Mid-infrared spectroscopy and porous oxides : from trace analysis to interactions at surfaces

This thesis focused on the combination of mesoporous silica with attenuated total reflection Fourier transform (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. ATR crystals coated with thin mesoporous silica films were investigated as a means to preconcentrate target analytes on the ATR crystal and thus to significantly enhance sensitivity and selectivity of mid-infrared based sensing schemes.