Polymer Surface and Interface Characterization Techniques

Abstract

The surfaces and hidden interfaces of polymers play an important role in the properties and applications of polymers. The most important characterization techniques are briefly discussed and compared with each other with respect to the information that can be gained, but also with respect to applicability to polymer surface and interface analysis. This survey should help in the choice of the techniques for a particular problem and provides an introduction to the more detailed descriptions of individual techniques of the book. Surfaces and interfaces are important for many properties and applications of polymers, although one often may not recognize their importance at first glance. This is for instance true for inhomogeneous polymer blends, where the interface between different phases plays a crucial role for mechanical properties, or for the application of ultra-strength composite materials in airplanes, where adhesion between material layers is essential. But also for everyday polymeric parts, for instance in toys or automotives, one may ask questions like “how do they feel” or “how do they look” which might critically influence the decision for the purchase of the product. Those properties also depend on “the surface”, where the optical or mechanical appearance for the user, and also corrosion or scratch resistance, are determined by surface composition and structure. The analysis of polymer surfaces and interfaces in many cases requires quite special techniques, and often only a combination of different techniques can help. It is however the prerequisite for the understanding and finally the dedicated design of the properties. This is in particular the case, when functional or smart surfaces or interfaces are desired, which for instance provide biocompatibility, switching or adaptive properties.