Experimental characterization techniques protocol

Photophysical processes can be used to probe the local structure of organized systems that are difficult to characterize by conventional analytical protocols. Photophysical probes provide valuable structural information for monolayers assembled on metal supports and for polymeric composites. In the latter case, it has been possible to determine the level of thermal residual strain and to monitor architectural deformations. Fluorescence from single molecules continues to attract great attention while the dynamics of photodissociative processes have been reviewed, with emphasis given to experimental techniques. ... 

Various experimental techniques were employed to characterize the prepared samples. Often, several methods are required to be applied simultaneously to control the consecutive stages of preparation protocol. 

In developing standard DSC methods for characterization of pharmaceuticals, use was made of experimental design to determine the best protocol [25]. Sample size, heating rate, atmosphere (air or nitrogen), crucible type (open, crimped, pinhole, crimped with pin hole) and relative humidity were included in an evaluation of technique and recommendations were made for the best procedure. In this investigation, data derived from benzoic acid and vanillin... 

Contact angle measurement is commonly used to characterize a surface and to study various wetting and de-wetting phenomena While the measurement is simple, the interpretation is not. This point has been noted by many surface investigators in the past, e.g.. Pease in 1945 [25], Morra et al. [26] in 1990, Kwok and Neumann [27] in 1999 and more recently by Marmur [28] as well as Strobel and Lyons [29]. Prior to data interpretation, one has to make sure that the measurement apparatus and procedures are impeccable. Over the years, many have voiced concerns over surface preparation and conditioning, measuranent procedure and technique, and data analysis [26,30-35]. It is therefore imperative for the community to have a set of common measurement protocol or guideline, so that inter laboratory data can be compared. Discrepancy in conclusion can be rationalized without concerns of experimental setups or procedures. 

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