Polymer matrix type

The above method gives beads of gel-type polymer matrix. Porous beads can be made by incorporating a component (for example, styrene homopolymer) that is soluble in the monomer mixture. After polymerization this component is removed from the matrix with, for example, toluene, thus leaving pores within the structure in the final product. 

Chiral synthetic polymer phases can be classified into three types. In one type, a polymer matrix is formed in the presence of an optically pure compound to moleculady imprint the polymer matrix (Fig. 10) (107,108). Subsequent to the polymerisation, the chiral template is removed, leaving the polymer matrix... 

For two-photon memories, a number of media types and reading mechanisms have been used (165). Generally, media comprise two photon-absorbing chromophores dissolved within a soHd polymer matrix. Suitable reversible photochromic dyes are, for example, spiropyrans. Although photochromic materials often suffer from photobleaching, as well as from instability leading to self-erasure, new materials and host environments are under development (172). Bacteriorhodopsin (BR) also has been proposed as a two-photon memory material. 

Distinction is also made among electrophoretic techniques in terms of the type of matrix employed for analysis. Matrices include polymer gels such as agarose and polyacrjiamide, paper, capillaries, and flowing buffers. Each matrix is used for different types of mixtures, and each has unique advantages. 

Truly porous, synthetic ion exchangers are also available. These materials retain their porosity even after removal of the solvent and have measurable surface areas and pore size. The term macroreticular is commonly used for resins prepared from a phase separation technique, where the polymer matrix is prepared with the addition of a hq-uid that is a good solvent for the monomers, but in which the polymer is insoluble. Matrices prepared in this way usually have the appearance of a conglomerate of gel-type microspheres held together to... 

In contrast, the alkane chains on the polymeric phase cannot collapse in an environment of water as they are rigidly held in the polymer matrix. Thus, the retention of the solute now continuously falls as the methanol concentration increases as shown in Figure 4. It should be pointed out that if the nature of the solutestationary phase interactions on the surface of a bonded phase is to be examined in a systematic manner with solvents having very high water contents, then a polymeric phase should be used and brush type reversed phases avoided if possible. 

Those basic matrix selection factors are used as bases for comparing the four principal types of matrix materials, namely polymers, metals, carbons, and ceramics, listed in Table 7-1. Obviously, no single matrix material is best for all selection factors. However, if high temperatures and other extreme environmental conditions are not an issue, polymer-matrix materials are the most suitable constituents, and that is why so many current applications involve polymer matrices. In fact, those applications are the easiest and most straightforward for composite materials. Ceramic-matrix or carbon-matrix materials must be used in high-temperature applications or under severe environmental conditions. Metal-matrix materials are generally more suitable than polymers for moderately high-temperature applications or for modest environmental conditions other than elevated temperature. 

Polymer-matrix materials include a wide range of specific materials. Perhaps the most commonly used polymer is epoxy. Other polymers include vinyl ester and polyester. Polymers can be either of the thermoset type, where cross-linking of polymer chains is irreversible, or of the thermoplastic type, where cross-linking does not take place but the matrix only hardens and can be softened and hardened repeatedly. For example, thermoplastics can be heated and reheated, as is essential to any injection-molding process. In contrast, thermosets do not melt upon reheating, so they cannot be injection molded. Polyimides have a higher temperature limit than epoxies (650°F versus 250°F or 350°F) (343°C versus 121°C or 177°C), but are much more brittle and considerably harder to process. 

Three main types of composites can be formed when the layered clay is incorporated with a polymer, as shown in Figure 2 (Alexandre and Dubois, 2000). Types of composites formed mostly depend on the nature of the components used (layered silicate, organic cation and polymer matrix) and the method of preparation. 

Incorporation into a Polymer Layer In recent years a new electrode type is investigated which represents a layer of conducting polymer (such as polyaniline) into which a metal catalyst is incorporated by chemical or electrochemical deposition. In some cases the specific catalytic activity of the platinum crystallites incorporated into the polymer layer was found to be higher than that of ordinary dispersed platinum, probably because of special structural features of the platinum crystallites produced within the polymer matrix. A variant of this approach is that of incorporating the disperse catalyst directly into the surface layer of a solid polymer electrolyte. 

---