Synchrotron IR microspectroscopy: Opportunities in polymer science

Abstract

The last decade has seen a spectacular growth in the use of synchrotron-based IR sources for infrared microspectroscopy. The unique features of coupling synchrotron radiation into commercial IR microscopes at IR beamlines gives access to spatially resolved infrared spectra with superior signal-to-noise characteristics. Specific features of the technique are discussed with particular emphasis on its application to the study of polymeric materials, with examples from a series of heterogeneous polymeric systems, including semicrystalline polymers and blends, reinforced composites and microstructured polymer membranes.