The metastability of a thin film refers to the co-existence of stable and unstable states as a function of film thickness. The film is unstable at low film thicknesses, whereas at large thicknesses, the film is stable unless heterogeneous nucleation takes place. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) thin films were chosen in this research as PVOH is a water-soluble, thermally stable, atactic yet semi-crystalline polymer. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer was chosen as the substrate material because it has an extremely low glass transition temperature and can modulate the extent of the instability that it exerts on the PVOH thin films. Film-preparation methods included both static adsorption and dynamic spin coating. As-prepared and thermally annealed thin films were analyzed using contact angle goniometry, ellipsometry, optical microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. PDMS molecular weight, PVOH solution concentration, spin rate, and thermal annealing allowed the control of the PVOH film thickness and morphology. Among the parameters probed, PDMS molecular weight plays a substantial role in controlling the stability of the PVOH thin films. Metastability was observed when PDMS molecular weights between ~200 Da and ~2000 Da were employed.

Elucidation of conditions for metastable poly(vinyl alcohol) thin films on polydimethylsiloxane substrates

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

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