Articles | Volume 6, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/mr-6-317-2025
https://doi.org/10.5194/mr-6-317-2025
Research article
 | 
15 Dec 2025
Research article |  | 15 Dec 2025

Static-gradient NMR imaging for depth-resolved molecular diffusion in amorphous regions in semicrystalline poly(tetrafluoroethylene) film

Natsuki Kawabata, Naoki Asakawa, and Teruo Kanki

Cited articles

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Asakawa, N. and Obata, T.: A utilization of internal/external quasi-static magnetic field gradients: transport phenomenon and magnetic resonance imaging of solid polymers, Polymer journal, 44, 855–862, 2012. a, b
Asakawa, N., Matsubara, K., and Inoue, Y.: Low-dimensional lattice diffusion in solids investigated by nuclear spin echo measurements, Chemical Physics Letters, 406, 215–221, 2005. a
Axelrod, S. and Sen, P. N.: Nuclear magnetic resonance spin echoes for restricted diffusion in an inhomogeneous field: Methods and asymptotic regimes, The Journal of Chemical Physics, 114, 6878–6895, 2001. a
Blumich, B.: NMR imaging of materials, vol. 57, OUP Oxford, ISBN 019850683X, 2000. a
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Short summary
We developed a new, low-cost nuclear magnetic resonance imaging method to visualize how molecules move inside a solid polymer film. By examining different depths of a polytetrafluoroethylene film, we discovered that molecular motion is strongly limited near the supporting surface but more active at the air side. This finding helps explain how local environments affect the flexibility of polymer materials.
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