Synthesis and Morphology of Grafted Poly(caprolactone) Ultrathin Films
Abstract
It has been well established that the morphology in an ultrathin polymer film differs substantially from that of the bulk material. It is interesting to investigate the effect this constrained geometry has on the morphology and melting/crystallization behavior of a semi-crystalline polymer. We have synthesized low molecular weight poly(caprolactone) and poly(ethylene oxide) with a terminal triethoxysilane functional group and grafted them to an oxide surface to produce films between 3 and 10 nm thick. Examination of these films by AFM has revealed a unique pattern of crystalline regions exhibiting evidence of dendritic growth. These films have been further analyzed by Auger spectroscopy and surface plasmon spectroscopy to investigate amorphous polymer content and melting behavior.
- Publication:
-
APS March Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- March 1998
- Bibcode:
- 1998APS..MAR.Q3831G