Influences of Substrate Adhesion and Particle Size on the Shape Memory Effect of Polystyrene Particles

Published

March 29, 2016

Author(s)

Lewis M. Cox, Jason Killgore, Zhengwei Li, Rong Long, Aric Sanders, Jianliang Xiao, Yifu Ding

Abstract

Formulations and applications of micro- and nano-scale polymer particles have proliferated rapidly in recent years, yet knowledge of their mechanical behavior has not grown accordingly. In this study we examine the ways that compressive strain, substrate surface energy, and particle size influence the shape memory cycle of polystyrene particles. Using nanoimprint lithography, differently sized particles are programmed into highly deformed, temporary shapes in contact with substrates of differing surface energies. Atomic force microscopy is used to obtain in situ measurements of particle shape recovery kinetics and scanning electron microscopy is employed to assess differences in the profiles of particles at the conclusion of the shape memory cycle. Finally, finite element models are used to investigate the growing impact of surface energies at smaller length scales. Results reveal that the influence of substrate adhesion on particle recovery is size-dependent, and can become dominating at sub- micron length scales.

Citation

Langmuir

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

Shape Memory, Microparticles, Nanoparticles, Atomic Force Microscopy, Mechanical Properties

Citation

Cox, L. , Killgore, J. , Li, Z. , Long, R. , Sanders, A. , Xiao, J. and Ding, Y. (2016), Influences of Substrate Adhesion and Particle Size on the Shape Memory Effect of Polystyrene Particles, Langmuir (Accessed October 20, 2025)