Depth profiling of polymer films by confocal Raman spectroscopy

Confocal Raman microspectroscopy has many potential applications in the study of polymer-solvent interactions, including the determination of solvent and polymer-solvent complex depth profiles. This contribution focuses on preventing the formation of polymer-solvent complexes, using surface chemical modification of PVC films. While the surface-specific nature of the film modification is easily demonstrated,^[1] confocal Raman measurements clearly show the effects of film refractive index: the modifier depth profile shows a lack of symmetry and the film thickness is underestimated. A spectral normalisation method is described, and this is shown to result in a modifier depth profile which is in good agreement with data obtained by Raman microspectroscopy following physical cross-sectioning of a sample. Alternative techniques for Raman depth profiling are also discussed.     

Identification of the diamond-like B-C phase by confocal Raman spectroscopy

The new diamond-like B-C phase was obtained from the graphite-like BC phase in a laser-heated diamond anvil cell at high temperature 2230+/-140 K and high pressure 45 GPa. Raman spectra of the new phase measured at ambient conditions revealed a peak at 1315 cm(-1), which was attributed to longitudinal-optical (LO) mode. The X-Y Raman mapping was used to investigate spatial distribution of the diamond-like phases and was shown to be a powerful tool in studying the sp(2)-to-sp(3) phase transformations occurring in the diamond cell under high temperature and high pressure.     

Label free non-invasive imaging of topically applied actives in reconstructed human epidermis by confocal Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy has become a versatile tool for the in vivo characterization of skin. Here we describe use of Raman spectroscopy for high resolution optical cross sectioning to resolve skin constituents and administered drugs at the cellular level. Percutaneous penetration is typically studied using permeation cells with biopsies of animals or human skin. Although this technique provides valuable clinical data, little insight is gained in the microstructure of drug penetration (intercellular or transcellular) or in the mode of action of applied vehicles or penetration enhancers. Therefore, a Raman microspectroscopic method was combined with a confocal scanning setup to image the microstructure of commercially available skin models (SkinEthic^®) and the spatial distribution of penetrated actives. The models’ microstructure was scanned without any special treatment or environment such as cutting, staining, freezing, or application of vacuum. The non-invasive Raman images reveal the layered structure of stratum corneum. This in particular for lipids while water tends to be more evenly distributed. When penetration of the hydrophilic active glycerol and the lipophilic octyl methoxycinnamate, OMC, was studied, a strong correlation between the local distribution of skin constituents and the hydrophilic/lipophilic character of the active was observed.     

Maturation grade of coals as revealed by Raman spectroscopy: progress and problems

The present study questions the sensitivity and the accuracy of Raman spectroscopy as a tool for determining the maturity of natural organic matter (NOM). It focuses on the definition of optimized experimental parameters in order to maximize the quality of the Raman signal and control the accuracy and reproducibility of measurements. A series of 11 coals has been investigated, sampling a wide maturity range (2-7% vitrinite reflectance VR). The role of experimental parameters is first investigated. An excitation wavelength of 514.5 nm gives better results than 457.9 and 632.8 nm, minimizing the fluorescence background observed in the spectra of low-rank coals. Both Raman and fluorescence spectra were investigated with time-resolved experiments in air and argon. These data show that fluorescence and Raman spectra are sensitive to acquisition time and laser power parameters, and reveal a physicochemical instability of the samples under laser irradiation, mostly due to photo-oxidation processes. These data clearly show that the experiments, especially in air, should be performed with strictly constant acquisition parameters. In addition, the results of a whole series of coal measurements performed in air under constant experimental conditions show that Raman spectroscopy is definitely sensitive to the maturity of coal samples with VR> approximately 1%. The most sensitive spectral maturity tracers are the width of the D-band (FWHM-D), the ratio of the peak intensities of the D- and G-bands (I(D)/I(G)), the normalized ratio of the band integrated intensities A(D)/[A(D)+A(G)] for the maturity range VR=3-7% and the width of the G-band (FWHM-G) for VR=1-5%. However, the accuracy and reproducibility are definitely weaker in such measurements compared to the standard VR. Future work must solve the problem of sample stability under laser irradiation, and greatly increase the number of samples to improve the statistical significance of the results.     

Diffusion of poly(ethylene glycol) and ectoine in NIPAAm hydrogels with confocal Raman spectroscopy

The diffusion behavior of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) hydrogels was investigated using confocal Raman spectroscopy with regard to temperature (25°C, 30°C and 35°C), PEG concentration (10 and 40?wt.%), PEG molecular weight (2,000 and 12,000?g/mol) and addition of the compatible solute ectoine (0.1 and 2?wt.%). Swelling and shrinking of the gels was observed by means of confocal Raman spectroscopy. The swelling behavior of NIPAAm gels in aqueous solutions of PEG and ectoine was found to resemble the swelling behavior in pure water with regard to temperature, i.e., the gel shrinks with increasing temperature. However, the presence and concentration of PEG and ectoine influence the swelling behavior by lowering the volume phase-transition temperature of the gel and facilitating shrinking. In some cases, a re-swelling of the gel was observed after the initial shrinking at the onset of PEG diffusion, which can be explained by PEG changing the chemical potential in the gel phase as it diffuses into the sample allowing the water to re-enter. The expulsion of water from the gel during shrinking and the so-caused increase of PNIPAAm and PEG concentrations in some cases led to the PEG diffusion seemingly being faster in more shrunken gels despite of their higher diffusion resistance.     

Optical tomography of non-crystalline films by interference enhanced Raman spectroscopy

The depth dependence of Raman spectra of a-GeS₂-type films having a different optical thickness (/4 and /2) and their refractive index profile have been investigated. The model of a layered-inhomogeneous structure of films has been proposed. There have been distinguished three regions: near-surface region (up to 50 Å), central part and transition film-substrate region (up to 300 Å).     

Optical tomography of non-crystalline films by interference enhanced Raman spectroscopy

The depth dependence of Raman spectra of a-GeS(2)-type films having a different optical thickness (lambda/4 and lambda/2) and their refractive index profile have been investigated. The model of a layered-inhomogeneous structure of films has been proposed. There have been distinguished three regions: near-surface region (up to 50 A), central part and transition film-substrate region (up to 300 A).     

High-pressure study of tetramethylsilane by Raman spectroscopy

High-pressure behavior of tetramethylsilane, one of the Group IVa hydrides, was investigated by Raman scattering measurements at pressures up to 142 GPa and room temperature. Our results revealed the phase transitions at 0.6, 9, and 16 GPa from both the mode frequency shifts with pressure and the changes of the full width half maxima of these modes. These transitions were suggested to result from the changes in the inter- and intra-molecular bonding of this material. We also observed two other possible phase transitions at 49-69 GPa and 96 GPa. No indication of metallization in tetramethylsilane was found with stepwise compression to 142 GPa.     

Analysis of human tear fluid by Raman spectroscopy

Tear fluid is a complex aqueous solution containing proteins, metabolites, electrolytes and lipids. This study uses Raman spectroscopy to analyse the composition of human tear fluid from three healthy volunteers. Two different methods are used to obtain Raman spectra from the 3 μL tear samples: (i) solution-phase Raman spectroscopy, and (ii) drop coating deposition Raman spectroscopy (DCDRS). Tear samples were either basal fluid, or yawn reflex secreted fluid. Calibration of the solution technique with standard protein solutions (5-15 mg mL⁻¹) showed that this method could predict the protein concentration (cross-validation) with an error of less than 1 mg mL⁻¹. The Raman signals from the tear fluid were very weak but signals due to protein and urea were clearly observable in all samples. The drop coating deposition technique was shown to produce very high signal-to-noise spectra for relatively short acquisition times, and small sample volumes. Raman point mapping combined with principal components analysis showed that the protein, urea, bicarbonate and lipid could all be detected in the tear samples and that the distribution of these components was inhomogeneous. Their position within the drying pattern was shown to depend on their relative solubilities. The results of this study suggest that solution Raman measurements may be calibrated to give the total tear protein concentration and DCDRS could be used to give a fingerprint of the tear protein (and lipid) composition.     

显微共聚焦拉曼光谱结合群分析的黑色直液笔墨迹鉴别研究

黑色直液笔是一种新型书写工具,目前对该种笔墨迹的相关研究较少。为给文件检验工作中墨迹的分析提供新的参考依据,本实验使用显微共聚焦拉曼光谱技术,采集了30支不同品牌、型号的黑色直液笔墨迹光谱数据,进行Savitzky-Golay卷积平滑处理后,依据光谱图的拉曼位移及拉曼谱峰差异对墨迹进行初步分析。设置聚类方法为组间联接,区间距离测量方式为平方欧式距离,对采集的光谱数据进行群分析,将30支黑色直液笔墨迹样本分成了3类,并与品牌建立了相关联系;同时通过主成分分析验证了群分析的可靠性和准确性。研究表明,显微共聚焦拉曼光谱技术结合群分析方法可实现对黑色直液笔墨迹的无损分析及有效鉴别,该方法操作简便、结果准确,适用于法庭科学文件检验。     

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Raman spectroscopy study of poly(dimethylsiloxane)

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) was studied by laser Raman spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The Si O Si skeletal mode at 489 cm⁻¹ and the C Si C deformation bands at 188 cm⁻¹ and 158 cm⁻¹ were studied as functions of temperature from ambient to −130°C, and effects of temperature interpreted in accordance with results from thermal analysis. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 2805–2810, 1998     

Metabolic profiling of serum in patients with cartilage tumours using 1H-NMR spectroscopy: A pilot study

Cartilage-forming lesions include tumours that can vary in severity from benign enchondromas to high-grade malignant chondrosarcomas. Chondrosarcoma is the second most frequent malignant bone tumour, accounting for 20–30% of all malignant bone neoplasms. Surgery is the standard treatment for cartilage tumours (CTs); however, their incidental diagnosis and the difficult differentiation of low-grade lesions like chondrosarcoma grade I from benign entities like enchondroma are challenges for clinical management. In this sense, the search for circulating biomarkers for early detection and prognosis is an ongoing interest. Targeted metabolomics is a powerful tool that can propose potential biomarkers in biological fluids as well as help to discover disturbed metabolic pathways to reveal tumour pathogenesis. In this context, the aim of this study was to investigate the ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomic serum profile of patients with CTs contrasted with healthy controls. Forty-one metabolites were identified and quantified; the multivariate statistical methods principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis reveal a clear separation of the CT group, that is, the differential metabolites that were involved in two main metabolic pathways: the taurine and hypotaurine metabolism and synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies. Our results represent preliminary work for emergent serum-based diagnostics or prognostic methods for patients with chondrogenic tumours.     

Morphology of oriented linear polyethylene: A study by Raman spectroscopy

Measurements have been made of the low-frequency Raman longitudinal acoustic mode (LAM) vibration in oriented linear polyethylenes. The oriented samples were prepared by tensile drawing of both slow-cooled and quenched sheets, and included ultrahigh-modulus materials from draw ratios up to 30. A LAM line is observed clearly in samples of low and intermediate molecular weight up to draw ratios of ca. 15. In all these cases the Raman spectrum has been used to calculate the whole distribution of crystal sizes. This procedure leads to values of the number-average and weight-average crystal size which are in good agreement with crystal size determinations by x-ray diffractometry and gel permeation chromatography on etched samples. At higher draw ratios the peak intensity of the LAM line is diminished. This can be attributed to a change in the distribution of crystal thicknesses, consistent with data from x-ray diffraction and nitric acid etching. Effects due to initial morphology, sample molecular weight, and draw temperature have also been examined.     

Resonance Raman spectroscopy of proflavin (II)

To understand molecular structure for a complex of a dye molecule of DNA receptor, the depolarization ratios and band widths of the Raman spectra of proflavin in different DNA media were analyzed. According to these experimental analyses, it is possible that the proflavin molecule lies near the phosphate group, having a strong interaction with the phosphate group to restrict tumbling motion and inplane motion. Refinement of the bandshape, the improvement of the vibrational bandshape theory and modifications of the reorientational theory should allow a detailed picture of the intercalation of proflavin to DNA.     

Encapsulation of fluorescent molecules by functionalized polymeric nanocontainers: investigation by confocal fluorescence imaging and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

Nanocontainers (NCs) were prepared from amphiphilic triblock copolymers, having an average molecular weight of around 8000 g/mol, by using previously published preparation methods consisting of dispersing the polymer in an aqueous buffer solution containing molecules for encapsulation. A small molecular weight fluorophore, sulforhodamine B, as well as the fluorescent protein avidin labeled with Alexa 488 were encapsulated, and the resulting nanocontainers were characterized using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS). Nanocontainer size determination by FCS is very robust and compares well with results obtained from photon correlation spectroscopy: the measured diameters of the polymeric nanocontainers vary between 140 and 172 nm. Encapsulation of fluorescent molecules was determined by evaluating the molecular brightness of nanocontainers with an encapsulated fluorescently labeled protein (avidin-Alexa 488). Results indicate that the number of encapsulated avidin-Alexa 488 molecules corresponds well with the initial concentration of the fluorescently labeled protein and the encapsulated volume. A nanocontainer binding assay was developed using biotinylated fluorescently labeled nanocontainers. Binding of biotinylated nanocontainers to fluorescently labeled streptavidin was followed by fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy. The intrinsic dissociation constant, K(d), of labeled streptavidin to the ligand-modified nanocontainers is 1.7 +/- 0.4 x 10(-8) M, and about 1921 +/- 357 molecules of labeled streptavidin are bound to each nanocontainer.     

Solute-solvent interactions in formamide and zinc chloride solutions: An investigation by Raman spectroscopy

Raman experiments of formamide and zinc chloride solutions in a wide concentration range (0.1-5.0 mol kg⁻¹) have been carried out. The spectral changes were interpreted on three different ways: (i) the rupture of the H-bonds of FA was evidenced by the trend observed in the ν_CO, δ_HNH and restricted (translation or libration) modes; (ii) the appearance of a new band in the ν_CN region (∼1338 cm⁻¹) was assigned to FA coordinated to Zn (II) through nitrogen atom; (iii) the electronic delocalization in the FA structure upon complexation provided the appearance of new features in the δ_CH and ν_CH regions. The quantitative treatment performed at the ν_CN region of FA allowed the determination of an average number of 3 FA molecules per Zn (II) in the first solvation shell. This value is supported by the appearance of features assigned to ZnCl⁺ and ZnCl₂ entities that also occupy vertices of the tetrahedron at higher salt concentrations. The present study may be useful for a better understanding on electrochemical processes employed in the production of dendritic zinc films as well as FA hydrolysis catalyzed by this metal.     

Structure of polypropylene/polyethylene blends assessed by polarised PA-FTIR spectroscopy,polarised FT raman spectroscopy and confocal Raman microscopy

Physical structure and morphology of differently prepared and treated bulk specimens of isotactic polypropylene, linear polyethylene and their blend was studied by polarised FT Raman spectroscopy, polarised FTIR spectroscopy with photoacoustic detection, and by confocal Raman microscopy. The specimens differed in preparation technique, mechanical and thermal history. The orientation and reorientation of molecular chains of individual blend components, their crystallinity and the size and structure of the microdomains both in the skin and in the core of the specimens were correlated with the preparation conditions, mechanical treatment and thermal history. The possibilities and limitations of each method were discussed.     

Joint analyses by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and Raman spectroscopy at stand-off distances

Raman spectroscopy and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) of solid samples have both been shown to be feasible with sample-to-instrument distances of many meters. The two techniques are very useful together, as the combination of elemental compositions from LIBS and molecular vibrational information from Raman spectroscopy strongly complement each other. Remote LIBS and Raman spectroscopy spectra were taken together on a number of mineral samples including sulfates, carbonates and silicates at a distance of 8.3 m. The complementary nature of these spectra is highlighted and discussed. A factor of approximately 20 difference in intensity was observed between the brightest Raman line of calcite, at optimal laser power, and the brighter Ca I LIBS emission line measured with 55 mJ/pulse laser power. LIBS and Raman spectroscopy have several obstacles to devising a single instrument capable of both techniques. These include the differing spectral ranges and required detection sensitivity. The current state of technology in these areas is discussed.     

Chemical imaging in a surface forces apparatus: confocal raman spectroscopy of confined poly(dimethylsiloxane)

Confocal Raman spectroscopy has been implemented within the molecularly thin films of a surface forces apparatus. Applying this technique to an initial system, we investigate the confinement and shear-induced changes in the Raman spectra of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) liquids confined between atomically smooth mica surfaces at thicknesses less than the unperturbed radius of gyration of the polymer. We focus on stretch vibrations of the PDMS methyl group, whose net orientation is perpendicular to the chain backbone. When PDMS was confined to a thickness of approximately the unperturbed radius of gyration (3.5 nm) but no shear, the Raman intensity of the methyl group was anisotropic in the x-y plane, signifying that chains oriented preferentially parallel to the confining surfaces. Relative to the bulk fluid, the relative intensity of the asymmetric to symmetric carbon-hydrogen stretch (2965 and 2907 cm-1, respectively) was enhanced, indicating that asymmetric vibration was enhanced by confinement. Measurements using polarized radiation showed coherent planar anisotropy in the x-y plane whose direction varied stochastically from experiment to experiment. It seems that although coherent in-plane alignment was favored, no preferential alignment direction was favored in the absence of shear. Application of shear caused the time-averaged polymer conformations to become more nearly isotropic in the plane of shear. These measurements are considered to represent the first chemical imaging of chemical species within the contact area of a surface forces apparatus.