Investigation of Polymer Phase Behavior at Heterogeneous Polymer-Polymer Interfaces using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry.

Abstract

Changes in the thermodynamic behavior of polymer blends from bulk to heterogeneous interfaces is investigated using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The use of a magnetic sector spectrometer (CAMECA IMS-6f) is fully explored in order to determine the optimal conditions in which to probe polymer surfaces and heterogeneous interfaces using three bilayer film systems, namely polystyrene (PS) with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate) (PCHMA) with PMMA, and PS with poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP). Two primary ion beams have been employed, O2+ with detection of positive secondary ions, and Cs+ with detection of negative secondary ions. It was found that each polymer thin film system must be closely investigated in order to determine the optimal conditions for depth profiling using SIMS. Three types of systems were further investigated using SIMS.

Description

Keywords

depth profiling, secondary ion mass spectrometry, thermodynamics, polymer films

Citation

Degree

PhD

Discipline

Materials Science and Engineering

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