Real-time chemical measurements

The mby fluorescence method allows us to perform pressure measurements in a short time scale (1-10 s), providing a real-time access for pressure control comparing to the time scale of many solid-state chemical processes. As a matter of fact, real-time pressure measurements are necessary when studying kinetic processes [117], but it is also important to minimize the laser power used for measuring the mby fluorescence in order to avoid undesired photochemical effects on the sample, whenever these are possible. In the case of IR absorption studies, which are commonly used for kinetic purposes, the advantage of using the mby fluorescence method, once photochemical effects are prevented, with respect to the employment of vibrational gauges is that no additional absorption bands are introduced in the IR spectmm. 

The starting point in the kinetic analysis of the oxidation of polypropylene is the measurement of the extent of oxidation of the polymer as a function of time. In rheological and processing studies it is difficult to obtain real-time chemical information, and many of the chemical changes are elucidated after processing by analysis of the polymer product... 

Possibly several of these remaining puzzles are interrelated. Until cause-and-effect relationships can be established, there remain uncertainties about predictions of long-term behaviour of freeze-dried preparations, based solely on physical measurements in real time. For safety considerations alone, therefore, reliable predictions will presumably have to involve laborious and time-consuming real-time chemical assays. 

Analysis of the headspace above a sample is an alternative to direct measurement and chemical extraction techniques. Instrumentation for the detection of headspace volatiles includes an array of gas sensors (electronic noses), online real-time chemical ionization apparatus, etc. Some of these instrumental analysis methods are described below. 

Acoustic Wave Sensors. Another emerging physical transduction technique involves the use of acoustic waves to detect the accumulation of species in or on a chemically sensitive film. This technique originated with the use of quartz resonators excited into thickness-shear resonance to monitor vacuum deposition of metals (11). The device is operated in an oscillator configuration. Changes in resonant frequency are simply related to the areal mass density accumulated on the crystal face. These sensors, often referred to as quartz crystal microbalances (QCMs), have been coated with chemically sensitive films to produce gas and vapor detectors (12), and have been operated in solution as Hquid-phase microbalances (13). A dual QCM that has one smooth surface and one textured surface can be used to measure both the density and viscosity of many Hquids in real time (14). 

The STEM Is Ideally suited for the characterization of these materials, because one Is normally measuring high atomic number elements In low atomic number metal oxide matrices, thus facilitating favorable contrast effects for observation of dispersed metal crystallites due to diffraction and elastic scattering of electrons as a function of Z number. The ability to observe and measure areas 2 nm In size In real time makes analysis of many metal particles relatively rapid and convenient. As with all techniques, limitations are encountered. Information such as metal surface areas, oxidation states of elements, chemical reactivity, etc., are often desired. Consequently, additional Input from other characterization techniques should be sought to complement the STEM data. 

With further understanding how molecular rotors interact with their environment and with application-specific chemical modifications, a more widespread use of molecular rotors in biological and chemical studies can be expected. Ratiometric dyes and lifetime imaging will enable accurate viscosity measurements in cells where concentration gradients exist. The examination of polymerization dynamics benefits from the use of molecular rotors because of their real-time response rates. Presently, the reaction may force the reporters into specific areas of the polymer matrix, for example, into water pockets, but targeted molecular rotors that integrate with the matrix could prevent this behavior. With their relationship to free volume, the field of fluid dynamics can benefit from molecular rotors, because the applicability of viscosity models (DSE, Gierer-Wirtz, free volume, and WLF models) can be elucidated. Lastly, an important field of development is the surface-immobilization of molecular rotors, which promises new solid-state sensors for microviscosity [145]. 

Another method to detect energy transfer directly is to measure the concentration or amount of acceptor that has undergone an excited state reaction by means other than detecting its fluorescence. For instance, by chemical analysis or chromatographic analysis of the product of a reaction involving excited A [117, 118]. An early application of this determined the photolyzed A molecules by absorption spectroscopic analysis. [119-121], This can be a powerful method, because it does not depend on expensive instrumentation however, it lacks real-time observation, and requires subsequent manipulation. For this reason, fluorescence is the usual method of detection of the sensitized excitation of the acceptor. If it is possible to excite the donor without exciting the acceptor, then the rate of photolysis of the acceptor (which is an excited state reaction) can be used to calculate the FRET efficiency [122],... 

The most common methodology for measuring fast kinetics in real time is to perturb a system at equilibrium for a time duration that is much shorter than the relaxation kinetics that follow perturbation. This perturbation can be achieved by changing the concentration of chemicals through fast mixing (stopped-flow), changing the temperature of the solution (temperature jump), simultaneously changing the... 

A technique is described [228] for solving a set of dynamic material/energy balances every few seconds in real time through the use of a minicomputer. This dynamic thermal analysis technique is particular useful in batch and semi-batch operations. The extent of the chemical reaction is monitored along with the measurement of heat transfer data versus time, which can be particularly useful in reactions such as polymerizations, where there is a significant change in viscosity of the reaction mixture with time. 

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