Electron microscopy and polymers: designing material properties through structural control

Electron microscopy enables the direct, high resolution visualisation of microstructural features present within materials. As such, it can be used to study the rules which govern the development of morphology and to search for anomalous features resulting from processing problems or ageing. Here, attention will be focused on the former topic, as it relates to the semi-crystalline polymers polyethylene and polypropylene. Interest in this area stems from the direct connections between microstructure and properties; optimised microstructures give improved materials and therefore, improved understanding is one means to technological advancement. More academically, the ability to characterise specimens, ensure reproducibility or, even better, build-in key features before an experiment, can reduce uncertainty and, subsequently, aid interpretation of results