© 1985 IUPAC Characterization of solid polymers by luminescence techniques

Abstract — The characteristic features of luminescence from solid polymers are compared with the emission from the isolated 'monomer'. The dominance of excimer emission in the solid enables this to be used for the characterization of polymer blends, relaxation processes and transport properties. These may also be studied by electronic energy transfer and the incorporation of a luminescent probe enables the characterization of non-luminescent polymers. While fluorescence and phosphorescence are of limited application for the identification of polymers and additives, they are of particular value in studying degradation and stabilization. Chemiluminescence observed during polymer oxidation can be used to study molecular relaxations,oxidation rates and the process of deformation and failure