Light Scattering Measures “Green” Polymer Properties
Changes in customer and investor preferences, an evolving regulatory environment, potential liability for “chemicals of concern,” and a growing corporate awareness of the importance of “green chemistry” are driving an ever-greater focus on sustainable materials, processes, and products. These concerns are especially pronounced for commodity polymers like disposable or temporary medical devices, product packaging materials, or personal care products. These end segments make up about 73% of the polymer end market that is pursuing bioplastic or biopolymer alternatives. Many sustainable products can operate more efficiently or have a longer, less polluting service life than their conventional counterparts. They may be more reusable or recyclable, or they may better lend themselves to environmentally responsible disposal.
Transitioning from well-established feedstocks to newer bioderived materials requires a thorough analysis of the new feedstock’s composition and properties and an understanding of how these factors affect manufacturing processes and product performance. Laboratory analysis ensures consistent product quality by assessing variability in natural-product feedstocks and determining tolerances in this variability. Analysis during the process development stage assists in smoothly adapting an existing process or introducing a new process by identifying and correcting potential pitfalls in the early stages. Quality control monitoring provides assurance that the new process is working as intended and that customers continue to receive products that meet or exceed their expectations. Laboratory studies also provide solid data on the expected service lifetime, recyclability, and biodegradability of products so that companies can back up their guarantees and provide their customers with reliable information on usage.
Light-scattering techniques have evolved into an indispensable tool for evaluating polymer properties including molecular weight, composition, chain length, polydispersity, conformation, and branching. Used as a stand-alone technique or in tandem with chromatography, refractometry, or spectroscopy, light scattering lets manufacturers know what they are starting with and that they can monitor their processes at every step. Here, we discuss how light scattering is used to characterize sustainable polymers in the pharmaceutical and medical products, packaging, and personal care products industrial sectors.
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Photo credit: Alan Levine, public domain
