High-speed MAS-NMR investigations on radiation-modified fluoropolymers

Fluoropolymers possess an interesting combination of physical and chemical properties. In order to utilize these properties in combination with other materials, the compatibility of the fluoropolymers with those materials has to be improved by a suitable modification process. As one modification process the irradiation with high-energy electrons has been applied. High-speed MAS solid-state NMR has been used to characterize the structural changes in fluoropolymers resulting from the irradiation. The high MAS rotation frequencies, applied here, average the anisotropy of the chemical shift and the homonuclear dipolar coupling. Despite the fact that the electron irradiation results in a low concentration of modifications, the dynamic range of the solid-state NMR experiment is sufficient to detect and characterize the modifications.