A Spectroscopic Study of the Surface Characteristics of Selected Copolymers

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The goal of this research is to gain an understanding of the surface molecular characteristics of selected copolymer systems based on poly(dimethylsiloxane). Composition profiles away from the surface and molecular orientation of the individual components will be studied as a function of the bulk chemical composition, molecular architecture, and molecular weight. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, employing attenuated total reflectance with barrier-layers, will be used as the primary method. The data will be compared with recent theoretical predictions on the surface ordering of diblock copolymers and established theories dealing with the ordering of copolymers in the bulk. The result of this research may lead to better theories in this field and have important implications in many practical aspects dealing with surface-related properties, such as adhesion and lubrication.