Editorial

Instrumental analysis plays an important role in helping the understanding of mechanisms of reactions and interactions and of composition and properties of materials.

The importance of instrumental analysis has been demonstrated through the papers included in this issue. For example, Gao and his colleagues described their work on using Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to understand the influence of moisture on the competing reactions between isocyanate and cellulose and between isocyanate and water,occurring during the process of bonding wood components using phenyl isocyanate-based wood glue.

FTIR spectrometer measures the absorption of infrared radiation of various wavelengths by the material of interest, as a result of the stretching and bending vibrations of covalent bonds. Thus, FTIR is a powerful tool for detection and identification of functional groups, both qualitatively and quantitatively. XPS, also known as electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis(ESCA), is a non-destructive technique for surface analysis providing quantitative surface chemical state information for all elements except hydrogen and helium. XPS records the distribution of kinetic energies resulting from the photoelectron emission of atoms as a consequence of monochromatic X-ray irradiation.

Thus, in Gao's work, the FTIR was used to identify the products of the reaction of phenyl isocyanate with alcohol, water, and cellulose; while the XPS was used to evaluate the proportions of isocyanate that reacted with water or cellulose when phenyl isocyanate reacted with cellulose at different moisture contents.

In their paper, Ahmed and her colleague demonstrated the usefulness of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in helping the understanding of properties of power materials.

Unfortunately, most analytical instrument often tends to be relatively costly. As such, traditionally, analytical instrument is more often seen in well-funded higher education institutes and state-funded or independent research organisations, while few appear in manufacturing industry. Larger corporations do have specialised analytical instrument, often tailored to suit specific technical service and research and development needs. However, many medium and small companies suffer from a lack of instrumental analysis capability, which often becomes a significant factor hindering their progress. The good news is that there do exist considerable instrumental analysis resources within higher education institutes and independent research organisations, who offer effective analytical services to industry, often together with expert interpretation.