Raman Applications
Polymer

Raman spectroscopy provides a method to study many chemical bonds but it is particularly sensitive to the study of both homonuclear bonds and backbone vibrations.  This sensitivity is especially useful for the study of monomers and polymers. 

Application areas include reaction monitoring for:

• Chemical composition
• Control of polymerization reactions
• Block and co-polymer formation

Raman microscopy or in situ Raman may be used to evaluate and control the level of crystallinity in a polymer during processes, or identify different phases within a polymer blend.  Physical properties including density can, in some cases, also be predicted during manufacturing.

In situ measurement is possible using Kaiser’s comprehensive range of sampling interfaces including:

• Polymerization (extent and chemical ID)
• Film or fiber crystallinity
• Cross-linking (degree of)
• Hydrogenation (extent, end-point)
• Extrusion ("in die" extrusion measurements with high pressure probe)
• Blending

Contact a Kaiser Expert to discuss your applications needs.

Further information on polymers and Raman applications can be found in Handbook of Raman Spectroscopy:  From Laboratory to Process Line by Ian R. Lewis and Howell G. M. Edwards, Marcel Dekker, New York, New York (2001)