A method for rheological measurements of air sensitive samples

The rheology of air or moisture sensitive liquids, gels, and glasses requires complicated rheometer-in-glovebox laboratory setups. Here, we demonstrate the use of a heavier-than-air cover gas, sulfur hexafluoride, and the design of a cover gas container that can attach to the lower geometry plate of any rheometer to carry out rheology experiments on air-sensitive liquids and soft solids. Rheological measurements of air-reactive ionic liquid trimethylsulfonium bromide-AlCl3, moisture sensitive titanium(IV) propoxide, and glycerin demonstrate the effectiveness of the cover-gas method for loading samples on acquiring correct temperature dependent viscosity data of the sample in the absence of reaction products.