Atomic Force Microscopy Studies of Phase Ordering in Polymer Blends and Clay-Filled Systems

Published

August 1, 2000

Author(s)

V Ferreiro, Jack F. Douglas, Alamgir Karim, G Coulon

Abstract

Many industrial applications require a control of the morphology of thin polymer films. The morphology of thin polymer films depends on many factors : method of formation, tendency of film components to mix or dewet, the crystallization of film components, the presence of filler particles, etc. In the present note, we explore the use of AFM as a tool for probing the changes in film morphology that accompany phase ordering processes (phase separation, crystallization). In a first part we use the Phase Imaging in order to image and distinguish the amorphous region from the crystalline lamellae in a semicrystalline polymer (polyamide 6). In the second part, we consider the added feature of phase separation superposed on crystallization. The crystallization process is a symmetry breaking perturbation that can be used to manipulate film structure. We also investigate how the presence of clay filler particles in polymer films modifies the local stiffness of polymer films.

Proceedings Title

American Chemical Society; Division of Polymer Chemistry, Meeting | | | American Chemical Society (ACS)

Volume

41

Issue

No. 2

Conference Dates

August 1, 2000

Conference Title

Polymer Preprints

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

AFM, clay-fillers, crystallization, dendrite, phase imaging, phase separation

Citation

Ferreiro, V. , Douglas, J. , Karim, A. and Coulon, G. (2000), Atomic Force Microscopy Studies of Phase Ordering in Polymer Blends and Clay-Filled Systems, American Chemical Society; Division of Polymer Chemistry, Meeting | | | American Chemical Society (ACS), [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=851730 (Accessed October 24, 2025)