Polymers
Polymers are present in virtually all products we interact with daily. With increasing environmental awareness, polymer science is looking at more novel and complex solutions to improve functionality and reduce environmental impact.
Why O-PTIR for Polymer and Bioplastics ?
The mIRage-LS platform enables high value problems to be solved in industrial chemical and polymeric products. O-PTIR’s high chemical spatial resolution and limited sample preparation enables scientists and engineers to quickly detect and identify the chemical ID of defects, contaminants and material types.
- O-PTIR provides 10-30x higher IR chemical spatial resolution than FTIR but correlates to FTIR transmission and ATR-FTIR
- Non-contact, non-destructive, reflection mode measurements with FTIR transmission/ATR-like spectral quality that are library searchable
- Simultaneous O-PTIR and Raman for complimentary and confirmatory analysis with faster time to data and enhanced data confidence
- Automated measurement of defects and contaminants with featurefindIR
O-PTIR – polymer (PLA-ACM) phase dispersions
High quality spectra were collected in seconds, with high spatial resolution images collected in minutes. Image on the right shows image resolution of an inclusion of ACM as small as 249 nm! Clear spectral differences attributable to the expected chemical domains of PLA and ACM were observed.
IR image: 20×20 µm, 100 nm step size, ~3 min/image
Sample courtesy of Dr Rudiger Berger, Max Planck Inst Polymer Research, Mainz, Germany
Polymer laminates analysis with O-PTIR
Key peaks at 1642 cm-1 (Nylon) and 1142 cm-1 are used for single frequency imaging
Image collected at 100 nm steps (~3 mins per image)
Central EVOH layer of 1.6 microns clearly visible!
O-PTIR measurement of Polypropylene-based nanofibers with 800 nm diameter.
The O-PTIR spectra of bare nanofibers are analyzed directly in air with very high sensitivity. The fibers are not embedded in resin to preserve the material being investigated. The additives on the polypropylene-based nanofiber surface can be clearly observed on the surface without material interference.
Imaging and spectroscopy of bioplastic laminates
O-PTIR Scan of Bioplastic Laminate
Linear sampling scan spanning 8.0 µm measured every 100 nm apart (plotted only every 200 nm and across 2 µm for clarity) across the boundary of the bioplastic laminate, moving from the pure PHBHx layer to the pure PLA layer.
Gradual spectral changes over the space much greater than the optical resolution suggest the mixed distribution of PLA and PHBHx without any sharp boundary.
No clear isosbestic point indicates that the system is not a simple binary mixture.
PLA and PHBHx contributions are overlapped and mingled in the fingerprint region
Simultaneous O-PTIR & Raman with heating and cooling accessory
This data shows the spectroscopy results of heating and cooling a biodegradable polymer. The polymer was heated from 40 to 160 deg C in 10 degree increments. The IR and Raman measurements were taken simultaneously at each temperature point, at the same location. The use of the heater cooler stage supports sub-micron resolution O-PTIR measurements.
The heating and cooling stage enables measurements of IR and Raman spectra below or above ambient temperatures for ageing, stability, and morphology studies. The access Includes Peltier temperature control element and controller drives.
Application note:
Sub-micron, simultaneous and non-contact IR+Raman spectroscopy for direct fiber characterization.
Webinar:
Forensic paint analysis with simultaneous submicron O-PTIR and Raman microspectroscopy.
Application note:
Comprehensive multilayer laminate film analysis using submicron simultaneous IR+Raman spectroscopy
Webinars
- Polymers
Submicron simultaneous IR+Raman – Breakthrough research from life sciences to cultural heritage to polymers
- March 10, 2022
- Polymers
Bioplastics characterization – Polymer applications using sub-micron simultaneous IR+Raman spectroscopy
- April 16, 2020
Need more information?
Discover how O-PTIR technology can elevate your research or help solve your toughest challenges. Our team are happy to assist and answer your questions.
