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Phase-separation-induced surface patterns in thin polymer blend films

  • A. Karim
  • , T. M. Slawecki
  • , S. K. Kumar
  • , J. F. Douglas
  • , S. K. Satija
  • , C. C. Han
  • , T. P. Russell
  • , Y. Liu
  • , R. Overney
  • , J. Sokolov
  • , M. H. Rafailovich

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Atomic force microscopy (AFM), neutron reflection (NR) and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) are used to examine phase separation in symmetrically segregating thin polymer blend films (≤1000 Å). Phase separation in the film leads to undulations of the liquid-air interface, provided the film is sufficiently thin to suppress surface-directed spinodal decomposition waves. Flattened droplets are formed at a very late stage of phase separation, and the aspect ratio of these droplets can be rationalized by an interfacial free energy minimization argument.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)857-862
Number of pages6
JournalMacromolecules
Volume31
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 10 1998

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Materials Chemistry

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