Polymer−Solid Interfaces: Influence of Sticker Groups on Structure and Strength

Fabrication of Free-Standing, Self-Aligned, High-Aspect-Ratio Synthetic Ommatidia

Free-standing, self-aligned, high-aspect-ratio (length to cross-section, up to 15.5) waveguides that mimic insects' ommatidia are fabricated. Self-aligned waveguides under the lenses are created after exposing photoresist SU-8 film through the negative polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) lens array. Instead of drying from the developer, the waveguides are coated with poly(vinyl alcohol) and then immersed into a mixture of PDMS precursor and diethyl ether. The slow drying of diethyl ether, followed by curing and peeling off PDMS, allows for the fabrication of free-standing waveguides without collapse. We show that the synthetic ommatidia can confine light and propagate it all the way to the tips.

A molecular simulation study on the adhesion behavior of a functionalized polyethylene-functionalized graphene interface

Molecular dynamics simulations were applied to investigate interfacial adhesion between functionalized polyethylene (fPE) and functionalized graphene (fG) surfaces. In order to functionalize the PE and graphene surfaces, various types of functional groups were covalently bonded on the surfaces in a random manner. Adhesion between fPE and fG surfaces was evaluated by the calculation of work of separation (Wsep), while the interfaces were not allowed to relax. According to the simulation results, the combination of the atomic roughness effect and the electronic properties of the functional groups had influence on the adhesion between PE and graphene. The effect of surface reorganization was also investigated by devoting sufficient time for relaxation of the interface. The adhesion in the relaxed interfaces was evaluated via the work of adhesion (Wadh). Relaxation of the interface caused to decrease the atomic roughness of the PE surface, which enhanced adhesion in all of the systems compared to their unrelaxed models. In addition to surface flattening, relaxation also brought about an increase in the atomic density at the interface, which led to enhance the van der Waals interaction and increase interfacial adhesion.

Molecular self-assembly: smart design of surface and interface via secondary molecular interactions

The molecular self-assembly of macromolecular species such as polymers, colloids, nano/microparticles, proteins, and cells when they interface with a solid/substrate surface has been studied for many years, especially in terms of molecular interactions, adsorption, and adhesion. Such fundamental knowledge is practically important in designing smart micro- and nanodevices and sensors, including biologically implantable ones. This review gives a brief sketch of molecular self-assembly and nanostructured multifunctional thin films that utilize secondary molecular interactions at surfaces and interfaces.

Self-healing materials: a review

The ability of materials to self-heal from mechanical and thermally induced damage is explored in this paper and has significance in the field of fracture and fatigue. The history and evolution of several self-repair systems is examined including nano-beam healing elements, passive self-healing, autonomic self-healing and ballistic self-repair. Self-healing mechanisms utilized in the design of these unusual materials draw much information from the related field of polymer-polymer interfaces and crack healing. The relationship of material damage to material healing is examined in a manner to provide an understanding of the kinetics and damage reversal processes necessary to impart self-healing characteristics. In self-healing systems, there are transitions from hard-to-soft matter in ballistic impact and solvent bonding and conversely, soft-to-hard matter transitions in high rate yielding materials and shear-thickening fluids. These transitions are examined in terms of a new theory of the glass transition and yielding, viz., the twinkling fractal theory of the hard-to-soft matter transition. Success in the design of self-healing materials has important consequences for material safety, product performance and enhanced fatigue lifetime.

In situ compatibilizer-reinforced interface between a flexible polymer (a functionalized polypropylene) and a rodlike polymer (a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer)

We present an investigation of the interfacial reinforcement between a flexible folded-chain polymer (functionalized polypropylene-maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene, MAPP) and a rodlike polymer (a themotropic liquid crystalline polymer, TCLP - poly(ester amide)). Fracture toughness was measured using an asymmetric double-cantilever beam test (ADCB). High fracture toughness at the bonding temperature of 200 degrees C indicates that a chemical reaction has occurred at the interface to provide a strong interaction between MAPP and TLCP. Despite the higher modulus of TLCP, the fracture was propagated in the TLCP phase because of inherent TLCP domain structure. An analysis on the locus of failure revealed that at constant bonding temperature the fracture toughness between MAPP and TLCP was influenced not only by the bonding temperature but also by the bonding time. The fracture toughness increased with the bonding temperature until 200 degrees C was reached and then decreased at higher bonding temperature. The fracture toughness increased with annealing time until it reached a plateau value. We ascribe the dependence of the fracture toughness on the bonding time to the progressive occurrence of two different failure mechanisms, adhesive failure and cohesive failure. The adhesive strength increased with bonding temperature whereas the cohesive strength decreased because of weaker adhesion between TLCP crystalline domains. The dependence of fracture toughness on bonding time was explained in terms of the TLCP crystalline domain structure.

Characterization of sizing layers and buried polymer/sizing/substrate interfacial regions using a localized fluorescent probe

A novel technique is described to investigate buried polymer/sizing/substrate interfacial regions, in situ, by localizing a fluorescent probe molecule in the sizing layer. Epoxy functional silane coupling agent multilayers were deposited on glass microscope cover slips and doped with small levels of a fluorescently labeled silane coupling agent (FLSCA). The emission of the grafted FLSCA was dependent on the silane layer thickness, showing blue-shifted emission with decreasing thickness. The fluorescent results suggest that thinner layers were more tightly bound to the glass surface. The layers were also characterized by scanning electron microscopy, contact angle, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). When the FLSCA-doped silane layers were immersed in epoxy resin, a blue shift in emission occurred during resin cure, indicating the potential to study interfacial chemistry, in situ. Thicker silane layers exhibited smaller fluorescence shifts during cure, suggesting incomplete resin penetration into the thickest silane layers.