Mapping Chemically Heterogeneous Polymer System Using Chemical Modification and Atomic Force Microscopy

Published

August 1, 2000

Author(s)

D T. Raghavan, Tinh Nguyen, Mark R. VanLandingham, Xiaohong Gu

Abstract

Polymer coatings are heterogeneous and often contain nanoscale degradation -susceptible regions. Therefore, mapping and identification of these regions would provide essential information for understanding the mechanism of the degradation of polymeric coatings. A combination of phase imaging and nanoindentation in tapping mode FM has emerged as a powerful technique to provide direct mapping of surface morphology and identification of surface heterogeneity with nanometer resolution. The application of this technique for studying heterogeneity of unannealed and annealed poly(methyl methacrylate)/polybutadiene blends has been investigated. The effects of force level and annealing time on the phase image contrast and force curves are discussed. The results show that this combined technique can provide data to distinguish nano- and micro-scale heterogeneous domains in the blend films. The use of this technique for studying heterogeneity in a polyester film exposed to an alkaline solution is also presented.

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 Location

Undefined

Conference Title

Polymer Preprints

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

AFM, building technology, coating, degradation, heterogeneity, nanoindentation, phase imaging, polymer

Citation

Raghavan, D. , Nguyen, T. , VanLandingham, M. and Gu, X. (2000), Mapping Chemically Heterogeneous Polymer System Using Chemical Modification and Atomic Force Microscopy, American Chemical Society; Division of Polymer Chemistry, Meeting | | | American Chemical Society (ACS), Undefined (Accessed April 23, 2024)