Lanthanide Photoluminescence for Polymer Charge Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the anionic charge density of polymers are limited by the need for a relatively pure sample and known polymer concentration, making them impractical for use in complex environments like oil and gas recovery, where degradation occurs.
Innovation Solution
A method using time-resolved photoluminescence with lanthanide (III) ions to determine anionic charge density, independent of polymer molecular weight, which involves pre-treating the sample, interacting it with a developer solution, exciting, and detecting the signal to quantify anionic charge density without requiring polymer concentration knowledge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional analytical techniques (conductivity titration, NMR, etc.) are used to determine anionic charge density, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the method requires a relatively pure sample and known polymer concentration, increasing device complexity and ease of operation difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (fluorescent probe or lanthanide complex) that mediates between the polymer and the detection system. This intermediary binds to the polymer and provides a fluorescent signal that is proportional to the anionic charge density, eliminating the need for pure samples or known concentrations while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/chemical separation and purification systems with an optical detection system. Instead of using titration, NMR, or other complex analytical instruments requiring sample preparation, the method uses fluorescent detection that works directly with crude samples, significantly simplifying the operational procedure
2Measurement precision
If complex purification steps are performed to obtain pure samples for conventional methods, then measurement precision is maintained, but productivity decreases due to additional processing time and steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for measurement (anionic charge density) by using a fluorescent probe that selectively binds to anionic groups. This allows direct measurement of the target parameter in crude samples without extracting or purifying the polymer, thereby maintaining precision while dramatically increasing productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-incubating the sample with the fluorescent probe before measurement. This pre-complexation step ensures that the probe is already bound to the polymer when measurement begins, eliminating the need for subsequent purification steps and enabling rapid determination
3Measurement precision
If polymer concentration is measured to determine anionic charge density using conventional methods, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the measurement of polymer concentration and anionic charge density into a single fluorescent detection step. The fluorescent signal intensity simultaneously reflects both the amount of polymer present and its anionic charge density, eliminating the need for separate concentration measurements and simplifying the overall procedure while maintaining precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method provides a simple and practical means to determine anionic charge density in various samples, including those from oil and gas wells, independent of molecular weight, and is suitable for polymers with different structures and compositions, offering insights into polymer degradation and optimizing solution adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
exciting the sample at an excitation wavelength of λexc and detecting, by time-resolved photoluminescence, a signal originating from the lanthanide (III) ions that have interacted with the at least one polymer
Implementation Method 2
detecting, by time-resolved photoluminescence, a signal originating from the lanthanide (III) ions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for determining the anionic charge density of at least one polymer present in a sample, according to the following steps:bringing the at least one polymer present in the sample into contact with, and enabling the interaction thereof with, a developer solution comprising lanthanide (III) ions,exciting the sample at an excitation wavelength λexc and detecting, by time-resolved photoluminescence, a signal originating from the lanthanide (III) ions that have interacted with the at least one polymer at an emission wavelength λem, anddetermining the anionic charge density of the at least one polymer of the sample using the signal detected at the emission wavelength λem.