The flexibility of network polymers in their dry form (elastomer) and wet form (gels) has inspired applications in flexible electronics, soft robotics, optics, sensors, and microfluidics. Often, surfaces of the elastomers and gels require modifications for desired applications. Current surface modification methods via ultraviolet-ozone (UVO) and/or O2 plasma, atomic layer deposition (ALD), plasmas deposition, and chemical treatment normally impart a dense polymer or inorganic layer on the surface that is brittle and easy to fracture. Here we report a simple and versatile method, based on gel-liquid infiltration polymerization (GLIP), to form hybrid skin layers atop elastomers. Using PDMS as a model system, the process allowed formation of hybrid polyamide (PA)/PDMS skin layers, which can sustain very large local strain without fracture, dramatically reduced the solvent/gas permeation, and improved gas selectivity. Unlike previous techniques, the skin layer formed here dramatically improves the barrier properties of the elastomer, while preserving skin layer flexibility. Moreover, the method is versatile and likely applicable to most interfacial polymerization systems and network polymers on flat and patterned surfaces.

Formation of a crack-free, hybrid skin layer with tunable surface topography on elastomers using gel-liquid infiltration polymerization

255th National Meeting (2018)

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