Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Plastics, Polymers and Rubbers by Vibrational Spectroscopy

Abstract

The vibrational spectroscopy techniques of infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy are widely used for the analysis and characterization of organic polymers, plastics and rubbers, and their products. They are used to both identify and to probe the molecular microstructure and morphology of polymers and articles fabricated from them, and to investigate and monitor their synthesis and manufacture. This chapter begins with a short discussion on the range of sample forms and properties that are amenable to study using vibrational spectroscopy. This is followed by concise descriptions of sampling techniques as they apply to polymer analysis. Discussions of qualitative and quantitative analysis and the peculiarities associated with polymer infrared and Raman spectra are then followed by more specific applications sections, which cover: dichroism and molecular orientation; end groups and branching; hydrogen bonding; blends and miscibility studies; copolymer composition; polymerisation and cure studies; degradation and oxidation; chromatography, pyrolysis, evolved gas analysis and thermogravimetric analysis coupled with vibrational spectroscopy; optical properties and constants; two‐dimensional vibrational spectroscopy; process measurements; and, infrared and Raman microspectroscopy. This chapter is a prelude to the more specific and specialized chapters that follow in this book.

Study on the Use of Evolved Gas Analysis FT-IR (EGA FT-IR) for the Evaluation of Cheese Volatile Fraction

“…The principal applications of EGA FT-IR have been in the determination of thermal reaction behaviour and decomposition mechanism of polymers; in addition it has been used in the assessment of fossil fuels for energy production and then in the pharmaceutical industry for residual solvent determination, drug composition and shelf life monitoring [15][16]. Other applications are the real-time identification and monitoring of vapors or gases evolved from certain combustion processes, such as those resulting from thermal breakdown experiments in controlled environments, pyrolysis vapors, fire gases from direct burning of rubber or plastics [17]. As regards the food analysis, EGA FT-IR has been applied on spaghetti pasta and hazelnuts to study the effects of some technological processes by monitoring the evolution of water or carbon dioxide [16][17][18].…”

“…Other applications are the real-time identification and monitoring of vapors or gases evolved from certain combustion processes, such as those resulting from thermal breakdown experiments in controlled environments, pyrolysis vapors, fire gases from direct burning of rubber or plastics [17]. As regards the food analysis, EGA FT-IR has been applied on spaghetti pasta and hazelnuts to study the effects of some technological processes by monitoring the evolution of water or carbon dioxide [16][17][18].…”

On-Site Identification of the Material Composition of PV Modules with Mobile Spectroscopic Devices

“…In contrast, Raman measurements can be performed contact-free and, with a suitable probe provided, the polymeric material located behind a transparent frontsheet (glass) can be identified (e.g., the encapsulant in a PV module) [15,[25][26][27] or the spectra of the interface solar cell/encapsulant can be recorded (confocal measurement method [25,28]).…”

Some Applications of Vibrational Spectroscopy for the Analysis of Polymers and Polymer Composites

“…Details on the implementation of the two complementary vibrational spectroscopic techniques applied to polymer analysis can be found in Reference [18]. A description of the appropriate sampling techniques, as well as discussions on qualitative and quantitative analyses of polymeric samples and on important characteristics of a polymer, are given by the authors.…”