| Abstract: | Applications of the Electron Spectroscopic Imaging technique (ESI) within the field of multiphase polymer materials are discussed. Imaging with elastically scattered electrons as well as imaging with electrons with defined energy loss are presented. From the latter the net distribution of elements can be derived. Several examples are given: Glassy diblock copolymers polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinyl pyridine), polyethylenes, interpenetrating networks, interdiffusion couples, blends of polystyrene and polystyrene-graft-poly(oxyethylene), carbon black reinforced natural rubber, and epitactic growth of poly(1-pentenylene) on isotactic poly (propylene) surface. Visualization of the rigid amorphous phase in polyethylene is presented, as well as electron spectroscopic diffraction (ESD) of oriented PE. One of the features of ESI is due to the fact that discrimination between true morphology and artefacts is possible in an unbiased manner, even for minor details: Heavy metal staining is abandonable, and structural analysis by one element may be proved by analysis with other elements, which may be present in the sample or which may be added by chemical reaction or interaction with groups within the molecules. |
