FTIR, FT-Raman and chemometrics: Applications to the analysis and characterisation of polymers

Within an industrial spectroscopy laboratory, two of the more significant advances in recent years have been the allying of FT-Raman alongside FTIR capabilities, coupled with the ready availability of multivariate data analysis software. Whether charged with developing rapid, cost effective methods for the quality assurance of products, or providing simple, efficient means to characterising their physico-chemical properties, these developments have proven particularly valuable to the spectroscopist concerned with the analysis and characterisation of polymers. This article will highlight the potential of these important advances through novel applications evaluated for the compositional and physical structure characterisation of polymers.