Solid State NMR spectroscopy in polymer science

The properties of solid polymers are determined to a large extent by the structure, order, and dynamics of the molecules which make up the polymers on a molecular scale as well as by the morphological domain structure involving the size and type of crystalline, amorphous and interfacial phases. Solid state NMR spectroscopy is a method particularly suited to the investigation of the properties of individual molecules since their resonance frequency depends on the structure and on the orientation of a molecular segment in the magnetic field. In addition, morphological aspects can be studied by following the spin diffusion between individual phases. This review covers NMR techniques devised recently to address such polymer specific questions. Solid state NMR spectroscopy is a powerful technique which can be used to investigate structural aspects of, and dynamic processes in polymers. An example of the spectra which can be obtained is shown in the Figure, from which information concerning molecular reorientation can be obtained, one of the processes determining the properties of solid polymers. This review describes the NMR techniques devised recently to examine the structure, order, and dynamics of the molecules which make up the polymers.