Shape variation of micelles in polymer thin films

Dewetting of thin polymer films.

We study the dewetting of thin polymer films deposited on slippery substrate. Recent experiments on these systems have revealed many unexpected features. We develop here a model that takes into account the rheological properties of polymer melts, focussing on two dewetting geometries (the receding of a straight edge, and the opening of a hole). We show that the friction law associated with the ...

Electrohydrodynamic Instabilities in Thin Polymer Films

Slip effects in polymer thin films.

Probing the fluid dynamics of thin films is an excellent tool for studying the solid/liquid boundary condition. There is no need for external stimulation or pumping of the liquid, due to the fact that the dewetting process, an internal mechanism, acts as a driving force for liquid flow. Viscous dissipation, within the liquid, and slippage balance interfacial forces. Thus, friction at the solid/...

Chain entanglement in thin freestanding polymer films.

When a thin glassy film is strained uniaxially, a shear deformation zone (SDZ) can be observed. The ratio of the thickness of the SDZ to that of the undeformed film is related to the maximum extension ratio, lambda, which depends on the entanglement molecular weight, M(e). We have measured lambda as a function of film thickness in strained freestanding films of polystyrene as a probe of M(e) in...

Non-Fickian Diffusion in Thin Polymer Films

Diffusion of penetrants through polymers often does not follow the standard Fickian model. Such anomalous behavior can cause difficulty when designing polymer networks for specific uses. One type of non-Fickian behavior that results is so-called case I1 diffusion, where Fickian-like fronts initially move like fi with a transition to a non-Fickian concentration profile and front speed for modera...