Structural and conformational changes during thermally‐induced crystallization of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) by infrared spectroscopy

Conformational changes occurring during thermally‐induced crystallization of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) by annealing have been studied using density measurement, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and mid‐infrared spectroscopy (MIR). Infrared spectra of amorphous and semicrystalline PTT were obtained, and digital subtraction of the amorphous contribution from the semicrystalline PTT spectra provided characteristic MIR spectra of amorphous and crystalline PTT. The normalized absorbance of 1577, 1173, and 976 cm^?1 were plotted against the crystallinity showing that these bands can be used unambiguously to represent the trans conformation while the band at 1358 cm^?1 can be used to represent gauche conformation of methylene segment. The presence of a weak band at 1358 cm^?1 in the amorphous spectrum suggested that a small amount of gauche conformation is present in the amorphous phase. Infrared spectroscopy has been used for the first time as a means to estimate the trans and gauche conformations of methylene segments in PTT as a function of T_a. The amount of gauche conformation was plotted against the crystalline fraction and the extrapolation of this plot to zero crystalline fraction provided a value of 0.07, suggested that the pure amorphous phase consist of ～ 7% gauche conformation. It was found that the amorphous and crystalline gauche conformation increases at the expense of amorphous trans conformation during thermally induced crystallization of PTT. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1497–1504, 2008     

Polarized Raman studies of crystalline and amorphous orientation in polyethylene

Polarized Raman intensities have been obtained from thin films of oriented low-density polyethylene (PE) immersed in silicone oil to minimize surface scattering. Studies were made using the 1170 cm^?1 crystalline band and the 1081 cm^?1 amorphous band, and from these the orientation averages 〈cos² θ〉 and 〈cos⁴ θ〉 were calculated. These were found to compare favorably with the values of 〈cos² θ〉 for the polymer chain in the crystalline and amorphous phases obtained from measurements of infrared dichroism. Both orientation averages could be theoretically fitted by using reasonable parameters.     

Synthesis and Raman Spectroscopy of Nanoparticles of Crystalline and X‐ray Amorphous Germanium within Mesoporous SiO2

Mesoporous hexagonally ordered SiO₂ (SBA‐15) with a pore diameter of 7 nm was used as a host matrix for nanoparticles of amorphous and crystalline germanium. Raman spectra were recorded for these germanium nanoparticles and for bulk amorphous and crystalline germanium powder. The band shifts and line shapes of the Raman bands for the optical phonon at ～300 cm^—1 were analyzed and compared to the theoretical predictions derived from the phonon confinement model. In addition, the microstructure of amorphous hydrogenated germanium could be further elucidated by Raman spectroscopy and by thermal analysis.     

Conformations and vibrational spectra of 2-chloro-3-fluoro-1-propene and 2-bromo-3-fluoro-1-propene

The infrared spectra of 2-chloro-3-fluoro- and 2-bromo-3-fluoro-1-propene as vapours and liquids were recorded in the region 4000–4050 cm^?1. Additional spectra of the amorphous and crystalline solids at ?170 °C and of the liquids in polar and non-polar solvents were recorded between 4000 and 200 cm^?1.Raman spectra, including semi-quantitative polarization measurements of the liquids were obtained. Spectra were also recorded with the samples dissolved in polar and non-polar solvents, and unannealed as well as annealed crystalline solids were studied at ?180 °C.Approximately 14 vibrational bands present in the spectra of the liquids, solutions and the glassy solids vanished in the infrared and Raman spectra of the crystals. From various criteria it can be concluded with certainty that the more polar (gauche) and less polar (cis) conformers were present in the crystalline chloro- and bromo- compounds, respectively. From infrared and Raman band intensities it was estimated that the conformational equilibrium in chlorofluoro-propene was highly displaced towards cis in the vapour, with both conformers approximately equally abundant in the liquid state (30 °C). For bromofluoro- propene the equilibrium was still further displaced towards the cis conformer.A striking similarity between the spectra of the two compounds was ob- served. The fundamental frequencies have been tentatively assigned and checked by force constant calculations. Dipole moments and relative stabilities of the conformers were estimated by a CNDO calculation.     

Surface enhanced Raman spectra of nucleic acid components adsorbed at a silver electrode

High-resolution vibrational spectra of nucleic acid components adsorbed on a silver electrode were obtained using a spectroelectrochemical method based on the large-intensity enhancement for Raman scattering at electrode surfaces.The laser surface Raman spectra of purine, adenine, adenosine, deoxyadenosine, adenine mononucleotides, adenylyl-3′, 5′-adenosine and polyriboadenylic acid were recorded in the range of 150–3500 cm^?1. The intensities of the vibrational bands were highly dependent upon the electrochemical preparation of the electrode, the applied potential and the nature of the adsorbate species. High-intensity spectra in rather dilute bulk solutions were obtained.The phosphate derivatives of adenosine exhibited strongly enhanced Raman scattering. Spectral band frequencies corresponded closely with normal Raman spectra of these molecules in solution. The adenine ring breathing mode at 740 cm^?1 and the adenine ring skeletal vibration at 1335 cm^?1 produced prominent Raman scattering. A strong band at about 240 cm^?1 for the adenine mononucleotides was attributed to silver/adsorbed phosphate group vibrations.     

Raman Spectroscopic Determination of the Degree of Cationic Modification in Waxy Maize Starches

ABSTRACT

Waxy (essentially amylose-free) maize starch was chemically modified to varying degrees by treatment with 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (CHPTAC), and the degree of cationic modification was determined by a standard wet chemistry method. FT-Raman spectra of the modified starches were taken, and a characteristic Raman band ～761 cm^?1 was found. This 761 cm^?1 Raman band's intensity depended on the level of cationic modification of the starch. The ratio of intensity of the ～761 cm^?1 band to a ～715 cm^?1 C-C stretch Raman band (used as an internal standard) was plotted versus the amount of cationic modification derived by titration analysis, and a linear fit was obtained with a correlation of 0.998. The FT-Raman spectroscopy method presented here demonstrates a rapid non-destructive way to determine the level of cationic modification of waxy maize starch, and should be suitable for use with cationic modified starches of any amylose content.     

Interpretation of the infrared and laser-Raman spectra of cyclopentene and perfluorocyclopentene

The infrared spectra of gaseous and polycrystalline cyclopentene and perfluorocyclopentene have been recorded from 3500 to 200 cm^?1. Raman spectra of the gaseous, liquid and crystalline states for the respective molecules have also been studied and depolarization values determined. In addition, the farinfrared spectrum of solid perfluorocyclopentene has been recorded from 33 to 300 cm^?1. The 33 normal modes of each molecule have been assigned on the basis of the measured depolarization ratios, relative band intensities and group frequency correlations. A series of lines associated with the Δv = 2 transitions of the ring-puckering vibration of gaseous cyclopentene were readily detected in the Raman spectrum. The ring-puckering fundamental of perfluorocyclopentene is assigned to the Raman line centered at 100 cm^?1. The data for these molecules will be discussed in conjunction with similar studies on other cyclic systems.     

The conformation and vibrational spectra of trans-1,4-dihalocyclohexanes: Part III. trans-1,4-Diiodo-, trans-1,4-bromoiodo- and trans-1,4-dibromocyclohexane

The IR spectra of trans-1,4-diiodo- and trans-1,4-bromoiodocyclohexane as solutes in various solvents, as pellets and as solids under high pressure are recorded in the region 4000–30 cm^?1. Additional spectra of the melts, amorphous and annealed crystalline solids at 90 K and dichroic spectra of oriented crystals are recorded above 200 cm^?1. Raman spectra of the amorphous and annealed solids at 90 K and as solutes in various solvents, are obtained, including polarization measurements. IR and Raman spectra of trans-1,4-di-bromocyclohexane in the temperature range 90–250 K are recorded. Equilibrium mixtures of ee and aa conformers of the title compounds are observed in solution, in the melts and in the amorphous solid at 90 K. The ee conformer only is present in the stable crystal, while the aa conformer predominates in apparently metastable crystals annealed to ca. 205 K. The concentration of the aa conformer increases under high pressure (50 kbar). Fundamental frequencies for both ee and aa conformers are assigned. A normal coordinate analysis is carried out, and the force Fields adjusted to nine halogenated cyclohexanes using the overlay technique.     

Raman Spectroscopic Determination of the Degree of Succinate in Modified Waxy Maize Starches

ABSTRACT

Waxy (essentially amylose-free) maize starch was chemically modified to varying degrees by treatment with succinic anhydride, and the degree of substitution was determined by a standard wet chemistry method. FT-Raman spectra of the modified starches were obtained, and indicated a characteristic ～1730 cm^?1 C=O stretch Raman band whose intensity was dependent on the degree of succinylation. The ratio of intensity of the ～1730 cm^?1 band to a ～940 cm^?1 C-C stretch Raman band (used as an internal standard) was plotted against the degree of succinylation determined by titration, and a linear fit was obtained with a correlation of 0.998. Hence FT-Raman spectroscopy represents a rapid non-destructive method to determine the degree of succinylation of modified waxy maize starch, and should be suitable for use with succinylated starches of any amylose content.     

The conformation and vibrational spectra of trans-1,4-dicyanocyclohexane

The IR spectra of trans-1,4-dicyanocyclohexane as a melt, as a solute in various solvents, as KI and polyethylene pellets and as amorphous and annealed crystalline solids at 90 K have been recorded in the region 4000-50 cm^?1. Additional spectra at high pressures (1–50 kbar) have been recorded and the dichroic ratios of oriented polycrystalline films are obtained above 200 cm^?1. Raman spectra of the compound as a melt, as an amorphous and crystalline solid at 90 K and dissolved in acetone, chloroform and benzene have also been recorded.The compound exists as an equilibrium mixture of ee and aa conformers in solution, in the melt and in the amorphous solid at 90 K, but as one conformer only, apparently the ee form, in the crystalline state. Unlike the corresponding dihalocyclohexanes, trans-1,4-dicyanocyclohexane cannot be converted to an “aa crystal” either by exposure to high pressure or by annealing to a metastable crystal.The fundamental frequencies of both conformers have been interpreted in terms of C_2h molecular symmetry and the assignments supported with a force constant calculation by the overlay technique transferring force constants from various related molecules.     

Raman spectral study of solid and dissolved poly(vinyl alcohol) and ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer

We have measured the Raman spectra of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH). Spectra of 88% hydrolyzed PVOH were examined from the partially crystalline solid, from PVOH dissolved in both H₂O and D₂O, and from films precipitated from these solutions. The spectrum in H₂O differs from that of the starting material by disappearance of sharp bands having Raman shift values of 1146 and 1093 cm^?1, strengthening of a band near 915 cm^?1, decrease in frequency of bands at 480, 1356, and 1441 cm^?1, and increase in frequency of bands at 369, 413, 1023, 1371, and 2910 cm^?1. The spectrum of the film shows partial reversal of these trends. With D₂O as the solvent, the band shifts are slightly different from those listed above and new bands appear. These changes are indicative of loss of crystallinity, change in stereochemistry, and partial deuteration of hydroxyl during dissolution of this PVOH sample at room temperature. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Direct observation of taut tie molecules in high-strength polyethylene fibers by Raman spectroscopy

The Raman spectra of four gel-spun high-strength polyethylene fibers were recorded as a function of stress, with detailed study of the 1063 cm^?1 band. The change in the peak position of this band was linear at low stresses, but there was little change at high stresses. The center of mass of the band moved linearly with stress until fracture, and the shift per unit stress was almost the same for all the fibers studied at 4.0 ± 0.5 cm^?1/GPa. The line shape is symmetric at low stresses, and the full width at half maximum increases with stress. When plastic deformation begins the band develops a broad low intensity tail extending to 1000 cm^?1. This corresponds to stresses of up to 15 GPa, and the tail contains up to 18% of the band intensity when the maximum stress is applied. Equivalent wide-angle x-ray studies showed no such tail, so the highly stressed material is not crystalline, although it must be in the all-trans form to contribute to the Raman peak. Such load-bearing extended-chain-disordered material is described as taut tie molecules. The amount is much larger than that usually derived from mechanical modelling, it is essentially all the amorphous material if the DSC crystallinity of 85% is correct. It is thought to be interfibrillar, stressed when fibrils slide past each other in creep. On unloading the fiber, the band became more symmetrical again but did not always return to its initial position at zero stress. The peak moved to a wave number greater than its initial value on unloading and then over time relaxed to its original value. Thus tensile stresses in the disordered material, balanced by compression in the crystals, are slow to relax. Lower molecular weight fibers (M_n = 8 × 10⁵) had small anelastic effects, probably because they relaxed within the time of the experiment.     

Spectroscopic studies of 1,4-dibromobutyne-2

Infrared spectra of 1,4-dibromobutyne-2 have been recorded over the 4000-200 cm^?1 region in the vapour, liquid, amorphous and crystalline states Raman spectra were extended to ca. 20 cm^?1 in the same states of aggregation, except for the non-recorded vapour phase spectrum. The temperature was varied between ?190 and 160 °C, and the pressure up to 10 kbar.A high proportion of the molecules exhibited free, internal rotation in the vapour and liquid phases, but to a smaller extent in the amorphous state at ?190 °C. For those molecules not being excited beyond the potential barrier, an unsymmetric conformation was preferred, whereas in the crystalline state the molecules possessed the anti conformation (C_2h) both at low temperature and at high pressure at ambient temperature.A vibrational analysis based upon force field calculations was carried out and the mean amplitudes of vibration computed. The data have been related to preliminary results from dipole moment and electron diffraction investigations.     

Raman spectroscopic study on boron-doped silicon nanoparticles

Raman analyses were performed on thin films prepared from B-doped Si nanoparticles with an average diameter of 15 nm using the spin-coating method. The resulting spectrum exhibited a broad band with a peak near 520 cm⁻¹. The band was decomposed into three bands corresponding to the crystalline, grain boundary (GB), and amorphous regions by the least-squares band-fitting method based on the three Voigt bands. The fractions of the crystalline, GB, and amorphous regions were 37%, 35%, and 28%, respectively. A spherical particle exhibited an ordered crystalline core surrounded by a disordered shell in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) image. The crystalline fraction of the 15-nm B-doped Si nanoparticle film was much lower than that of the 19-nm P-doped Si nanoparticle film. This result suggested that the B-doping mechanism was different from that of P-doping. The temperature of the sample was estimated from the ratio of the peak intensities of anti-Stokes to Stokes Raman bands (I^AS/I^S) observed near 520 cm⁻¹. The temperature of the B-doped Si nanoparticle film upon irradiation at a power density of 4.6 kW/cm² was 298 °C, whereas the temperature of the P-doped Si nanoparticle film was 92 °C. The B-doped Si nanoparticle films were capable of producing light-induced heat.     

Raman and Photoluminescence Spectroscopic Detection of Surface‐Bound Li+O2− Defect Sites in Li‐Doped ZnO Nanocrystals Derived from Molecular Precursors

We present a detailed study of Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence measurements on Li‐doped ZnO nanocrystals with varying lithium concentrations. The samples were prepared starting from molecular precursors at low temperature. The Raman spectra revealed several sharp lines in the range of 100–200 cm^?1, which are attributed to acoustical phonons. In the high‐energy range two peaks were observed at 735 cm^?1 and 1090 cm^?1. Excitation‐dependent Raman spectroscopy of the 1090 cm^?1 mode revealed resonance enhancement at excitation energies around 2.2 eV. This energy coincides with an emission band in the photoluminescence spectra. The emission is attributed to the deep lithium acceptor and intrinsic point defects such as oxygen vacancies. Based on the combined Raman and PL results, we introduce a model of surface‐bound LiO₂ defect sites, that is, the presence of Li⁺O₂^? superoxide. Accordingly, the observed Raman peaks at 735 cm^?1 and 1090 cm^?1 are assigned to Li? O and O? O vibrations of LiO₂.     

Surface-enhanced raman scattering from poly(4-vinyl pyridine)

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has been observed for poly(4-vinyl pyridine) absorbed onto silver island films. Bands near 1219 and 1613 cm^?1, which are weak in normal Raman spectra of PVP, are strong in SERS spectra, and the band near 1020 cm^?1, which is the strongest band in the normal spectra, is relatively weak in SERS. The strongest bands in the SERS spectra all belong to the same symmetry species as α_ZZ, implying that the pyridine moieties are adsorbed through the nitrogen atoms with a vertical conformation. The ring breathing mode of the pyridine rings is observed near 1020 cm^?1, a frequency characteristic of pyridinium ions or coordinated pyridine, providing further evidence for adsorption through the nitrogen atoms. Silver catalyzed photooxidation, which can lead to the appearance of artifacts in SERS spectra, particularly of polymers, can be reduced by overcoating SERS samples with thin films of polymers such as poly(methyl methacrylate) that have low Raman scattering cross sections.     

Infrared and raman spectra of methyl thiocyanate and conformations of some alkyl thiocyanates and isothiocyanates

The infrared spectra (3200-40 cm^?) of gaseous and solid methylthiocyanate and the Raman spectra (3200-10 cm^?) of the liquid and solid have been recorded. A complete vibrational assignment is presented based on group frequencies, infrared gas phase band contours, and Raman depolarization values. From the infrared and Raman spectra of the solid, it is clear that there are at least two molecules per primitive cell. The spectral results will be discussed and compared to other alkyl thiocyanates and isothiocyanates.     

IR,Raman, and Surface‐enhanced Raman Spectroscopic Study on Triruthenium Dipyridylamide Diruthenium Nickel Dipyridylamide Family: Metal‐metal Bonding and Structures

We report the infrared, Raman, and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of triruthenium dipyridylamido complexes and of diruthenium mixed nickel metal‐string complexes. From the results of analysis on the vibrational modes, we assigned their vibrational frequencies and structures. The infrared band at 323–326 cm^?1 is assigned to the Ru₃ asymmetric stretching mode for [Ru₃(dpa)₄Cl₂]^0–2+. In these complexes we observed no Raman band corresponding to the Ru₃ symmetric stretching mode although this mode is expected to have substantial Raman intensity. There is no frequency shift in the Ru₃ asymmetric stretching modes for the complexes with varied oxidational states. No splitting in Raman spectra for the pyridyl breathing line indicates similar bonding environment for both pyridyls in dpa^– , thus a delocalized structure in the [Ru₃]^6–8+ unit is proposed. For Ru₃(dpa)₄(CN)₂ complex series, we assign the infrared band at 302 cm^?1 to the Ru₃ asymmetric stretching mode and the weak Raman line at 285 cm^?1 to the Ru₃ symmetric stretching. Coordination to the strong axial ligand CN^– weakens the Ru‐Ru bonding. For the diruthenium nickel complex [Ru₂Ni(dpa)₄Cl₂]^0–1+, the diruthenium stretching mode ν_Ru‐Ru is assigned to the intense band at 327 and 333 cm^?1 in the Raman spectra for the neutral and oxidized forms, respectively. This implies a strong Ru‐Ru metal‐metal bonding.     

IR and Raman Vibrational Assignments for Metal-free Phthalocyanine from Density Functional B3LYP／6-31G（d） Method

Vibrational (IR and Raman) spectra for the metal-free phthalocyanine (H2Pc) have been comparatively investigated through experimental and theoretical methods. The frequencies and intensities were calculated at density functional B3LYP level using the 6-3 IG(d) basis set. The calculated vibrational frequencies were scaled by the factor 0.9613 and compared with the experimental result. In the IR spectrum, the characteristic IR band at 1008.cm^-1 is interpreted as C-N (pyrrole) in-plane bending vibration, in contrast with the traditional assigned N-H in-plane or out-of-plane bending vibration. The band at 874 cm^-1 is attributed to the isoindole deformation and aza vibration. In the Raman spectrum, the bands at 540, 566, 1310, 1340, 1425, 1448 and 1618 cm^-1 are also re-interpreted. Assignments of vibrational bands in the IR and Raman spectra are given based on density functional calculations for the first time. The present work provides valuable information to the traditional empirical assignment and will be helpful for further investigation of the vibration spectra of phthalocyanine analogues and their metal complexes.     

The infrared spectra of amorphous solid water and ice Ic between 10 and 140 K

Absorption spectra from 4000 to 1200 cm^?1 of amorphous solid water and polycrystalline ice I_c have been measured between 10 K and 140 K. Warm up and recooling of an H₂O sample prepared at 10 K gives rise to both irreversible and reversible changes in the peak frequency, band width, and peak height as well as the integrated intensity of the OH stretching band. These spectral effects are related to structural differences. The structure of amorphous solid water also depends on deposition conditions. The optical constants of amorphous so water are determined at 10 K and 80 K from a Kramers-Kronig analysis of the transmission spectra taking into account reflection and interference losses. The astrophysical implication of the temperature dependence of peak frequency and band width of the 3250 cm^?1 band in amorphous solid water is discussed briefly.