ABSTRACT
Polymeric materials in various forms contribute substantially to materials in general. They exhibit a difference in behaviors and functionalities than conventional materials. However, to understand the behavioral changes of polymers and polymer nanocomposites (NCs) their property profile has to be understood which reflects upon their chemistry, functionality, morphology, particle size, etc. which further decides the application for which it can be used. However, to get a better insight into its characterization using various analytical tools is a must. Different analytical tools are used for the internal and external elucidation of structure, and to understand the surface chemistry and thereby the behavior of the synthesized polymers and polymer NCs. A number of characterization tools which are put into use include thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy (RS), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), electron spin resonance (ESR), continuous wave and pulsed ESR spectroscopy, etc. to unravel properties like mechanical performance, fire behavior, barrier performance, biodegradability, rheological properties, PVT characterization, tribological behavior, etc. At times hyphenated or coupled techniques too are required to be used to characterize the 132material both qualitatively and quantitatively accurately. For example, the intercalated and exfoliated NCs are characterized using wide-angle x-ray diffraction (WAXRD) in conjunction with TEM for the examination of both intercalation and filler exfoliation together.
