ΙΝΣΤΙΤΟΥΤΟ ΘΕΩΡΗΤΙΚΗΣ & ΦΥΣΙΚΗΣ ΧΗΜΕΙΑΣ

 
  Σύνθεση και Φυσικοχημεία Υλικών
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  'Εργα Εξωτερικής Χρηματοδότησης

Σύνθεση και Φυσικοχημεία Υλικών

Process monitoring by synchronous mid- and near-infrared spectroscopy

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) has great capacity for process monitoring applications but usually suffers from lack of detailed assignments, such as those typically available for the mid-infrared. To overcome this problem we have designed an environmental cell that combines single reflection diamond ATR with fiber optical NIR acquisition. The cell allows for the high-resolution and real-time synchronous characterization of samples in film form as a function of hydration and drying, adsorption of gaseous molecules etc. We apply synchronous mid- and near- infrared spectral acquisition to study processes involving the interaction of gases with polymers, proteins, pharmaceuticals and hydrous minerals

Combined diamond ATR and optical fiber probe for the synchronous measurement of mid- and near infrared spectra of solids. Gas input and output ports allow for the real-time monitoring of hydration / deuteration, adsorption or drying processes. The cell couples two FTIR spectrometers, optimized in the mid- and near-infrared regions (not shown).

Synchronous mid- and near- infrared study of stepwise dehydration and deuteration of a hydrous phyllosilicates mineral.

Contact

G. D. Chryssikos and V. Gionis
Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute,
National Hellenic Research Foundation,
48 Vassileos Constantinou Ave.,
Athens 11635, Greece

Tel.: +30 210 7273819 and 7273820
FAX: +30 210 7273794
Email: gdchryss, vgionis



Real time monitoring of micelle adsorption on solid surfaces

Micelles (or colloidal particles) are formed when a sufficient number of amphiphilic (macro)molecules are dissolved in a solvent that is good for one of its parts and bad for the other. The part avoiding the solvent forms the nucleus of the micelle. In contact with the colloidal solution, a solid surface with affinity to the nucleus will cause adsorption of the micelles and their relaxation to maximize their interaction with the surface. Controlling the adsorbed layer, which is typically thinner than 100 nm, is important in designing modified surfaces in terms of wettability, friction, adhesion, corrosion, optical properties, biocompatibility etc.

At TPCI, we employ Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) in the mid-infrared to monitor in real-time the adsorption of micelles on solid surfaces in the presence of the colloidal solution. The technique is suitable for both aqueous and organic systems. It offers temporal resolution of a few seconds and long term stability of several days. Unlike force measurements, ellipsometry or surface plasmon spectroscopy, the technique monitors the evolution of the vibrational spectrum of the adsorbed layer. Thus, it is particularly sensitive to subtle changes in local order or chemical interactions accompanying adsorption. It can be used with polarized light to study molecular orientation effects.


Adsoprtion from a colloidal solution of the diblock copolymer poly(tert-butyl styrene - b - styrene sulfonate), PtBS41-PSS830 (100 ppm in 0.5M NaCl/H2O), on the surface of germanium. The spectral evolution during the first hour of a 5-day experiment is shown (from back to front). The spectra have been measured on a 6-reflection ATR accessory mounted on a Bruker Optics Equinox 55 FTIR spectrometer.

The 2nd derivative spectra are used for monitoring adsorption in order to enhance the resolution of the sharp localized sulfonate and para-substituted ring vibrational modes from the much broader spectrum of water. Excess surface densities, Γ, can be calculated from Infrared absorbance data and extinction coefficients defined from transmission measurements. Although adsorption is monitored via the sulfonate groups attached to the hydrophilic (PSS) block, the thickness and growth rate of the adsorbed layer depend, for a given concentration, on the presence and relative length of the hydrophobic (PtBS) block.

Macromol. Symp. 205, 117 (2004).

FTIR real-time monitoring of the adsorption of PS-b-PEO copolymers on Ge from micellar solutions. Presented at the 6th Hellenic Polymer Conference, Patras, 2007

Contact

G. D. Chryssikos, V. Gionis and S. Pispas
Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute,
National Hellenic Research Foundation,
48 Vassileos Constantinou Ave.,
Athens 11635, Greece

Tel.: +30 210 7273819, 7273820 and 7273824
FAX: +30 210 7273794
Email: gdchryss, vgionisand pispas


 

 

 

 
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