Spectroscopic Techniques for Polymer Characterization

With its focus on the characterization of nanocomposites using such techniques as x-ray diffraction and spectrometry, light and electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, as well as nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy, this book helps to correctly interpret the recorded data. Each chapter introduces a particular characterization method, along with its foundations, and makes the user aware of its benefits, but also of its drawbacks. As a result, the reader will be able to reliably predict the microstructure of the synthesized polymer nanocomposite and its thermal and mechanical properties, and so assess its suitability for a particular application. Belongs on the shelf of every product engineer.

The book series 'Polymer Nano-, Micro- and Macrocomposites' provides complete and comprehensive information on all important aspects of polymer composite research and development, including, but not limited to synthesis, filler modification, modeling, characterization as well as application and commercialization issues. Each book focuses on a particular topic and gives a balanced in-depth overview of the respective subfield of polymer composite science and its relation to industrial applications. With the books the readers obtain dedicated resources with information relevant to their research, thereby helping to save time and money. Summarizing all the most important synthesis techniques used in the lab as well as in industry, this book is comprehensive in its coverage from chemical, physical and mechanical viewpoints. This book helps readers to choose the correct synthesis route, such as suspension and miniemulsion polymerization, living polymerization, sonication, mechanical methods or the use of radiation, and so achieve the desired composite properties.

Written by scientists from leading institutes in Germany, USA and Spain who use these techniques as the core of their scientific work and who have a precise idea of what is relevant for photovoltaic devices, this text contains concise and comprehensive lecture-like chapters on specific research methods. They focus on emerging, specialized techniques that are new to the field of photovoltaics yet have a proven relevance. However, since new methods need to be judged according to their implications for photovoltaic devices, a clear introductory chapter describes the basic physics of thin-film solar cells and modules, providing a guide to the specific advantages that are offered by each individual method. The choice of subjects is a representative cross-section of those methods enjoying a high degree of visibility in recent scientific literature. Furthermore, they deal with specific device-related topics and include a selection of material and surface/interface analysis methods that have recently proven their relevance. Finally, simulation techniques are presented that are used for ab-initio calculations of relevant semiconductors and for device simulations in 1D and 2D. For students in physics, solid state physicists, materials scientists, PhD students in material sciences, materials institutes, semiconductor physicists, and those working in the semiconductor industry, as well as being suitable as supplementary reading in related courses.

Now in its second edition, this continues to serve as an ideal textbook for introductory courses on materials characterization, based on the author's experience in teaching advanced undergraduate and postgraduate university students. The new edition retains the successful didactical concept of introductions at the beginning of chapters, exercise questions and an online solution manual. In addition, all the sections have been thoroughly revised, updated and expanded, with two major new topics (electron backscattering diffraction and environmental scanning electron microscopy), as well as fifty additional questions – in total about 20% new content. The first part covers commonly used methods for microstructure analysis, including light microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, as well as scanning probe microscopy. The second part of the book is concerned with techniques for chemical analysis and introduces X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, fluorescence X-ray spectroscopy and such popular surface analysis techniques as photoelectron and secondary ion mass spectroscopy. This section concludes with the two most important vibrational spectroscopies (infra-red and Raman) and the increasingly important thermal analysis. The theoretical concepts are discussed with a minimal involvement of mathematics and physics, and the technical aspects are presented with the actual measurement practice in mind. Making for an easy-to-read text, the book never loses sight of its intended audience.

Indentation techniques have become widely used in the characterization of brittle solids due to their simplicity, cost effectiveness, rapidness, and maybe most importantly, the indenter itself can be used as a mechanical microprobe in thin films, interfaces, grain boundaries, and nanocomposites. The papers in these proceedings cover measurement techniques, reliability of, and problems associated with this testing method. Also included is the application of nano-indentation technique, as a new frontier in brittle solids characterization, e.g., thin film and nano-composite materials. Proceedings of the symposium held at the 105th Annual Meeting of The American Ceramic Society, April 27-30, in Nashville, Tennessee; Ceramic Transactions, Volume 156.

Covering a broad range of polymer science topics, Handbook of Polymer Synthesis, Characterization, and Processing provides polymer industry professionals and researchers in polymer science and technology with a single, comprehensive handbook summarizing all aspects involved in the polymer production chain. The handbook focuses on industrially important polymers, analytical techniques, and formulation methods, with chapters covering step-growth, radical, and co-polymerization, crosslinking and grafting, reaction engineering, advanced technology applications, including conjugated, dendritic, and nanomaterial polymers and emulsions, and characterization methods, including spectroscopy, light scattering, and microscopy.

SPECTROSCOPY FOR MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION Learn foundational and advanced spectroscopy techniques from leading researchers in physics, chemistry, surface science, and nanoscience In Spectroscopy for Materials Characterization, accomplished researcher Simonpietro Agnello delivers a practical and accessible compilation of various spectroscopy techniques taught and used to today. The book offers a wide-ranging approach taught by leading researchers working in physics, chemistry, surface science, and nanoscience. It is ideal for both new students and advanced researchers studying and working with spectroscopy. Topics such as confocal and two photon spectroscopy, as well as infrared absorption and Raman and micro-Raman spectroscopy, are discussed, as are thermally stimulated luminescence and spectroscopic studies of radiation effects on optical materials. Each chapter includes a basic introduction to the theory necessary to understand a specific technique, details about the characteristic instrumental features and apparatuses used, including tips for the appropriate arrangement of a typical experiment, and a reproducible case study that shows the discussed techniques used in a real laboratory. Readers will benefit from the inclusion of: Complete and practical case studies at the conclusion of each chapter to highlight the concepts and techniques discussed in the material Citations of additional resources ideal for further study A thorough introduction to the basic aspects of radiation matter interaction in the visible-ultraviolet range and the fundamentals of absorption and emission A rigorous exploration of time resolved spectroscopy at the nanosecond and femtosecond intervals Perfect for Master and Ph.D. students and researchers in physics, chemistry, engineering, and biology, Spectroscopy for Materials Characterization will also earn a place in the libraries of materials science researchers and students seeking a one-stop reference to basic and advanced spectroscopy techniques.

Bringing together experts from the various disciplines involved, this first comprehensive overview of the current level of stress engineering on the nanoscale is unique in combining the theoretical fundamentals with simulation methods, model systems and characterization techniques. Essential reading for researchers in microelectronics, optoelectronics, sensing, and photonics.

Introduces basic knowledge for nanomaterial characterization focusing on key properties and the different analytical techniques available Provides a quick reference to different analytical methods for a given property highlighting their pros and cons Presents numerous case studies, ranging from characterizing nanomaterials in coffee creamer suspension to measurement of airborne dust exposure levels Provides an introduction to other topics that are strongly related to nanomaterial characterization e.g. synthesis, reference material and metrology Includes state of the art techniques: scanning tunneling microscopy under extreme conditions, novel strategy for biological characterization and methods to visualize multidimensional characterization data

The First International Conference on Polyolefin Characterization (ICPC) held in Houston, Texas, in October 2006, was organized to fill the important industrial and academic need for a discussion forum on the characterization and fractionation techniques of polyolefins. These proceedings represent an excellent and up-to-date overview of recent advances in this important area, providing much information and facts that are not available elsewhere. The result is a collection of top quality contributions by experienced editors and international authors on such fields as separation and fractionation, high throughput processes, thermal and crystallinity analysis, spectroscopy and rheology. Equally of high interest for the polymer industry.