The method is based on multiple 2D- or 3D-WET-NMR (WET = water suppression enhanced through T1 effect) in ultra-high field 900 MHz NMR equipment. This method allows to erase a plurality of signals derived from the main structure and the solvent. Using PET as a polymer, it was found that trace amounts of vinyl end groups had been generated by thermal decomposition during the manufacturing process. It is expected that this procedure can help in process development for purer polymers.
RIKEN news release, August 31, 2016
Mitsui and RIKEN develop NMR-based method for polymer end group analysis