Impact of Chain Architecture (Branching) on the Thin Film Thermal and Mechanical Behavior of Polystyrene

Published

November 18, 2011

Author(s)

Jessica M. Torres, Christopher Stafford, David Uhrig, Bryan D. Vogt

Abstract

The modulus and Tg of a series of PS samples with varying architecture are examined in thin films as a function of thickness. The bulk-like, thick film Tg is independent of polymer architecture: linear, comb, centipede and 4 armed star PS. However for ultrathin (< 40 nm) films, the Tg becomes dependent upon polymer branching. Relative to linear PS, there is a further reduction in Tg for the thinnest films for the centipede PS, while Tg of both comb and star PS is less impacted as the film thickness decreases. In order to better understand this Tg behavior, the modulus for these PS architectures is also examined as a function of film thickness. The modulus exhibited a similar dependence on architecture with the modulus of the comb PS independent of film thickness. These dependencies on the architecture are attributed to variations in packing efficiency and interchain entanglements with branching.

Citation

Journal of Polymer Science Part B-Polymer Physics

Volume

50

Issue

5

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

glass transition, modulus, polymers, thin films, confinement, wrinkling, branching, architecture

Citation

Torres, J. , Stafford, C. , Uhrig, D. and Vogt, B. (2011), Impact of Chain Architecture (Branching) on the Thin Film Thermal and Mechanical Behavior of Polystyrene, Journal of Polymer Science Part B-Polymer Physics (Accessed October 18, 2025)