Analysis and Characterisation

Identification and sorting of plastics in waste materials were reviewed [19,31]. Garbassi [32] has stressed the important role played by polymer analysis and characterisation in plastics recycling. 

M.J. Forrest, in Developments in Polymer Analysis and Characterisation, Rapra Technology Ltd, Shawbury (1999), Paper 4. 

Table 5.13 Typical uses of NMR in polymer analysis and characterisation...

Having said this, it was felt therefore that there is a need for a book addressing analysis and characterisation of polymers from the point of view of what we wish to call the primary analytical question. Many excellent textbooks and reference works exist which address one or more individual analytical techniques, see, for example, references [1-10]. These books form the basis of the knowledge of the technique expert. They also contain many excellent and varied examples on successful applications of analytical techniques to polymer analysis and characterisation. There are also books which address the multitude of analytical techniques applied in polymer analysis, see, for example, references [11-24], However, a synthetic chemist may wish to know the constitution of his/her polymer chain, a material scientist may want to find out the reasons why a fabricated sample had failed. What technique is best or optimal to study chain constitution will depend on the situation. Polymer failure may result from morphological features, which needs to be avoided, a contaminant, a surface property degradation, etc. When a sample has been processed, e.g., a film blown, molecular orientation may be the key parameter to be studied. A formulation scientist may wish to know why an additive from a different supplier performs differently. It is from such points of view that polymer analysis and characterisation is addressed in this book. 

Table 1 (a) Summary of the techniques used for molecular analysis and characterisation of... 

Seven primary cellulose triacetate fractions were Isolated by this method. The first primary fraction rich in hemlcellulose was redissolved and reprecipitated into three subfractions in the same way as described above. The refractionation of the first fraction was necessary to isolate the hemlcellulose material for subsequent analysis and characterisation. 

J. Chiu in Applied Polymer Analysis and Characterisation Recent Developments in Techniques, Instrumentation, Problem Solving, Ed., J. Mitchell, Hanser Publishers, Munich, Germany, 1987, 175. 

J.R. Parker, Photoacoustic Analysis of Ethylene-Propylene (EPM) Copolymers, Poster Presentation, ISPAC-10, 10th International Symposium on Polymer Analysis and Characterisation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada, 1997. 

Reproduced with permission from K. Ute and K. Hatada, International Journal of Polymer Analysis and Characterisation, 1999, 5, 47, Figure 3. Copyright 1999, Academic Press... 

Analysis and characterisation of colorants involves many steps with a range of factors that need to be taken into consideration and not only during the actual analysis. It cannot be emphasised strongly enough that the key steps, in nearly all characterisation tests and analytical measurements, are those that occur before the sample goes anywhere near a characterisation/analytical instrument. 

In dealing with materials evaluation, analysis and characterisation, it is worth considering a few general observations ... 

All analysis and characterisation exercises produce results of one type or another. One major skill lies in being able to establish that the results can be relied upon. Another quality rests in having knowledgeable personnel who can interpret such results, putting them into a meaningful context, whereby appropriate conclusions can be drawn and action can be taken. 

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy is now one of the most popular techniques in analytical chemishy, this technology having several advantages compared to conventional dispersive infrared inshuments. Developments in instrument hardware, in computer software (usually by the instrument manufacturers) and in computing power generally has resulted in very powerful data collection and data handling systems for the analysis and characterisation of all sorts of materials including colorants. 

S.Z.D. Cheng Polymer Analysis and Characterisation, Applied Polymer Symposium 43, editor H.G. Barth, New York (1989) p. 336. 

Larsen, KLandW Zimmermann (1999). Analysis and characterisation of cyclodetxrins and thier inclusion complexes by affinity capillary electrophoresis. Journal of Chromatography A, 836, 3-14. 

Jurriens, G. (1968) in Analysis and Characterisation of Oils and Fats and Fat Production (ed. H.A. Boekenoogen), Vol 2, Interscience, London, New York, Sydney. Kapoulas, V.M. and Passaloglou-Emmanouilidou, S. 

Boekenoogen, H.A. (1964) Analysis and Characterisation of Oils, Fats and Fat Products, Vol. 1, Wiley, New York. 

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