Deriving Molecular Parameters of Interfaces Between Chemically Identical Polymers from Macroscopically Observed Phenomena

Abstract

By utilizing model systems, macroscopically observable phenomena like friction or dewetting allow to identify and to quantify molecular interfacial parameters like molecular interpenetration depth, interfacial tension, or slippage length between grafted and free chemically identical polymers. We present experimental results, which permit to extract these parameters from simple contact angle measurements or by following the dewetting process in real time with a simple optical microscope. We also show how these model experiments can provide valuable insight and fundamental understanding of processes like polymeric friction and adhesion.