Infrared spectroscopy chemically modified rubbers

Application of Infrared Spectroscopy to Characterise Chemically Modified Rubbers. .. 

Infrared spectroscopy is one of the most important tools used to characterise the chemical structure, composition and microstructure of different polymers [8-10]. In earlier chapters, the principles and applications of infrared (IR) spectroscopy in the characterisation of rubbers have been discussed. This chapter describes how IR spectroscopy can be used to characterise different types of chemically modified elastomers. 

IR spectroscopy can be used to characterise not only different rubbers, but also to understand the structural changes due to the chemical modification of the rubbers. The chemical methods normally used to modify rubbers include hydrogenation, halogenation, hydrosilylation, phosphonylation and sulfonation. The effects of oxidation, weathering and radiation on the polymer structure can be studied with the help of infrared spectroscopy. Formation of ionic polymers and ionomeric polyblends behaving as thermoplastic elastomers can be followed by this method. Infrared spectroscopy in conjunction with other techniques is an important tool to characterise polymeric materials. 

The polymers described in this chapter are industrial-grade materials, and consequently some of the examples may contain additives and/or may be chemically modified. Polymers in various morphological forms may be analyzed, and these include films, fibers, solid pelletized and powdered products, and dissolved/dispersed materials in liquids such as paints and latex products. Also, the same base polymer, such as a styrene-butadiene copolymer, for example, may exist in a rubber, a resin, or a plastic. In general, reference will not be made to the original source of the polymer samples. Because infrared spectroscopy is more widely used than the Raman method, the authors will focus more on the applications of this technique. However, the Raman method, which is complementary to the IR method, does have important and unique applications in the polymer analysis, especially with regard to the determination of the fundamental polymer structure and its... 

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