NMR Spectroscopy for the Characterization of Polymers

Abstract

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is one of the most simple and reliable techniques for structural elucidation of polymers. This chapter summarizes the application of NMR spectroscopy for identifying monomers and polymers, and also elucidation of constitutional, configuration and conformational structures of polymers and copolymers. The determination of various polymer structures includes polymer tacticity, polymer molecular weights and molecular weight distributions, copolymer composition, monomer reactivity ratios, monomer sequence distribution in the copolymer chains. Examples are cited in most of the cases to explain the polymer characterization from the NMR spectra. It also illustrates the characterization of polymers containing nanomaterials like fullerene (C60) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs).

Keywords: Copolymer composition, Fullerene (C60), Molecular weight distribution, Monomer reactivity ratios, Monomer sequence distribution, Monomers, Nanomaterials containing polymers, NMR spectroscopy, Polymers, Polymer characterization, Polymer molecular weight, Polymer tacticity.