Size-specific chemical characterization

The characterization methods used in the analysis of the chemical structure, microstructure, and morphology as well as the physical properties of the nanocomposites are varied. Many of these techniques are specific for characterization of particular properties of nanocomposites, and the properties of nanocomposites are also correspondingly discussed. To fully understand the structure-property relationships, several characterization techniques are often used. The properties of the polymer blend nanocomposites strongly depend on their composition, size of the particles, interfacial interaction, etc [35],... 

A fundamental requirement in powder processing is characterization of the as-received powders (10—12). Many powder suppHers provide information on tap and pour densities, particle size distributions, specific surface areas, and chemical analyses. Characterization data provided by suppHers should be checked and further augmented where possible with in-house characterization. Uniaxial characterization compaction behavior, in particular, is easily measured and provides data on the nature of the agglomerates in a powder (13,14). 

The most commonly measured pigment properties ate elemental analysis, impurity content, crystal stmcture, particle size and shape, particle size distribution, density, and surface area. These parameters are measured so that pigments producers can better control production, and set up meaningful physical and chemical pigments specifications. Measurements of these properties ate not specific only to pigments. The techniques appHed are commonly used to characterize powders and soHd materials and the measutiag methods have been standardized ia various iadustries. 

Chemical separations may first be accomplished by partitioning on the basis of polarity into a series of solvents from non-polar hexane to very polar compounds like methanol. Compounds may also be separated by molecular size, charge, or adsorptive characteristics, etc. Various chromatography methods are utilized, including columns, thin layer (TLC) gas-liquid (GLC), and more recently, high pressure liquid (HPLC) systems. HPLC has proven particularly useful for separations of water soluble compounds from relatively crude plant extracts. Previously, the major effort toward compound identification involved chemical tests to detect specific functional groups, whereas characterization is now usually accomplished by using a... 

A wide range of physical constants, for instance melting point, boiling point, specific gravity, viscosity, refractive index, solubility, polymorphic forms vis-a-vis particle size, in addition to characteristic absorption features and optical rotation play a vital role in characterization of pharmaceutical chemicals and drug substances. These physical constants will be discussed briefly with typical examples as under ... 

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