Micro-FTIR measurements on individual interplanetary dust particles

The unique characteristics of micro-FTIR spectroscopy for the study of individual interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) are discussed: (1) quick and nondestructive identification of dominant silicate phases (pyroxenes, olivines, layer lattice silicates) and selection of unique IDPs for subsequent intensive study by complementary analytical techniques; (2) identification of potential carbonaceous carrier phases of isotopic anomalies; (3) measurement of IR absorption features in IDPs that can be compared with IR emission features obtained by telescopic observations from comets and protostars.     

Polystyrene-based blend nanorods with gradient composition distribution

The polystyrene-based polymer blends, partially miscible poly(bisphenol A carbonate)/polystyrene (PC/PS) and completely miscible poly(2,6-dimethylphenylene oxide)/polystyrene (PPO/PS), in nanorods with gradient composition distribution were discussed. The polymer blend nanorods were prepared by infiltrating the polymer blends into nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates via capillary action. Their morphology was investigated by micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (micro-FTIR) and nano-thermal analysis (nano-TA) with spatial resolution. The composition gradient of polymer blends in the nanopores is governed by the difference of viscosity and miscibility between the two polymers in the blends and the pore diameter. The capillary wetting of porous AAO templates by polymer blends offers a unique method to fabricate functional nanostructured materials with gradient composition distribution for the potential application to nanodevices.