A Confocal Raman Imaging Study on Emulsions

Abstract

In the life sciences and bio-medical research, in the food as well pharmaceutical industry the development of characteristic emulsions and suspensions with distinctive features play an important role. As the microstructure of such mixtures strongly determines the properties of final products, powerful analytical tools are required for studying the distribution of the various compounds. A variety of techniques are available for such high resolution nano-scale imaging and component analysis, including fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis or electron microprobe and other related techniques. Quite often these techniques are somewhat destructive and abrasive, or require labor intensive and complex sample preparation. Most importantly though, these analytical methods are vacuum or high vacuum techniques, therefore imposing limitations on the investigation of e.g. wet, out-gassing samples, or they induce structural changes. Confocal Raman Imaging applied in ambient conditions can help overcome these drawbacks and allow for detailed structural and compositional investigation prior to the possible application of invasive techniques.