Quantifying Chemical Reactions and Interfacial Properties at Buried Polymer/Polymer Interfaces

Maleic anhydride (MAH)-modified polymers are used as tie layers for binding dissimilar polymers in multilayer polymer films. The MAH chemistry which promotes adhesion is well characterized in the bulk; however, only recently has the interfacial chemistry been studied. Sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG) is an interfacial spectroscopy technique which provides detailed information on interfacial chemical reactions, species, and molecular orientations and has been essential for characterizing the MAH chemistry in both nylon and ethyl vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) model systems and coextruded multilayer films. Here, we further characterize the interfacial chemistry between MAH-modified polyethylene tie layers and both EVOH and nylon by investigating the model systems over a range of MAH concentrations. We can detect the interfacial chemical reaction products between MAH and the barrier layer at MAH concentrations of ≥0.022 wt % for nylon and ≥0.077 wt % for EVOH. Additionally, from the concentration-dependent reaction reactant/product SFG peak positions and the product imide or ester/acid C═O group tilt angles extracted from the polarization-dependent SFG spectra, we quantitatively observe concentration-dependent changes to both the interfacial chemistry and interfacial structure. The interfacial chemistry and molecular orientation as a function of MAH concentration are well correlated with the adhesion strength, providing important quantitative information for the future design of MAH-modified tie layers for a variety of important applications.

Probing Interfacial Aging of Model Adhesion Joints under a Hygrothermal Environment at a Molecular Level

Generally, for adhesive joints, the polar water molecules in humid environments can have a critical effect on the interfacial structures and structural evolution adjacent to the solid substrates. Regarding this, it is still a big challenge to detect and understand the interfacial hygrothermal aging process at the molecular level in real time and in situ. In this study, to trace the interfacial hygrothermal aging process of a classical epoxy formula containing diglycidyl ether of biphenyl A (DGEBA) and 2,2'-(ethylenedioxy) diethylamine (EDDA) with sapphire and fused silica in a typical hygrothermal environment (85 °C and 85% RH), sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy was used to probe the molecular-level interfacial structural change over the time. The structural evolution dynamics at the buried epoxy/sapphire and epoxy/silica interfaces upon hygrothermal aging were revealed directly in situ. The interfacial delamination during hygrothermal aging was also elucidated from the molecular level. Upon hygrothermal aging, the interfacial CH signals, such as the ones from methyl, methylene, and phenyl groups, decreased significantly and the water OH signals increased substantially, indicating the water molecules had diffused into the interfaces and destroyed the original interactions between the epoxy formula and the substrates. Further analysis indicates that when the integrated signals in the CH range declined to their minimum and leveled off, the interfacial delamination happened. The tensile experiment proved the validity of these spectroscopic experimental results. Our study provides first-hand and molecular-level evidence on a direct correlation between the diffusion of the surrounding water molecules into the interface and the evolution/destruction of the interfacial structures during hygrothermal aging. More importantly, it is proved, SFG can be developed into a powerful tool to noninvasively reveal the local interfacial delamination in real time and in situ under extreme hygrothermal conditions, complemented by the mechanic test.

Molecular Interactions between Amino Silane Adhesion Promoter and Acrylic Polymer Adhesive at Buried Silica Interfaces

In this study, the influence of an amino silane (3-(2-aminoethylamino)-propyldimethoxymethylsilane, AEAPS) on the interfacial structure and adhesion of butyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate copolymers (BAMMAs) to silica was investigated by sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG). Small amounts of methacrylic acid, MAA, were included in the BAMMA polymerizations to assess the impact of carboxylic acid functionality on the glass interface. SFG was used to probe the O-H and C═O groups of incorporated MAA, ester C═O groups of BAMMA, and CH groups from all species at the silica interfaces. The addition of AEAPS resulted in a significant change in the molecular structure of the polymer at the buried interface with silica due to specific interactions between the BAMMA polymers and silane. SFG results were consistent with the formation of ionic bonds between the primary and secondary amines of the AEAPS tail group and the MAA component of the polymer, as evidenced by the loss of the MAA O-H and C═O signals at the interface. It is extensively reported in the literature that methoxy head groups of an amino silane chemically bind to the silanols of glass, leaving the amine groups available to react with various chemical functionalities. Our results are consistent with this scenario and support an adhesion promotion mechanism of amino silane with various aspects: (1) the ionic bond formation between the tail amine group and acid functionality on BAMMA, (2) the chemical coupling between the silane head group and glass, (3) migration of more ester C═O groups to the interface with order, and (4) disordering or reduced levels of CH groups at the interface. These results are important for better understanding of the mechanisms and effect of amino silanes on the adhesion between acrylate polymers and glass substrates in a variety of applications.

Solvent-Dependent Adhesion Strength of Electroless Deposited Ni-P Layer on an Amino-Terminated Silane Compound-Modified Si Wafer

Amino-terminated silane compound modification was wet-processed on a silicon wafer using four different solvents to investigate the property of the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) and its influence on the adhesion of electroless deposited nickel-phosphorus (Ni-P) films. Analyzed by various tools including dynamic light scattering, the atomic force microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma with mass spectroscopy, a proper link between the processing solvent and SAM quality is established. It is found that at least the chemical compatibility, the polarity, and the acidity of solvents can affect the final morphology of the resultant SAM. Unlike toluene and ethanol that are most frequently chosen in literature, we conclude that isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is a superior solvent for amino-terminated silane compounds. Owing to the good SAM quality formed in IPA, the adhesion of electroless deposited Ni-P films is largely strengthened, even as high as the bulk strength of silicon wafers.

Structures and Adhesion Properties at Polyethylene/Silica and Polyethylene/Nylon Interfaces

The molecular structures of buried interfaces of maleic anhydride grafted and ungrafted polyethylene films with silica and nylon surfaces were studied in situ using sum-frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy. Grafting maleic anhydride to polyethylene altered the molecular structures at buried interfaces, including changing the orientation of polymer methylene groups and resulting in the presence of C═O groups at silica interfaces. These molecular level changes are correlated with enhanced adhesion properties, with ordered C═O groups and in-plane orientation of the methylene groups associated with higher levels of adhesion. While improved adhesion was observed for grafted polyethylene at the nylon interface, no C═O groups were detected at the interface using SFG, for films thermally treated at 185 °C. In this case, either no C═O groups are present at the interface or they are disordered; the latter explanation is more likely, considering the observed improvement in adhesion.

Sum Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy for Characterization of Buried Polymer Interfaces

Sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG-VS) has become one of the most appealing technologies to characterize molecular structures at interfaces. In this focal point review, we focus on SFG-VS studies at buried polymer interfaces and review many of the recent publications in the field. We also cover the essential theoretical background of SFG-VS and discuss the experimental implementation of SFG-VS.

Plasma treatment effect on polymer buried interfacial structure and property

Adhesion is important in many industrial applications including those in the microelectronics industry.

Influence of the side chain and substrate on polythiophene thin film surface, bulk, and buried interfacial structures

We elucidated the effects of the polythiophene side chain and the substrate surface hydrophobicity on polythiophene thin film–substrate interfacial interactions; such interactions influence the interfacial structure, bulk film structure, and the surface structure.