Surface Mofification of Polymeric Nanocomposite Thin Films using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
We report on an efficient and environmentally friendly means to modify surface properties of polymer films supported for nanoparticles. Ultrathin polystyrene (PS) films (<300 Angstroms), in which inorganic nanoparticles were embedded, were exposed to supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO{sub 2}). The swollen structure was then preserved by quickly evaporating CO{sub 2}. X-ray reflectivity (XR) results showed that this procedure produced polymeric nanocomposite films with a low-density region of about 150 Angstroms at the polymer/air interface. The formation of the low-density layer was independent of the nature of the particles, indicating that the surface modification through exposure to scCO{sub 2} may be a universal phenomenon regardless of a choice of nanoparticles.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). National Synchrotron Light Source
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Doe - Office Of Science
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-98CH10886
- OSTI ID:
- 913761
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-78329-2007-JA; TRN: US200804%%55
- Journal Information:
- Top. Catal., Vol. 32
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Green Thin Polymer Film Metallization using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
Low-Temperature Reactive Coupling at Polymer-Polymer Interfaces Facilitated by Supercritical Carbon Dioxide