Shear modulation force microscopy study of near surface glass transition temperatures
We report results of glass transition (T(g)) measurements for polymer thin films using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The AFM mode, shear modulation force microscopy (SMFM), involves measuring the temperature-dependent shear force on a tip modulated parallel to the sample surface. Using this method we have measured the surface T(g) of thin (17-500 nm) polymer films and found that T(g) is independent of film thickness (t>17 nm), strength of substrate interactions, or even presence of substrate.
Ge
S
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, State University of New York, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2275, USA.
Pu
Y
Zhang
W
Rafailovich
M
Sokolov
J
Buenviaje
C
Buckmaster
R
Overney
RM