Fourier Transform Raman Spectroscopy for the Analysis of Pigmented Acrylic Latex Films

By A.S. Davie , P.E. Kavanagh , W-H. Leong

Fourier transform Raman (FTR) spectra of some acrylic latices, rutile titanium dioxide, some common extender pigments, and some acrylic latex paint films were obtained. As expected, all FTR spectra obtained showed considerable differences to their published infrared spectra.

It is shown that FTR spectroscopy is excellent for the qualitative analysis of dried acrylic latex paint films and has the added advantages that it is nondestructive and requires no prior sample preparation. Quantitative analysis of extender pigments in dried acrylic latex paint films has also been successful but good quantitative results for titanium dioxide were not obtained. The reason for this is not known.