Characterisation of adsorbed polymer film structure by dynamic surface tension and dilational elasticity

The characteristics of transverse and longitudinal surface waves on solutio ns of polyethylene glycols (PEG) and polyethylene oxides (PEO) have been me asured as a function of time. These data allow to determine the kinetic dep endence of the dynamic surface elasticity. It is shown that conformational transitions in the surface layer of polymer solutions can take place when t he surface tension is almost constant. Therefore one has to be especially c areful while trying to use experimental surface tension data in order to ch aracterise the structure of polymer adsorption films. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sci ence B.V. All rights reserved.