Behavior of macromolecules near surfaces and interfaces of polymeric thin f
ilms and coatings may play a vital role in numerous applications. Therefore
, understanding of molecular level processes responsible for durability, ad
hesion, and many other macroscopic processes is of a particular importance.
This presentation will focus on stratification processes in multi-componen
t polymeric films, with particular emphasis to polymer-surfactant interacti
ons in latexes, responsiveness of individual components during coalescence
of water-borne polyurethanes, and behavior of thermoplastic olefins (TPO).
The presence of macromolecular arrange-ments and interactions among various
components near the film-air (F-A) and the film-substrate (F-S) interfaces
can be effectively monitored using attenuated total reflectance (ATR) and
step-scan photoacoustic (SS-PA) Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectros
copy. Both approaches are capable of obtaining information from various sur
face depths and complement each other if one seeks molecular level informat
ion from (C) 150 mu m into the film. If one combines ATR and PA information
with IR and/or Raman surface imaging, it is possible to obtain a 3-dimensi
onal representation of polymeric films.