Journal of Applied Crystallography

Volume 37, Part 4 (August 2004)

laboratory notes

J. Appl. Cryst. (2004). 37, 672-674 [ doi:10.1107/S0021889804012026 ]

The elimination of the influence of ambient environmental effects on the structure of `inert' polymers

L. G. Rosa, P. A. Jacobson, R. Lemoine and P. A. Dowben

Abstract: The construction and use of a vacuum chamber suitable for conventional X-ray diffraction has revealed the influence of the ambient environment, including moisture, on the bulk structure of very thin polymer films. It is concluded that studies of thin film organic systems, even those thought not to be perturbed by ambient water vapor and other contaminants, may benefit from undertaking some studies in such small sample vacuum chambers.

Keywords: polymers; thin films; vacuum chambers.