Material swelling studies using MP-SPR: Cellulose in water vapor and polymer barrier in solvent vapors
Application Note #159
Multi-Parametric Surface Plasmon Resonance (MP-SPR) detects interaction of vapors with different materials in real time and without help of any labels. As the method works with thin films and minute volumes, the measurements are fast and highly sensitive.
Swelling of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) in water vapors was measured using MP-SPR. Saturated saline solutions were utilized to form different water vapor contents to passing air flow. and the thickness of the film changed from 34.5 nm to 36.1 nm.
In a separate study, the uptake of ethanol and toluene vapor by block copolymer films was studied using MP-SPR. The uptake showed linear increase when vapor concentration was changed from 0% to 100% using 10% steps, and barrier properties of the film were evaluated.