Combined techniques of Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron two-dimensional x-ray diffraction for in situ study of anisotropic system: Example of polymer fibers under deformation

An in situ study of anisotropic system using combined techniques of Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron two-dimensional (2D) wide-angle x-ray diffraction (WAXD) was presented. A fiber-optic probe was used to remotely deliver the incident laser beam on the sample as well as to collect the Raman signal based on the confocal arrangement. The combination of the techniques yielded complementary information on the molecular structural evolution in both crystalline and amorphous phases. The 2D WAXD results demonstrated that the α-form isotactic polypropylene (iPP) crystals were converted into he mesophase upon stretching at room temperature.