The laboratory is equipped with measurement systems based on optical spectroscopy, such as infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy for the characterisation of materials of different natures, both solid (catalysts, polymers, membranes, organic films, foils, sensors) and liquid (solutions, reaction mixtures). In particular, the IR spectrometer is able to work in different modes being equipped with dedicated modules and measuring cells including ATR (attenuated total reflectance) multi-reflection, DRIFT (diffuse reflectance in Fourier transform), SMART ARK Flat Plate.

• In situ/operando spectroscopic investigations are a fundamental tool for the qualitative and quantitative determination of the active sites of catalytic systems and transient species taking part in chemical reactions. Such measurements are possible through the use of the TPR cell Praying MantisTM Diffuse Reflection accessory, equipped with an environmental chamber operating in DRIFT to study the reaction kinetics of catalytic reactions in operando, over a wide range of temperature (25-900 °C) and pressure (1-30 bar).
• In situ measurements are carried out to investigate surface properties and identify active sites functional to the catalytic pathway using quartz cells for adsorption of probe molecules (pyridine, ammonia, methanol, …).
• Transmission quartz cells also allow the study of moisture on polymeric samples.

The potential of the laboratory is amplified by the possibility of conducting measurements with hyphenated techniques, such as IR-MS, IR-TGA or TGA-MS. The IR reaction cell is directly connected to a gas management system for the use of pure gases and mixtures supplied with different volumetric flow rates and variable reaction pressures. The mass spectrometer connected with the IR cell also makes it possible to monitor the evolution of the gaseous reaction products and to carry out their qualitative-quantitative analysis. The purpose of thermo-gravimetric analysis combined with infrared spectroscopy (TGA/IR) is to determine the variation of the mass of a sample as a function of temperature under controlled atmosphere conditions (inert, reducing or oxidising) and to analyse the physical changes undergone by the sample during heat treatment. Simultaneous measurement of heat flux (DSC) and mass change (TGA) is possible by using modulated techniques for determining heat capacity and increased productivity, while also evaluating the activation energy of chemical steps using models associated with high-resolution TGA measurements. Thermodynamic transitions, thermal stability or decomposition paths can be detected and quantified as a function of heat treatment. Finally, the availability of a state-of-the-art confocal Raman microscope makes it possible to obtain information on both the chemical nature of materials and the structure and interactions between chemical species. Raman observation enables the identification, mapping, imaging and chemical analysis of polymeric, organic and inorganic materials, being fundamental for the characterisation of carbon-based materials such as graphite, nanotubes and fullerenes.