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D E Demco

Publications and source records attributed to D E Demco.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Selective residual dipolar couplings in cross-linked elastomers by 1H double-quantum NMR spectroscopy.

1H double-quantum (DQ) solid-state NMR spectroscopy under fast magic-angle spinning (MAS) is introduced as a new spectroscopic tool for the investigation of the structure and local chain dynamics of elastomers. Dipolar connectivities between the protons of the various functional groups can be directly established from the highly resolved DQ solid-state NMR spectra as is shown for a series of cross-linked poly(styrene-co-butadiene). More quantitatively, residual dipolar couplings within and between the functional groups are evaluated selectively from the build-up curves of the double-quantum signals in the limit of the spin-pair approximation. In particular, the CH-CH and the CH2-CH couplings of butadiene, which both act predominantly along the chain-segment direction, have been measured relative to the CH2 coupling. The total build-up intensity is correlated with the cross-link density.

Cross-Linking Reagents↗

Multiple nonlinear stimulated echoes.

Three-pulse sequences in the presence of magnetic field gradients at high magnetic fields produce multiple nonlinear stimulated echoes (NOSE) at times ntau1 after the third pulse, where n is an integer and tau1 the interval between the first two pulses. These phenomena are due to the demagnetizing field produced by the spatial modulation of the nuclear magnetization arising in the sample after the first two pulses. The theory is presented and compared with experiments. The dependence of the NOSE amplitudes on the flip angles and on the pulse intervals is described. Implications for multidimensional NMR experiments based on sequences of three or more pulses in the presence of field gradients are discussed.

Dimethylpolysiloxanes↗

Spectral parameters for quantitative mobility contrast in NMR imaging of solid polymers.

Different procedures based on parameters of the wideline NMR absorption spectrum are presented to obtain localized molecular mobility contrast for imaging of solid polymers. For this purpose a 1H-NMR imaging technique with magic sandwich echoes is used for acquiring localized wideline spectra. With samples composed of polystyrene and high impact strength polystyrene, and polycarbonate and low density polyethylene a spatial difference in NMR absorption spectrum lineshape and linewidth is displayed. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of rigid and mobile domains in a heterogeneous polymer can be derived from the NMR spectral components. It is demonstrated that a van Vleck moment analysis can be performed from spatially resolved magic echo decays. The second (M2) and fourth (M4) moments of the rigid components show considerable variation with the spatial composition of the investigated samples.

Chemical Phenomena↗

The influence of molecular motion on cross-polarization in cross-linked elastomers.

The effect of molecular motion on the heteronuclear cross-polarization rate for the case of the spin-lock procedure was investigated. In applying heteronuclear solid state NMR techniques to mobile elastomer systems the influence of molecular motion cannot be neglected. Starting in the slow motion regime a strong collision model was used for predicting changes of the cross-polarization rate in the dipolar spectral density function of abundant spins. The dipolar correlation time and hence the cross-polarization rate is found to scale with the inverse of the correlation time of the molecular motion. The same behavior is obtained using a second approach valid in the intermediate molecular motion regime. This is based on the effect of the motion on the homonuclear and heteronuclear van-Vleck moments and leads to a linear dependence of the cross-polarization rate on the correlation time of molecular motion. This dependence was verified experimentally by 1H-13C high-resolution cross-polarization measurements on sulfur cross-linked elastomer systems. 13C rotating frame spin-lattice relaxation rate measurements were used to corroborate these data and the approximations used to evaluate the influence of molecular motion on cross-polarization rates. The dependence of these rates on the cross-link density of the elastomer network is analyzed and it is shown that they scale with the cross-link density. The correlation of the 1H-13C cross-polarization rates with the dynamic storage moduli was demonstrated.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Magic echoes and NMR imaging of solids.

Solid state NMR imaging techniques based on magic echoes are reviewed. The theoretical background of magic echoes in general and their spatial encoding in particular is treated. The magic-echo imaging pulse sequences presently in use are described and discussed. Particular emphasis is devoted to those techniques, which allow the incorporation of spectroscopic or parameter-selective information. The applicability of these methods for the investigation of materials is demonstrated and perspectives for materials science are outlined.

Image Enhancement↗

Proton spin diffusion for spatial heterogeneity and morphology investigations of polymers.

The diffusion of Zeeman spin order in the laboratory frame for a system with microscopic spatial heterogeneity, due to either molecular mobility or chemical heterogeneity, has been analysed by solving the diffusion equation in the limit of two different models. By simulation of proton spin diffusion nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral areas for poly(ethylene oxide) we have demonstrated, for both models, the sensitivity of these observables to phase domain size and to the dimensionality of the diffusion process. The possibility to obtain information about the morphology is analysed. Results from calculations based on the two models are compared with experimental spin diffusion results from 1H NMR spectra of poly(ethylene oxide). Two methods for filtering the z-magnetization from the different phase domains in a solid are discussed. The efficiency of a magnetization dipolar filter based on magic and polarization echoes is presented.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy↗

Segmental anisotropy in strained elastomers detected with a portable NMR scanner.

Single-side NMR is particularly suitable for measurements of segmental anisotropy induced in elastomers by uniaxial forces or local strain. Proton transverse nuclear magnetic relaxation was investigated with the NMR-MOUSE by recording the Hahn-echo decay in cross-linked natural rubber bands. This provided information on the dependence of the Hahn-echo decay on the angle between the direction of the uniaxial stretching force and the axis Z defined direction perpendicular to the magnet pole faces of the NMR-scanner. The anisotropy effect on the Hahn-echo decay is correlated with the extension ratio, and it is more evident in the liquid-like regime of the decay. A weaker segmental anisotropy is detected by 1H solid- and Hahn-echo decays recorded by multi-pulse sequences. A qualitative understanding of the angular dependence is obtained by an analytical theory of the Hahn-echo decay adapted to the case of stretched elastomers and to strongly inhomogeneous magnetic fields. Using angular-dependent 1H residual second van Vleck moments and correlation times reported previously [P.T. Callaghan and E.T. Samulski, Macromolecules 30, 113 (1997)] from stretched natural rubber bands the segmental anisotropy measured in inhomogeneous magnetic fields by the Hahn-echo decay was numerically simulated. As an example of a macroscopic distribution of local segmental anisotropy, 1H Hahn-echo decays were measured by the NMR-MOUSE sensor in a stretched cross-linked natural rubber plate with a circular cut in the center.

Anisotropy↗

Solid-state NMR spectroscopy under periodic modulation by fast magic-angle sample spinning and pulses: a review.

Fast magic-angle spinning (MAS) holds promise for new approaches to pulsed high-resolution NMR in solids where homogeneous interactions dominate. Prerequisite for developing new pulse methods is the understanding of signal encoding by spin interactions under MAS conditions and of interferences between MAS and pulses. This review discusses corresponding strategies and techniques in a coherent way with particular concentration on homonuclear decoupling techniques for line-narrowing in solids.

Anisotropy↗

The NMR-MOUSE: quality control of elastomers.

New applications of the NMR-MOUSE (mobile universal surface explorer) to non-destructive quality control of elastomers are reported. One example concern the thermal aging of fast clutches which was probed by measurements of 1H transverse relaxation time. Novel methodological developments show that 1H double-quantum filtered NMR signals can be generated in the inhomogeneous fields of the NMR-MOUSE for characterization of residual dipolar couplings. This technique was applied to characterize reference natural rubber samples with different crosslink density and carbon black and silica fillers.

Elastomers↗