IN-SITU ATOMIC-FORCE MICROSCOPY VISUALIZATION OF THE DEGRADATION OF MELT-CRYSTALLIZED POLY(SEBACIC ANHYDRIDE)

The surface degradation of melt-crystallized poly(sebacic anhydride) ( PSA) has been visualized in situ in an aqueous environment using atomi c force microscopy. The morphological changes accompanying degradation may be interpreted in terms of the preferential erosion of amorphous material revealing spherulitic crystalline features. The kinetics of p olymer degradation were found to be pH dependent as anticipated and al so dependent on the method of sample preparation, which influenced sur face crystallinity. The future exploitation of in situ atomic force mi croscopy for the study of polymer degradation promises to provide a un ique insight into the erosion process and enhance the current understa nding of the relationship between polymer microstructure and erosion k inetics.