INVESTIGATION OF POLYMER-POLYMER INTERFACES BY ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY

Abstract

The results of an experimental study of polymer-polymer interfaces in submicron films of polydiphenylene phthalide are presented. Using atomic force microscopy, it was found that polymer films have an internal structure, and the structural elements have the shape of spheroids. The properties of the polymer and the nature of the observed images made it possible to use a model of brittle polymer fracture to describe the results. A model of the formation of interface layers at the interface between the elements of the supramolecular structure and between sequentially deposited polymer layers is proposed. It was found that a transition layer with a thickness of about 10-20 nm formed by lateral fragments of polymer molecules is formed in the interface region.