This work sheds new light on fundamental aspects of phase separation in polymer-blend thin films. A key feature underlying the theoretical models is the unification of one-dimensional thermodynamic phase equilibria with film evolution phenomena in two- and three dimensions. Initially, an established 'phase portrait' method, useful for visualising and calculating phase equilibria of polymer-blend films, is generalised to systems without convenient simplifying symmetries. Thermodynamic equilibria alone are then used to explain a film roughening mechanism in which laterally coexisting phases can have different depths in order to minimise free energy. The phase portraits are then utilised to demonstrate that simulations of lateral phase separation via a transient wetting layer, which conform very well with experiments, can be satisfactorily explained by 1D phase equilibria and a 'surface bifurcation' mechanism. Lastly, a novel 3D model of coupled phase separation and dewetting is developed, which demonstrates that surface roughening shadows phase separation in thin films.
| ISBN: | 9783319370156 |
| Publication date: | 15th October 2016 |
| Author: | Sam Coveney |
| Publisher: | Springer an imprint of Springer International Publishing |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 171 pages |
| Series: | Springer Theses |
| Genres: |
Condensed matter physics (liquid state and solid state physics) Engineering applications of polymers and composites Thermodynamics and heat Materials science |
This work sheds new light on fundamental aspects of phase separation in polymer-blend thin films. A key feature underlying the theoretical models is the unification of one-dimensional thermodynamic phase equilibria with film evolution phenomena in two- and three dimensions. Initially, an established 'phase portrait' method, useful for visualising and calculating phase equilibria of polymer-blend films, is generalised to systems without convenient simplifying symmetries. Thermodynamic equilibria alone are then used to explain a film roughening mechanism in which laterally coexisting phases can have different depths in order to minimise free energy. The phase portraits are then utilised to demonstrate that simulations of lateral phase separation via a transient wetting layer, which conform very well with experiments, can be satisfactorily explained by 1D phase equilibria and a 'surface bifurcation' mechanism. Lastly, a novel 3D model of coupled phase separation and dewetting is developed, which demonstrates that surface roughening shadows phase separation in thin films.
Fundamentals of Phase Separation in Polymer Blend Thin Films features in the following genres: Condensed matter physics (liquid state and solid state physics), Engineering applications of polymers and composites, Thermodynamics and heat, Materials science
Fundamentals of Phase Separation in Polymer Blend Thin Films is available in Paperback, Hardback
Fundamentals of Phase Separation in Polymer Blend Thin Films was written by Sam Coveney and published by Springer an imprint of Springer International Publishing
Fundamentals of Phase Separation in Polymer Blend Thin Films has 171 pages
Yes it is part of Springer Theses series