This book introduces the techniques used for the analysis of polymers. It covers the main aspects of polymer science and technology; identification, polymerization, molecular weight, structure, surface properties, degradation and mechanical properties. * Clear explanations of each analytical technique * Describes the application of techniques to the study of polymers * Encourages learning through numerous self-assessment questions and answers * Structured for flexible learning

This book reviews the various thermal methods used for the characterisation of polymer properties and composition. All these methods study the properties of polymers as they change with temperature. The methods discussed in this book are: differential photocalorimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, dielectric thermal analysis, differential thermal analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, evolved gas analysis, gas chromatography, gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry, mass spectrometry, microthermal analysis, thermal volatilisation, thermogravimetric analysis and thermomechanical analysis. Each technique is discussed in detail and examples of the use of each technique are also given. Each chapter has an extensive list of references so that the reader can follow up topics of interest. This book will be a useful reference for those who already use any of these thermal methods but will also be of interest to undergraduates and those who are just starting to use these techniques.

Principles and Practices of Polymer Mass Spectrometry helps readers acquire the skills necessary for selecting the optimal methods, handling samples, analyzing the data, and interpreting the results of the mass spectrometry of polymers. This guide describes the principles of polymer MS and best practices in polymer characterization. It discusses different approaches, including MALDI, ESI, TOF MS, and FT-MS. It provides a guide to developing appropriate sample preparation protocols for different polymers. Complete with examples of applications and experiments, this is an excellent reference for scientists, researchers, graduate students, and others.

The combination of chromatography with mass spectroscopy is a very useful technique which is being increasingly used by polymer chemists to improve existing polymers and to discover new ones with specific physical properties such as thermal stability and retention of properties over a long service life.This technique is extremely powerful for the analysis and characterisation of polymers and is often based on the use of controlled chromatography - mass spectroscopy to measure a polymer's decomposition with techniques such as pyrolysis, followed by chromatography to separate any breakdown product, and, finally, mass spectroscopy, to achieve an unequivocal identification of the pyrolysis products obtained. The detail that can be obtained by such methods includes structure of the polymer backbone, branching, end groups, isomeric detail and fine detail in the structure of copolymers.The first three chapters of the book discuss the various chromatographic and mass spectroscopic techniques now available.Chapters 3-8 cover the complementary methods, based on the combination of mass spectroscopy with various chromatographic techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography and supercritical fluid chromatography.Pyrolysis chromatography-mass spectroscopy is a method of studying the structure of polymers which involves subjecting the polymer pyrolysis products to a chromatographic technique to simplify subsequent analysis and, finally mass spectroscopy to identify the pyrolysis products with the possibility of deducing finer details of polymer structure than were previously attainable by classical methods (Chapters 9-11).By providing a thorough up-to-date review of work in this field it is hoped that the book will be of interest to all those engaged in polymer research and development, and polymer users in general.

Presents the methods used for characterization of polymers. In addition to theory and basic principles, the instrumentation and apparatus necessary for methods used to study the kinetic and thermodynamic interactions of a polymer with its environment are covered in detail. Some of the methods examined include polymer separations and characterization by size exclusion and high performance chromatography, inverse gas chromatography, osmometry, viscometry, ultracentrifugation, light scattering and spectroscopy.

Polymer Analysis, Degradation & Stabilization

The techniques which are particularly relevant to polymer characterisation are evaluated in this new report. For each technique the author describes the method of operation and the output obtained, and then considers its application to polymer characterisation. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database provides useful references for further reading.

The two companion volumes of "Advances in Polymer Science" - Volumes 150 and 151 - deal with recent progress in the characterization of polymers, mostly in solution but also at surfaces. The contributions comprise multidimensional chromatography for elucidation, the composition and the chain length distribution of copolymers, capillary electrophoresis of synthetic water-soluble polymers including polyelectrolytes, field flow fractionation techniques for quick and reliable separation and characterization of broad polymer samples and a novel application of thermal grating experiments for probing Brownian and thermal diffusion. Finally the rapid development of atomic forces techniques is reviewed with particular emphasis on the visualization of macromolecules and the patterning of surfaces.

Discerning the properties of polymers and polymer-based materials requires a good understanding of characterization. This revised and updated text provides a comprehensive survey of characterization methods within its simple, concise chapters. Polymer Characterization: Physical Techniques, provides an overview of a wide variety of characterization methods, which makes it an excellent textbook and reference. It starts with a description of basic polymer science, providing a solid foundation from which to understand the key physical characterization techniques. The authors explain physical principles without heavy theory and give special emphasis to the application of the techniques to polymers, with plenty of illustrations. Topics covered include molecular weight determination, molecular and structural characterization by spectroscopic techniques, morphology and structural characterization by microscopy and diffraction, and thermal analysis. This edition contains a new chapter on surface analysis as well as some revised problems and solutions. The concise treatment of each topic offers even those with little prior knowledge of the subject an accessible source to relevant, simple descriptions in a well-organized format.