Flash differential scanning calorimetry was used to study the glass transition temperature of polycarbonate thin films over a range of 22 � 350 nm. The investigation was made as a function of film thickness and cooling rate. The single layer spin cast films were floated on a layer of silicone oil on the calorimetric chip. The 350 nm polycarbonate thick films show the glass transition temperature is consistent with the bulk sample measured by conventional DSC.  However, the results for polycarbonate thin films (125 - 22 nm) show that Tg decreases as the film thickness decreases. The obtained data were compared with literature results in detail and our result is close to what is observed in supported films rather than freely standing films. Keywords: Flash differential scanning calorimetry, glass transition temperature, polycarbonate thin films.

Glass transition temperature of thin polycarbonate films: Measured by flash differential scanning calorimetry

247th National Meeting (2014)

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