Analysis service
High-performance physicochemical characterizations at the service of our R&D
Physicochemical analyses are essential at each step of your chemicals development. At SPECIFIC POLYMERS, our know-how and expertise in custom-synthesis, resin formulation and materials and coating development, for various fields, relies on a large pool of high-performance analytical equipment.
CHARACTERIZATION PROCESS
Method Development
Determination of the key performance indicators
Monitoring
Monitoring the reactions at each step of the process
Quality Control
The final characterizations of synthesized products
We offer first-class analytical expertise
The expertise that SPECIFIC POLYMERS has in functional building-blocks, monomers, polymers, materials and coatings synthesis and formulation is supported by a significant capacity for physicochemical characterizations. Moreover, our R&D business is based on an in-depth understanding of the relationship between structure, performance and properties. Our physico-chemical analyses rely on high-performance analytical equipment which allows us to characterize not only chemical structures (NMR, IRTF), but also physicochemical properties (SEC, DSC, TGA, rheology, surface energies, etc.).
Project definition
Analytical strategy based on and adapted according to the R&D programs
Method development
For the determination of the key performance indicators for each application
Structural & physicochemical analyses
At each step of the synthesis or formulation process
Monitoring & quality control
To assess compliance with the initial specifications
Characterization of all synthesized products
Technical Datasheet | Applicative properties | Large characterization network
We offers analytical expertise of high technology
The expertise that SPECIFIC POLYMERS has in functional building-blocks, monomers, polymers, materials and coatings synthesis and formulation is supported by a significant capacity for physicochemical characterizations. Moreover, our R&D business is based on an in-depth understanding of the relationship between structure, performance and properties. Our physico-chemical analyses rely on high-performance analytical equipment which allows us to characterize not only chemical structures (NMR, IRTF), but also physicochemical properties (SEC, DSC, TGA, rheology, surface energies, etc.).
Project definition
Analytical strategy based on and adapted according to the R&D programs
Method development
For the determination of the Key Performance Indicators for each application
Structural & physicochemical analyses
At each step of the synthesis or formulation process
Monitoring & quality control
To assess compliance with the initial specifications
Characterization of all synthesized products
Technical Datasheet | Applicative properties | Large characterization network
PHYSICOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS – OUR MAIN SKILLS
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy – NMR
NMR spectroscopy is a powerful analytical technique for the determination of chemical structures.
This technique is at the heart of our analytical departments. All synthesis reactions, all products and all resin formulations are analyzed by NMR. We have the ability to perform 1H, 13C, 19F, 31P, COSY, HSQC and DOSY analysis on our Brucker 300 MHz NMR. This allows us to characterize a very wide range of (macro) molecular products bearing different types of functional groups. NMR spectroscopy enables us, for instance, to evaluate the quality of (macro) molecules, to titrate their functionalities and/or determine the chemical nature of potential impurities. We monitor the reaction kinetics by determining the reaction rate and the potential formation of by-products as a function of time. All final products are thoroughly analyzed in order to validate their chemical compositions, functionality, molecular weight, etc.
Equipment | Bruker Avance 300MHz, QNP probe grad (1H, 13C, 19F, 31P)
Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy – FTIR
FTIR is a technique used to reveal the functional groups characterizing a given (macro) molecule.
This analysis is used to obtain an infrared spectrum of absorption or emission. It allows for a better knowledge of the chemical structures of synthesized products or raw materials. It can also be used to study the development of chemical structures during a reaction, or to monitor the kinetics of crosslinking reaction during the synthesis of thermosets. In addition to our skills in FTIR analysis, we also have access to a large FTIR spectrum database which makes it possible to go deeper into the understanding of studied products or formulations.
Equipment | PerkinElmer Spectrum TWO, with Diamond ATR
Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy – FTIR
FTIR is a technique used to reveal the functional groups characterizing a given (macro) molecule.
This analysis is used to obtain an infrared spectrum of absorption or emission. It allows for a better knowledge of the chemical structures of synthesized products or raw materials. It can also be used to study the development of chemical structures during a reaction, or to monitor the kinetics of crosslinking reaction during the synthesis of thermosets. In addition to our skills in FTIR analysis, we also have access to a large FTIR spectrum database which makes it possible to go deeper into the understanding of studied products or formulations.
Equipment | PerkinElmer Spectrum TWO, with Diamond ATR
Size exclusion chromatography – SEC
Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) or gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is a common method for determining the average molecular weights and the molecular weight distribution of polymers.
This technique is widely used within the company: to (i) characterize the molecular weights of polymers (Mn, Mw, polydispersity index), (ii) identify the distribution of oligomers, (iii) control the kinetics of polymerization reactions or (iv) study the stability of synthesized polymers (ageing). It can also be used to highlight the evolution of molecular weight that is sometimes observed during the synthesis of various resins. Depending on the polymer solubility, we can perform SEC chromatography either in DMF or THF. Our classical standards: PMMA, PS.
Equipment | Agilent PL-GPC50-PLUS, THF, Agilent Polypore (200 to 2000000 Da) columns (x2), Refractive Index (RI) detection | Agilent 1260 Infinity+, DMF, PolarGel M (1000 to 500000 Da) columns (x2), Refractive Index (RI) detection
Size exclusion chromatography – SEC
Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) or gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is a common method for determining the average molecular weights and the molecular weight distribution of polymers.
This technique is widely used within the company: to (i) characterize the molecular weights of polymers (Mn, Mw, polydispersity index), (ii) identify the distribution of oligomers, (iii) control the kinetics of polymerization reactions or (iv) study the stability of synthesized polymers (ageing). It can also be used to highlight the evolution of molecular weight that is sometimes observed during the synthesis of various resins. Depending on the polymer solubility, we can perform SEC chromatography either in DMF or THF. Our classical standards: PMMA, PS.
Equipment | Agilent PL-GPC50-PLUS, THF, Agilent Polypore (200 to 2000000 Da) columns (x2), Refractive Index (RI) detection | Agilent 1260 Infinity+, DMF, PolarGel M (1000 to 500000 Da) columns (x2), Refractive Index (RI) detection
Differential scanning calorimetry – DSC
Differential scanning calorimetry is a thermoanalytical technique used to observe the physical and chemical transformation (glass transition, fusion, crystallization, polymorphism) of a given product, a polymer or a material.
DSC is used to determine the characteristic thermal transitions, study the impact of formulation and/or molecular structure on thermal transitions, achieve kinetic monitoring of the crosslinking reaction of thermosets resin or monitor the effects of ageing. Among these aims, DSC is widely used at SPECIFIC POLYMERS to measure the glass transition temperature (Tg) of synthesized polymers and materials. It is also used to measure both the fusion and crystallization temperatures of some crystalline molecules or polymers. Within the development of thermoset materials, DSC analysis helps to anticipate the curing kinetics and provide interesting information on the curing temperature, gel time or curing reaction exothermicity.
Equipment | TA Instruments Q2000 (DSC and modulated DSC), RCS90 (-80 °C to 500 °C)
Mettler Toledo DSC 3 | DSC standard with autosampler 36 positions | Immersion cooler Huber TC100 (-90°C to 700°C)
Differential scanning calorimetry – DSC
Differential scanning calorimetry is a thermoanalytical technique used to observe the physical and chemical transformation (glass transition, fusion, crystallization, polymorphism) of a given product, a polymer or a material.
DSC is used to determine the characteristic thermal transitions, study the impact of formulation and/or molecular structure on thermal transitions, achieve kinetic monitoring of the crosslinking reaction of thermosets resin or monitor the effects of ageing. Among these aims, DSC is widely used at SPECIFIC POLYMERS to measure the glass transition temperature (Tg) of synthesized polymers and materials. It is also used to measure both the fusion and crystallization temperatures of some crystalline molecules or polymers. Within the development of thermoset materials, DSC analysis helps to anticipate the curing kinetics and provide interesting information on the curing temperature, gel time or curing reaction exothermicity.
Equipment | TA Instruments Q2000 (DSC and modulated DSC), RCS90 (-80 °C to 500 °C)
Mettler Toledo DSC 3 | DSC standard with autosampler 36 positions | Immersion cooler Huber TC100 (-90°C to 700°C)
Thermal gravimetric analysis – TGA
TGA is a thermal analysis that measures the loss of weight of a sample as a function of temperature (or time), in a controlled atmosphere.
This technique provides important information that can be used to select materials within a formulation, to predict product performance and improve quality. TGA is mainly used to evaluate the kinetics of the decomposition of materials, predict the temperatures of use and study the thermal or oxidation stability of raw materials and materials. TGA can also be used to evaluate the residual solvent content, residual mass or char yield.
Equipment | TA Instruments Discovery TGA550 Advanced (Hires TGA, modulated TGA), Quartz EGA furnace (Tamb to 1000 °C)
Thermal gravimetric analysis – TGA
TGA is a thermal analysis that measures the loss of weight of a sample as a function of temperature (or time), in a controlled atmosphere.
This technique provides important information that can be used to select materials within a formulation, to predict product performance and improve quality. TGA is mainly used to evaluate the kinetics of the decomposition of materials, predict the temperatures of use and study the thermal or oxidation stability of raw materials and materials. TGA can also be used to evaluate the residual solvent content, residual mass or char yield.
Equipment | TA Instruments Discovery TGA550 Advanced (Hires TGA, modulated TGA), Quartz EGA furnace (Tamb to 1000 °C)
Rheometer
Rheometry is the analytical method used to describe and assess the deformation and flow behavior of materials, i.e. the rheological properties.
Our hybrid rheometer is used in our R&D projects to target development materials or the formulation of coatings, and to monitor the corresponding curing kinetics. One of the main objectives of our measurements is to evaluate the viscosity of resin formulations as a function of the temperature (or shear stress) in order to ensure the compliance of prepared formulations with targeted implementation processes. Rheometer analysis can also provide important information in regard to gel time, pot life or mix viscosity, which are often mandatory for the proper manipulation of these resins.
Equipment | TA Instruments Discovery HR20, Plan Peltier (-40°C to 200°C), Environmental Test Chamber ETC (Tamb at 600°C), plan/plan and cone/plan geometry, disposable plan/plan geometry
Rheometer
Rheometry is the analytical method used to describe and assess the deformation and flow behavior of materials, i.e. the rheological properties.
Our hybrid rheometer is used in our R&D projects to target development materials or the formulation of coatings, and to monitor the corresponding curing kinetics. One of the main objectives of our measurements is to evaluate the viscosity of resin formulations as a function of the temperature (or shear stress) in order to ensure the compliance of prepared formulations with targeted implementation processes. Rheometer analysis can also provide important information in regard to gel time, pot life or mix viscosity, which are often mandatory for the proper manipulation of these resins.
Equipment | TA Instruments Discovery HR20, Plan Peltier (-40°C to 200°C), Environmental Test Chamber ETC (Tamb at 600°C), plan/plan and cone/plan geometry, disposable plan/plan geometry
Contact angle
Contact angle analysis is used to quantify the wettability of a solid surface by a liquid.
The contact angle is defined as the angle where the liquid-vapor interface meets a solid interface. This equipment provides the capability to study the wetting of a liquid on a surface through the accurate measurement of the static or dynamic contact angle. Automatic measurement sequencing and video processing allow reliable, fast and reproducible results to be obtained on simple or complex samples. From the polar and dispersive components, we can determine the surface chemical nature of a coating or material (hydrophilic, hydrophobic, super-hydrophobic, oleophilic, oleophobic).
Equipment | DataPhysics Instruments GmbH – OCA 50 with automatic XYZ table, Optical contact angle measuring system
Four-point probe system
The Ossila four-point probe system helps to achieve rapid and reliable measurement of the sheet resistance, resistivity and conductivity of materials.
The system includes a four-point probe in which the probe head uses gentle spring-loaded contacts instead of sharp needles, minimising damage to delicate samples. The four-point probe is capable of delivering currents between 10 nA and 150 mA, and can measure voltages from as low as 100 μV to 10 V. The system can measure sheet resistances franging from 3 mΩ/□ to 10 MΩ/□, enabling the characterization of a wide range of materials and coatings.
Equipment | Ossila, Four-Point Probe System (T2001A3)
Four-point probe system
The Ossila four-point probe system helps to achieve rapid and reliable measurement of the sheet resistance, resistivity and conductivity of materials.
The system includes a four-point probe in which the probe head uses gentle spring-loaded contacts instead of sharp needles, minimising damage to delicate samples. The four-point probe is capable of delivering currents between 10 nA and 150 mA, and can measure voltages from as low as 100 μV to 10 V. The system can measure sheet resistances franging from 3 mΩ/□ to 10 MΩ/□, enabling the characterization of a wide range of materials and coatings.
Equipment | Ossila, Four-Point Probe System (T2001A3)
Persoz pendulum
Persoz pendulum is an instrument to evaluate the hardness of a coating, which is the resistance of a solid surface against pressure, scratching or rubbing.
This method relies on the damping of an oscillating pendulum. The instrument consists of a pendulum which is free to swing on two balls resting on a coated test panel. When the pendulum is moved, the balls roll on the surface and apply a pressure on it. The elastic response depends on the hardness of the coating. The shorter the damping time, the higher the flexibility and the lower the hardness. The automated design of this instrument enables a reliable and repeatable measurements.
Equipment | Byko Swing Persoz, BYK
Need more information? Interested in our physicochemical analyses service?
We will be glad to discuss your projects with you! Fill in the form below to contact the Head of Physicochemical Analysis.