Final answer:
Samples for IR spectroscopy are carefully plated between IR-transparent materials, with precautions to avoid moisture absorption and to ensure the plates are clean and scratch-free for accurate analysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
When preparing samples for Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, one must plate the samples with care to avoid contamination and ensure accurate results. The samples are typically prepared by sandwiching the specimen between two plates of sodium chloride (NaCl) or another IR-transparent material. However, certain cautions must be taken such as ensuring that the sample is not hygroscopic to prevent it from absorbing moisture from the air, which could interfere with the IR analysis. Additionally, the plates themselves must be impeccably clean and free from scratches to avoid spectral artifacts. With these precautions in place, IR spectroscopy can yield highly specific insights into the molecular composition of a sample.