Fundamentals of Phase Separation in Polymer Blend Thin Films

2015
ISBN: 978-3-319-19398-4
Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buch, Englisch, 171 Seiten, HC runder Rücken kaschiert, Format (B × H): 160 mm x 241 mm, Gewicht: 4085 g

Reihe: Springer Theses

This work sheds new light on fundamental aspects of phase separation in polymer-blend thin films. A key feature underlying the theoretical models is the unification of one-dimensional thermodynamic phase equilibria with film evolution phenomena in two- and three dimensions. Initially, an established 'phase portrait' method, useful for visualising and calculating phase equilibria of polymer-blend films, is generalised to systems without convenient simplifying symmetries. Thermodynamic equilibria alone are then used to explain a film roughening mechanism in which laterally coexisting phases can have different depths in order to minimise free energy. The phase portraits are then utilised to demonstrate that simulations of lateral phase separation via a transient wetting layer, which conform very well with experiments, can be satisfactorily explained by 1D phase equilibria and a 'surface bifurcation' mechanism. Lastly, a novel 3D model of coupled phase separation and dewetting is developed, which demonstrates that surface roughening shadows phase separation in thin films.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Coveney, Sam

Fachgebiete

• Technische Wissenschaften Maschinenbau | Werkstoffkunde Technische Mechanik | Werkstoffkunde Materialwissenschaft: Polymerwerkstoffe
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Thermodynamik Oberflächen- und Grenzflächenphysik, Dünne Schichten
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Thermodynamik Festkörperphysik, Kondensierte Materie
• Technische Wissenschaften Verfahrenstechnik | Chemieingenieurwesen | Biotechnologie Technologie der Kunststoffe und Polymere

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Development of Theory for Bulk Polymer-Blend Systems.-  Development of Theory for Polymer-Blend Thin Films.- Hamiltonian Phase Portraits for Polymer-Blend Thin Films.- Lateral Phase Separation via Surface Bifurcation.- Coupled Surface Roughening and Phase Separation.

Über Autor(innen)

This work sheds new light on fundamental aspects of phase separation in polymer-blend thin films. A key feature underlying the theoretical models is the unification of one-dimensional thermodynamic phase equilibria with film evolution phenomena in two- and three dimensions. Initially, an established 'phase portrait' method, useful for visualising and calculating phase equilibria of polymer-blend films, is generalised to systems without convenient simplifying symmetries. Thermodynamic equilibria alone are then used to explain a film roughening mechanism in which laterally coexisting phases can have different depths in order to minimise free energy. The phase portraits are then utilised to demonstrate that simulations of lateral phase separation via a transient wetting layer, which conform very well with experiments, can be satisfactorily explained by 1D phase equilibria and a 'surface bifurcation' mechanism. Lastly, a novel 3D model of coupled phase separation and dewetting is developed, which demonstrates that surface roughening shadows phase separation in thin films.