title: Dynamic wetting of polyisoprene melts: influence of the end group.
abstract: The spontaneous spreading of drops of polyisoprene melt terminated with methyl (PI-CH(3)), hydroxyl (PI-OH), and carboxyl groups (PI-COOH) on hydrophilic silicon surfaces has been studied experimentally. Despite the fact that all three polymers have a similar surface tension (0.032 N/m) at the polymer-air interface, the equilibrium contact angles were 29 degrees, <5 degrees, and 20 degrees, respectively. Spreading of PI-OH and PI-COOH is slowed down as compared to PI-CH(3), most probably due to the strong interfacial binding of the hydroxyl or carboxyl end group to the surface. We interpret and discuss the dynamic wetting experiments using the hydrodynamic and molecular kinetic theory of wetting.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Chuanjun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Elmar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonaccurso
authors.forename: Mordechai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sokuler
authors.forename: Günter K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Auernhammer
authors.forename: Hans-Jürgen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Butt