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Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful and sensitive technique for the detection of fingerprint signals of molecules and for the investigation of a series of surface chemical reactions. Many studies introduced quantitative applications of SERS in various fields, and several SERS methods have been implemented for each specific application, ranging in performance characteristics, analytes used, instruments, and analytical matrices. In general, very few methods have been validated according to international guidelines. As a consequence, the application of SERS in highly regulated environments is still considered risky, and the perception of a poorly reproducible and insufficiently robust analytical technique has persistently retarded its routine implementation. Collaborative trials are a type of interlaboratory study (ILS) frequently performed to ascertain the quality of a single analytical method. The idea of an ILS of quantification with SERS arose within the framework of Working Group 1 (WG1) of the EU COST Action BM1401 Raman4Clinics in an effort to overcome the problematic perception of quantitative SERS methods. Here, we report the first interlaboratory SERS study ever conducted, involving 15 laboratories and 44 researchers. In this study, we tried to define a methodology to assess the reproducibility and trueness of a quantitative SERS method and to compare different methods. In our opinion, this is a first important step toward a “standardization” process of SERS protocols, not proposed by a single laboratory but by a larger community.

The paper present the synthesis of a series of nylons as constituent polymers of parts obtained by rotational molding via activated anionic copolymerization of caprolactam with laurolactam. The initial mold temperature (initial polymerization temperature) was kept constant at 160° for all experiments. The initial laurolactamn content influence was investigated in terms of nylon yield, viscosity, density, melting temperature, degree of crystallinity, water absorption, impact strength and flexural modulus. The characteristics of copolymers were compared with those of the polyamide 6. From X-ray diffraction patterns and FT JR spectra it was found that the obtained polyamides are predominantly in the α-form.

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In situ anionic polymerization of °-caprolactam in the presence of SiO2 and silanated SiO2nanoparticles was promoted as a route for the synthesis of two series of nylon 6/SiO2 nanocomposites. The process was performed at 160°C well below the melting temperature of the nylon 6 ( Tm ~ 225°C) and initiated/activated with sodium dicaprolactamato-bis(2-methoxyethoxo)aluminate/ N, N′[methylene-di(4,4′phenylene)bis-carbamoyl]bis- δ-caprolactam system. The nanocomposites obtained exhibit higher onset decomposition temperatures than neat nylon 6 and a tendency of reduction of the polymer yields, degree of polymerization, water absorption and melting temperatures with silica content increasing. The crystallization temperature, Tc of the nanocomposites reaches a maximum value at 2.0 wt.% of the nanoparticles. The mechanical tests of nanocomposites revealed an increase in flexural modulus as a function of filler percentage and a decrease in notched impact strength by addition of the modified silica (over 4.0 wt.%) and unmodified silica. Furthermore, the flexural strength diminishes both the treated and untreated filler content is increased for concentration of ~ 4.0 wt.%

Surface of biaxially oriented poly(ethylene terephthalate) films was chemically modified by exposure to ethylenediamine (EDA), triethylenetetramine (TETA), and tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) for different treatment times. Variable angle attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy was used in conjunction with weight loss measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy to establish the surface modification and to draw the depth profile of the newly created species, with emphasis on amide group. A clear differentiation was found between the effects of the three amines studied: EDA produces the highest amidation degree but, because of its deep penetration into the film, leads to delamination of rather thick layers, TETA reacts at and near surface and develops surface cracks without delamination, and TEPA is the mildest reactant, generating amide groups on the surface without visible deterioration of the sample. It was proved that the amide II absorption band became weaker with increasing analyzed depth, with a pronounced heterogeneity near the surface. SEM micrographs showed the development of cracks onto the surface at longer aminolysis time, which allowed a better understanding of ATR‐FTIR observations. Assuming an exponential decay for the depth profile spectrally obtained, the surface concentration of amide groups and the decay constant were determined for the amines and reaction times used. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010

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