Sponsor:
German Research Foundation (DFG) within the http://www.dfg-spp1369.de/DFG priority program 1369 „Polymer-Surface Contacts: Interfaces and Interphases“

Contact persons:
Prof. Dr. M. Stamm
Dr. Astrid Drechsler
Dr. Andriy Horechyy

Duration:
2009-2012

Abstract:
Caused by the miniaturization in many branches of industry and life, interfacial effects play an increasing role. Especially in the field of nanocomposites it was found that relatively low filler contents affect macroscopic properties of the materials significantly. This is attributed to the formation of an interphase  - a thin layer of polymer molecules with a conformation and mobility different from that of the bulk molecules – at the interface to an inorganic material. The existence of an interphase was postulated from various indirect methods. The present project makes an attempt to make the interphase directly visible by Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy techniques and Scanning Force Microscopy. Furthermore the influence of the interphase formation on the distribution of inorganic nanoparticles in thin film composites is studied. The experimental work is supported by simulations done by the group “Theory of Polymers”.