Raman scattering measurements in monitoring of polymer synthesis process

A fiberoptic Raman spectroscopy system was adapted to remote measurements made in conditions typical for chemical industry. This technique was used to diagnose a process of synthesis of amine-epoxy based hybrid polymers, developed as a new class of adhesive materials for optics. Hybrids, manufactured in sol-gel technology, have a great application potential, because their properties may be formed in wide range. However, to obtain a high quality product, a strict control of the manufacturing process must be ensured. The main goal of research, presented in this paper, was to investigate the course and efficiency of the most important reactions, which takes part during the gelation -- the first step of the sol-gel process. An optical system developed for the real-time monitoring was connected with typical glass reaction vessel and non-invasive measurements were made. The results enabled to find the appropriate conditions for the reaction between amine and epoxy groups. Moreover, time of the hydrolysis of monomers and condensation of inorganic network was measured as well as efficiency of these reactions was proved to be very high.