Near-IR Multiplex Bandpass Spectrometer Utilizing Liquid Molecular Filters

A simple near-infrared spectrometer is described which uses common liquids as near-IR spectral filters. Each filter substance passes multiple bands of near-IR radiation. This new type of spectrometer offers simplicity, cost advantages, and enhanced throughput. The high throughput is useful for ensuring the high signal-to-noise ratio typically needed for chemometrics. The high throughput also allows the use of longer sample pathlengths. The performance of the spectrometer is demonstrated in the determination of methanol through a 1-cm pathlength of water and in the determination of trace amounts of water in organic solvents such as propylene glycol and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Best-case detection limits were 0.02% (w/w) methanol in water, 0.0006% water in DMSO, and 0.004% water in propylene glycol.