The research activities in the Analytical Department are integrated in the main fields of research of the Institute of Polymer Research. They especially include:

• Characterization of structure, morphology and interaction in functionalized linear and branched polymers, in block copolymers, in heterogeneous polymer blends and in composites by NMR, IR/Raman, Thermoanalysis, SEC with different detectors
  
  Topics:
  Hyperbranched Polymers and Dendrimers
  Maleicanhydride copolymer
  Hydrogels
  Polyesters and block copolymers
  Modified Polyolefines

Process Analytical Technology (PAT) by spectroscopic methods (FTIR, NIR, RAMAN, UV/VIS) and Ultrasonic measurements

• Quantification of contents of several Additives in PVC
• Quantification of contents of monomers in block copolymers
• Quantification of flame retardents  in polyamid
• Determination of composition of polymer blends
• Determination of content of  additives in polymer blends
• Determination of fillers in polymers
• Investigation of polymer nanocomposites (PP, PA / montmorillonite)
• Investigation of PP / wood flour mixtures
• Investigation of PP/ bamboo powder mixtures
• Investigation of PP/ hemp fiber mixtures
• In-line NIR and in-line Raman investigations of reaction/crosslinking in mixers
• Determination of particle sizes and distribution of nanoparticles in polymers 

In-situ analysis of chemical reactions by ATR/FTIR-, NIR- and Raman-Spectroscopy

• Monitoring of the synthesis of nanostructured polymeric organic-inorganichybrids by sol-gel process
• Monitorring of the polycondensation reaction of polyethylene-therephthalate(PET) in the melt
• Monitoring of the Polycondensation Reaction to Polysulfone (PSU)
• Monitoring of the metallocene catalyzed copolymerisation of propene
• Monitoring of the modification of hyperbranched polyurethane
• Characterization of surface layers and thin films by Variable Angle Spectroscopic and Imaging Ellipsometry

RAMAN Spectroscopy and RAMAN Imaging 

• Polymer and material analysis
• Depthprofil and 3-D analysis
• Surface, interface and structure analysis
• Investigation of surface modification, phase separation and chemical composition
• Investigation of carbon materials (carbon nanotubes, graphites, graphene)

Polymer Separation

• Scaling properties of model dendritic polymers
• Aggregation of dendronized polymers
• Quantification of polymer host-guest complexes
• Separation according to Branching by Phase Distribution Chromatography

 Important results could be find in the corresponding Publications.