know Raman can do that?

Application Notes

• RA89: Resolving micron-sized layers in multilayer films with Raman microscopy by cross-section analysis and confocal depth profiling
• RA81: Characterization of protective mask fibers by Raman microscopy
• RA76: Raman Microscopy Applied to Polymer Characterization: An Overview
• RA55: Transmission Raman spectroscopy: review of applications
• Polymers 05: Concentration profile measurements in polymeric coatings during drying by means of Inverse-Micro-Raman-Spectroscopy (IMRS)
• Polymers 04: Raman imaging of holographic gratings inscribed on polymer thin films

Publications

• “Polarized Raman analysis of polymer chain orientation in ultrafine individual nanofibers with variable low cristallinity.” Papkov and al. (2018). Macromolecules. 51(21):8746-8751.
• “Cold gas spray titanium coatings onto a biocompatible polymer.” Gardon M. and al. (2013). Materials Letters. 106:97-99.
• “Direct detection of analyte binding to single molecularly imprinted polymer particles by confocal Raman spectroscopy.” Bompart M. and al. (2009). Biosensors and Bioelectronics. 25(3):568-571.

< Back to top

Nanomaterials are considered materials which have at least one of the three dimensions reduced down to nanometer scale. Following this definition, nanomaterials include:

• 2D materials, which are essentially single layers, like graphene or transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) monolayers. They often play an important role in electronic, material or biological applications;
• Quasi-2D structures, such as heterostructures, comprised of a stack of very thin layers, thus exhibiting new physical properties;
• 1D materials which include carbon nanotubes, nanowires, and nanorods; and
• 0D materials which are quantum dots or nanoparticles.

Raman spectroscopy is an excellent tool to answer many questions about the structure and properties of these materials for their development.

Did you know Raman can do that?

Application Notes

• RA54: Number of layers of MoS2 determined using Raman spectroscopy
• RA50: Graphene studies using Raman spectroscopy
• RA14: SWNTs, Quality control by Raman spectroscopy

Publications

• “Validity of measuring metallic and semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube fractions by quantitative Raman spectroscopy.” Tian Y. and al. (2018). Anal. Chem. 90(4):2517-2525.
• “Multicolor graphenenanoribbon/semiconductor nanowire heterojunction light-emitting diodes.” Ye Y. and al. (2011). J. Mater. Chem. 21:11760-11763.
• “Photoluminescence emission and Raman response of monolayer MoS₂, MoSe₂, and WSe₂.” Tonndorf P. and al. (2013). Optics Express. 21(4):4908-4916.

< Back to top

Natural rocks composing the Earth are complex. They consist of an aggregate of one or more minerals. Each mineral can be defined by its chemical composition and its crystalline structure, and sometimes can also contain fluid inclusions. Geologists need a powerful characterization technique to get detailed information on the rock's formation history. Raman spectroscopy is extremely information-rich (chemical identification, characterization of molecular structures, effects of bonding, environment and stress on a sample). With its non-destructive properties and high spatial resolution (< 1 μm), Raman spectroscopy is thus a tool of choice for geological studies.

Did you know Raman can do that?

Application Notes

• RA84: Co-localized microscopy techniques for pyrite mineral spatial characterization
• RA23: Study of geological materials with Raman Spectroscopy
• RA15: Coloured diamond defect identification by Raman diffusion and photoluminescence

Publications

• “Evaluating molecular evolution of kerogen by Raman spectroscopy: Correlation with optical microscopy and rock-eval pyrolysis.” Khatibi S. and al. (2018). Energies. 11(6):1406
• “Hydrogen in silicate melt inclusions in quartz from granite detected with Raman spectroscopy.” Li J. and Chou I.M. (2015). Journal of Raman spectroscopy. 46(10):983-986.
• “Raman spectroscopic analysis of geological and biogeological specimens of relevance to the ExoMars mission.” Edwards H.G.M. and al. (2013). Astrobiology. 13(6):543-549.

< Back to top

It’s been more than a decade that Raman spectroscopy has been recognized as an efficient and powerful analytical tool in the field of Forensic Science. Indeed, it is a non-destructive, non-contact and non-contaminating technique which does not need any sample preparation. Hence, this allows the preservation of small traces of evidence for further analyses of the same specimen for confirmation of results. In addition, only minima quantities of material are required thanks to the high spatial resolution of the confocal system.
The Raman effect is highly sensitive to slight differences in chemical composition and crystallographic structure. These features are very useful for the investigation of illegal drugs, for the analyses of inks in-situ on paper surfaces to authenticate printed documents, and for the verification of explosive materials (presence on surfaces, distribution of individual components).

Application Notes

• RA20: The non destructive and in-situ identification of different black inks

Publications

• “Raman spectroscopic method for semen identification: azoospermia.” Fikiet M.A. and Lednev I.K. (2019). Talanta. 194:385-389.
• “Rapid detection of drugs and explosives for forensic analysis.” Meinhart C.D. and al. (2018). US Army RDECOM.
• “Raman microspectroscopic mapping as a tool for detection of gunshot residue on adhesive tape.” Bueno J. and al. (2018). Anal. and Bioanal. Chem. 410(28):7295-7303.

< Back to top

Raman spectroscopy is gradually becoming an analytical technique for food and beverage characterization. The main goals of analytical techniques in this domain are the determination of composition via quantitative methods, quality control (including adulteration, bacterial contamination), and identification of impurities or undesired material. Unlike chromatographic techniques, Raman analyses are rapid, and don’t require solvents or sample preparation. Additionally, contrary to infrared techniques, Raman spectroscopy is not sensitive to high water content, and is thus well adapted to analyze aqueous solutions.

Application Notes

• AN04: Milk compounds characterization by optical spectroscopies and laser diffraction
• RA52: Characterization of encapsulated flavours using Raman spectroscopy
• RA51: Fat acids characterization for food quality using Raman spectroscopy

Publications

• “Determination of extremely low concentration of sucrose in aqueous solution by Raman spectroscopy.” Rahimi N. and al. (2019). Proc. SPIE. 10881
• “Development of an optimal filter substrate for the identification of small microplastic particles in food by micro-Raman spectroscopy.” Obmann B.E. and al. (2017). Anal. and Bioanal. Chem. 409(16):4099-4109
• “The use of Raman spectroscopy in food processes: a review.” Jin H. and al. (2015). Applied Spectroscopy reviews. 51(1)12-22.

< Back to top

Leading experts in archeology and the arts base their certification of ancient artifacts on stylistic analysis and personal sensory perceptions. In addition, scientific expertise is mandatory for identification, dating and detection for falsification purposes. Encountered difficulties are linked to the samples themselves which are unique, in very small amount and need to be handled as little as possible. Raman spectroscopy turns out to be an ideally suited technique as its analyses are non-destructive and non-contact.

Application Notes

• Art03: Micro-Raman pigment analysis of wall paintings from a church in the Skopje Fortress, Republic of Macedonia
• RA02: Archaeometric analysis of ancient pottery
• Art01: The non destructive and in-situ analysis of pigments

Publications

• “Non-invasive on-site Raman study of blue-decorated early soft-paste porcelain: The use of arsenic-rich (European) cobalt ores – Comparison with huafalang Chinese porcelains.” Colomban P. and al. (2018). Ceramics International. 44(8):9018-9026.
• “Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy confirm ochre residues on 71 000-year-old bifacial tools from Sibudu, South Africa.” Wojcieszak M. and Wadley L. (2018). Archaeometry. 60(5):1062-1076.
• “Raman characterization of painted mortar in Republican Roman mosaics.” Boschetti C. and al. (2008). Journal of Raman spectroscopy. 39(8):1085-1090.

Testimony

• [SelectScience Video] Prof. Philippe Colomban, CNRS Research Professor Emeritus, Sorbonne University, France, gives an insight into his research in the field of material science and the use of Raman spectroscopy to gain a greater understanding of ancient Chinese artefacts.