Thermal characterization of polymer thin films using modulated differential scanning calorimetry

Author

Crystal E. Porter

Abstract

"Modulated differential scanning calorimetry was used to thermally analyze separate thin films of poly( methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS) that were adsorbed on silica and subsequently dried. The effects of surface coverage, adsorption medium, aging, and polymer/substrate interactions on the glass transition temperature (T_g) were investigated. For all of the treated samples, the half-height and the breadth of the T_g transitions increased with decreasing coverages compared to bulk and was the result of restrictions in mobility.

PMMA-treated samples had an increase in the glass transitions' onset and end temperatures whereas PS treated samples with the same coverages had a slight decrease in the onset temperature and an increase in the end temperature. In addition, the T_g span for the PS samples was not as broad as compared to PMMA-treated samples. The differences in the thermal behavior were due to the differences in the polymers' interactions with the substrate.

When PMMA was adsorbed from a polar solvent system, the T_g and its breadth increased compared to samples adsorbed from a poor solvent system. It was proposed that this was due to the polymer's extended configuration on the substrate. After aging the polymer at room temperature for approximately a year, the thermal behavior of the low-coverage PMMA sample became more like that of the sample from the mixed solvent system. Presumably, the polymer chains rearranged into more stable configurations and attached more of their segments to the substrate"--Abstract, page iv.

Advisor(s)

Blum, Frank D.

Committee Member(s)

Chandrashekhara, K.
Dharani, Lokeswarappa R.
Ercal, Nuran
Van-De-Mark, Michael R.

Department(s)

Chemistry

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Chemistry

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

Spring 2000

Pagination

xiv, 150 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references.

Rights

© 2000 Crystal Elaine Porter, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Dissertation - Restricted Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Polymethylmethacrylate -- Thermal Properties -- Analysis
Calorimetry
Glass transition temperature

Thesis Number

T 7758

Print OCLC #

45657390

Electronic OCLC #

909029197

Link to Catalog Record

Electronic access to the full-text of this document is restricted to Missouri S&T users. Otherwise, request this publication directly from Missouri S&T Library or contact your local library.

Recommended Citation

Porter, Crystal E., "Thermal characterization of polymer thin films using modulated differential scanning calorimetry" (2000). Doctoral Dissertations. 1344.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/doctoral_dissertations/1344