Spectral parameters for quantitative mobility contrast in NMR imaging of solid polymers

Different procedures based on parameters of the wideline NMR absorption spectrum are presented to obtain localized molecular mobility contrast for imaging of solid polymers. For this purpose a ¹H-NMR imaging technique with magic sandwich echoes is used for acquiring localized wideline spectra. With samples composed of polystyrene and high impact strength polystyrene, and polycarbonate and low density polyethylene a spatial difference in NMR absorption spectrum lineshape and linewidth is displayed. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of rigid and mobile domains in a heterogeneous polymer can be derived from the NMR spectral components. It is demonstrated that a van Vleck moment analysis can be performed from spatially resolved magic echo decays. The second (M₂) and fourth (M₄) moments of the rigid components show considerable variation with the spatial composition of the investigated samples.