Raman spectroscopy analysis

Raman spectroscopy analysis allows the molecular structure of a compound to be identified from the characteristic vibrations of its chemical bonds. This non-destructive technique provides a unique spectral signature for each material, enabling precise, rapid, and reliable identification. It is particularly useful in the materials and polymers, food, nutraceutical, cosmetics, animal nutrition, and plant sectors, where a detailed understanding of chemical composition is essential for quality control, characterization, and authentication.

Importance of Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy has become an indispensable method for molecular identification, chemical structure analysis, and the detection of adulteration or contaminants. Its ability to analyze a sample without prior preparation, without destruction, and even through certain transparent materials, makes it an ideal technique for rapid quality control, production inspection, counterfeit detection, and raw material conformity verification. It also allows for monitoring structural changes, identifying polymorphs, characterizing complex mixtures, and verifying the uniformity of solid or liquid formulations.

Methods and principles

Raman spectroscopy relies on the inelastic scattering of light when a laser beam interacts with the molecules of a material. The observed frequency shifts allow for the creation of a vibrational spectrum specific to each compound. This technique offers:

• a very precise molecular identification
• the ability to differentiate between similar chemical compounds
• detection of polymorphs and impurities
• a local or cartographic analysis (Raman mapping)
• a non-destructive analysis, suitable for finished products

In some applications, Raman can be complemented by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), XRD or electron microscopy for an even more complete understanding of the material structure.

Analyzed matrices

Raman spectroscopy is applicable to a very wide range of industrial matrices: polymers, films, composites, mineral powders, active ingredients, plant extracts, essential oils, food products, nutritional powders, cosmetic formulations, granules, packaging materials, technical surfaces, solid contaminants, residues, microparticles, etc. It allows the analysis of both raw materials and finished or semi-finished products.

Interest for industrialists

For manufacturers, formulators, processors, and R&D laboratories, Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool that enables: ensuring the traceability of raw materials, detecting adulteration or fraudulent substitutions, validating the conformity of active ingredients, identifying contaminants or impurities, verifying batch uniformity, characterizing polymers and technical materials, and supporting investigations in the event of a defect or failure. Its speed and non-destructive nature make it a preferred choice for quality control in production and exploratory analyses.

YesWeLab Expertise

YesWeLab collaborates with specialized laboratories that have mastered Raman spectroscopy and possess high-resolution equipment suitable for polymer, plant, mineral, and organic analyses. The majority of our partners are certified or accredited (ISO 17025, COFRAC), guaranteeing reliable and reproducible results. Our team will assist you in defining the most appropriate method for your matrix and your objective: identification, authentication, impurity detection, structural analysis, or quality control. Thanks to our digital platform, we facilitate the management of your analyses, from submitting your request to receiving the results.

Other relevant analyses from the YesWeLab catalogue

• FTIR analysis of materials
• Electron microscopy (SEM)
• Thermal analysis (DSC, TGA)
• Materials expertise and failure analysis