Infrared spectroscopy as a tool to study the vibrational, mechanical, and structural changes in commercial plastic bags: Physical principles

Abstract

This paper investigates the application of Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy by analyzing a commercially available plastic bag as an example. The study investigates the vibrational modes, mechanical properties, and structural changes of a bare sample during a tensile test. By measuring the absorption bands and their intensities, valuable information about the chemical composition and the concentration of certain components in the plastic bag is obtained. The behavior of vibrational modes in one, two, and three-dimensional systems is studied, with a focus on their representation in the IR spectrum. The concept of the dipolar electric moment and phenomena such as overtone bands and Fermi resonance are also explained. The X-ray patterns of the bag show talc and polyethylene crystalline phases. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) determines the thickness of the sample. Tensile tests are performed to investigate the mechanical behavior of the plastic bags. This study demonstrates the informative and educational capabilities of FT-IR spectroscopy in studying the vibrational, mechanical, and structural properties of materials, with an emphasis on the correct application of this technique. The study highlights the importance of considering the effects of thickness and absorption coefficient and applying the Beer-Lambert law to understand the changes in vibrational modes during tensile testing. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of the structural behavior of plastic bags and demonstrate the effectiveness of FT-IR spectroscopy in characterizing such materials.