Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is one of the most important instrumental techniques used to study the molecular structure of organic polymers. As part of our efforts to increase instrumental use in the undergraduate chemistry laboratory we have developed a quantitative FTIR experiment for use in our analytical and instrumental courses. The objective of the experiment is to determine the % composition of PVAC in copolymers and blends with polyethylene (PE) and n-vinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). We report on the experimental methods used and the results obtained on examining the quantitative FTIR and elemental analysis of a series of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVAc) copolymers. The EVAc copolymers ranged from 10% to 80% of PVAc. Copolymers and blends of n-vinyl pyrrolidone � polyvinyl acetate ranging from 20 to 70% PVP were also analyzed.

Quantitative analysis of blends and copolymers of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and elemental analysis (EA)

248th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.