A Review of 129 Xe NMR as a Probe of Polymer Morphology

Abstract

¹²⁹ Xe NMR is a new tool for probing the morphology of polymers and polymer blends. Recent developments of the NMR of ¹²⁹ Xe gas dissolved in polymers are reviewed. This technique yields information on polymer morphology via the NMR lineshape and the isotropic chemical shift and their temperature dependencies. Polymer glass transition temperatures are plainly evident. The miscibility of polymer blends is easily determined and thus phase diagrams may be mapped out. Of particular use is the potential ability to measure domain sizes in immiscible polymer blends by 2-D NMR techniques. Domain sizes from 0.1 micrometers to 25 micrometers should easily be measurable.