With a focus on fundamentals and underlying physical principles, this text covers polymer melt surfaces, the structure of various polymer—polymer and polymer—nonpolymer interfaces, the molecular basis of adhesion, the properties of polymers at liquid surfaces, and more. Models of the behavior of polymers near interfaces based on statistical mechanics are introduced, with the emphasis on theory that is tractable and applicable to experimental situations. Experimental techniques for studying polymer surfaces and interfaces are reviewed and compared.

From the Preface: “...Our intention has not been to write an exhaustive treatment of polymer surfaces and interfaces but rather to produce a compact, reasonably complete treatment of the subject discussed at the level of the molecular length scales associated with polymers. This seemed appropriate because our approach was based on the statistical mechanics of coarse-grained models; a constant theme is the competition between enthalpy and entropy in polymers at or near interfaces of any kind. Thus we deal very lightly with the details of surface chemistry at the atomic level of resolution...”

Target Audience: Advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and research workers in physics, chemistry, and materials sicence with an interest in polymers and interfaces.

Table of Contents:

Introduction and Overview

The Surface of a Simple Polymer Melt

Experimental Techniques

Polymer/Polymer Interfaces

Adsorption and Surface Segregation from Polymer Solutions and Mixtures

Tethered Polymer Chains in Solutions and Melts

Adhesion and the Mechanical Properties of Polymer Interfaces at the Molecular Level

Polymers Spread at Air/Liquid Interfaces

Index