Process spectroscopy,—characterization viscosity

Fluorescence spectroscopy offers several inherent advantages for the characterization of molecular interactions and reactions. Firstly, it is 100-1000 times more sensitive than other spectrophotometric techniques. Secondly, fluorescent compounds are extremely sensitive to their environment. For example, vitamin A that is buried in the hydrophobic interior of a fat globule has fluorescent properties different from molecules that are in an aqueous solution. This environmental sensitivity enables characterization of viscosity changes such as those attributable to the thermal modifications of triglyceride structure, as well as the interactions of vitamin A with proteins. Third, most fluorescence methods are relatively rapid (less than 1 s with a Charge Coupled Device detector). One particularly advantageous property of fluorescence is that one can actually see it since it involves the emission of photons. The technique is suitable for at-line and on/in-line process control. 

Fluoropolymers have been used as processing aids because small quantities can reduce signih-cantly the overall viscosity and thus facilitate extrusion. Feng et al. [1996] examined the mechanism of viscosity reduction in the capillary flow of HDPE/fluoroelastomer blends. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, used to characterize the composition of the extmdates surface, indicated only very small traces of the fluoroelastomer on the extrudate, pointing to the fact that the viscosity reduction is due to adhesive failure between the fluoropolymer layer and HOPE. 

Structural changes that occur during the Yoldas process (and variations of this general procedure) have been characterized by several groups employing NMR [177,178] or Al NMR in combination with Raman [172] and IR [174] spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography [175], or viscosity measurements [173]. Olson and Bauer [178] closely followed the Yoldas procedure (Fig. 22) and observed A1 NMR spectra (Fig. 26) consistent with... 

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