FT-IR Analysis of High-Temperature Solid-Phase Reactions Using GC-IR Software

A method for following chemical reactions in polymers, using the GC-IR software on an FT-IR spectrometer and a high-temperature thermal cell, is discussed. The method reduces disk access time between the collection of each spectrum, allowing many more data points for kinetic experiments to be collected. The imidization reaction of polyimides above 200°C is given as an example.