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Surface Characterization of Polymeric Materials

  Surface properties of polymeric materials are of fundamental importance in industrial  and technological processes (e.g., separation of liquid mixtures, bonding, coating and printing).  Surface modification and characterization are therefore critical to the processing of polymeric materials and the performance of polymeric products. This research utilizes the Axisymmetric Drop Shape Analysis - Profile (ADSA-P) technique, FTIR and various advanced microscopic techniques (AFM and SEM) to characterize the surfaces of selected polymeric materials used for the pervaporation separation of alcohol/water mixtures. The objectives are: (1) to obtain new insights into the surface characteristics of polymeric materials, such as surface wettability, roughness, microstructure, and chemical composition; (2) to apply the surface analysis results to design new/modified polymers for better separation in pervaporation [1].

[1] Hyder, M.N.;  Huang, R.Y.M.;  Chen, P.,  J. of Membrane Science, 283, 281, (2006).

3D AFM images of Polyvinyl Alcohol membranes


5% PVA Membrane


5% PVA Crosslinked (1% Glutaraldehyde) Membrane

Sessile drop (water) on Polyvinyl Alcohol membranes


5% PVA Membrane


5% PVA Crosslinked (1% Glutaraldehyde) Membrane