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Image analysis of macroporous polystyrene sorbents using electron spectroscopic imaging to enhance mass contrast. The architectural relationship between polymer porosity and absorption capacity
Author(s) -
Huxham I. M.,
Rowatt B.,
Tetley L.,
Sherrington D. C.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2818.1991.tb03130.x
Subject(s) - polymer , materials science , polystyrene , divinylbenzene , porosity , nanometre , chemical engineering , copolymer , absorption (acoustics) , colloid , composite material , engineering , styrene
SUMMARY We describe the microscopical analysis of two polystyrene divinylbenzene copolymers (PS‐DVB) made using 20 and 55% (v/v) DVB cross‐linker respectively, in which the hydrated structure of each polymeric material solvated in water is preserved by employing very rapid freezing and low‐temperature freeze‐drying techniques. Using the zero‐loss mode of electron spectroscopic imaging to enhance the contrast of unstained polymer sections, we introduce some novel methods for the application of computer‐assisted image analysis for routine examination of polymer pore structure. We also relate these parameters to the ability of the two polymers to absorb nanometre‐sized particles—neutral colloidal gold particles and cationized ferritin. Both methods will be invaluable in the structural analysis of porous polymers, but particularly for comparative analyses of macroporous sorbents.