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Macromolecules, Vol.28, No.8, 2595-2601, 1995
Amphiphilic Networks .9. Surface Characterization
Amphiphilic networks consisting of hydrophobic polyisobutylene and a hydrophilic polymer, such as poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) or poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMAAm), were prepared and their surfaces characterized by various techniques. According to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) C-1s spectra, the atomic ratios O/C and N/C were considerably lower at the outermost surface (ca. 20-100 Angstrom) than in the bulk of the networks. The surface morphologies of amphiphilic networks of various compositions were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The surface microroughness greatly increased by swelling in water or n-heptane which suggests surface heterogeneity. According to surface energetics studies by dynamic contact angle (DCA) measurements of dry and wet samples, the surfaces of the networks are heterogeneous and highly mobile; specifically, dry surfaces rapidly rearrange upon exposure to water.
Keywords:POLYMERS