Study molecular conformation using optical spectroscopy?

[Yinxiao Li]

I want to study the molecular conformation of conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) using optical spectroscopy. Obviously a lot of people have used optical spectroscopy to study the structure of conjugated polymers, including this conjugated polyelectrolyte. However, they did in when the CPE is in aqueous solution. My question is that can I study its structure after it is dried using the same method?

The basic method is to compare the results of (e.g. emission spectra) to decide if the structure has been changed.

 

[wilsont23274]

However, the results of dried CPE may be different from that in aqueous solution due to the aggregation of the polyelectrolyte chains and other possible conformational changes. Therefore, additional experiments such as X-ray diffraction or Raman spectroscopy may be required for a more detailed structural understanding of the CPE after it is dried.