High-throughput analysis in catalysis research using novel approaches to transmission infrared spectroscopy

This study has demonstrated that high-throughput FTIR transmission measurements using a newly designed array-based support formed using silicon wells and a silicon wafer is a very useful and robust tool for the characterization of polymer composition for combinatorial materials research. The comonomer content in copolymers can be measured accurately with a fully automated throughput of > 300 samples/day (8 h). The transmission measurement is more robust, reliable, and easier to automate than other spectroscopic methods. The support itself provides excellent resistance to aggressive organic solvents at elevated temperatures and allows the unattended deposition and preparation of polymer films for infrared analysis. Because of the excellent durability of the support with respect to the solvent, the support can be rinsed and reused many times. This high-throughput approach to infrared transmission spectroscopy can be used for measuring a wide array of polymer characteristics: vinyl content, geometrical isomers, crystallinity, and tacticity. As well, this IR approach can be used to predict the oxidative stability of the antioxidant packages. Because the support provides a means of containing hot polymer solutions while the solvent evaporates, the support is also suitable for high-throughput nanoindentation methods for the determination of modulus and other physical properties of the polymer.