DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/GBB6-HH69

Defense Date

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Engineering

First Advisor

Kenneth Jr Wynne

Abstract

To create functional surfaces for soft materials, such as polyurethanes, our approach is to use a semifluorinated surface modifier as minor component to the matrix material. The surface modifier, driving by reduction in surface energy, surface-concentrates to form a functionalized surface layer at the air-polymer interface. In our previous studies, linear PTMO-based polyurethanes were used as the matrix material. These systems undergo slow surface phase separation at room temperature due to the thermodynamically immiscibility of the soft blocks. In this study, chemically crosslinked matrix was developed to provides a steric hindrance to constrain the mobility of surface modifier and to form a kinetically stable surface. The physical property and morphology of base crosslinked matrix has been characterized using DSC, UTT, DMA and AFM. The surface morphology of surface modified crosslinked matrix has been characterized using AFM, DCA and XPS.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

December 2011

Included in

Engineering Commons

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