FTIR Spectroscopy and Spectroscopic Imaging for the Analysis of Polymers and Multicomponent Polymer Systems

In this chapter, we review the developments in the field of polymer research using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic approaches, which can reveal valuable information about a range of polymer samples. The first section of this chapter will summarize some of the most important discoveries associated with the application of FTIR spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopic imaging for polymer research, such as miscibility in polymer blends, intermolecular interactions between polymers, and polymer crystallization. The second section will focus on high-pressure CO 2 -induced phase separation, crystallization, and swelling in polymers and multicomponent polymer system. The interaction between polymers and high-pressure CO 2 has a great effect on the physical and mechanical properties of polymers. Understanding the behavior of polymers and multicomponent polymer systems with or without high-pressure CO 2 is integral to understand and develop more efficient polymer processing routes. Finally, a summary of the most recent developments using FTIR spectroscopy and spectroscopic imaging will be provided with an outlook to future opportunities in this research field.