Polymer Surfaces

Deposition of thin adhesion-promoting polymer layers

Materials interact with their environment through their surface. Different surface properties may considerably improve their strength and reliability.

The Division’s competence comprises modification and characterization of polymer surface chemistry, in particular with regard to  hydrocarbon- and carbon-based materials. A special feature of these material classes is the complete lack of functional groups on the surface. This lack makes certain materials such as polyolefins and graphitic materials chemically very resistant, but they are then unable to produce mechanically and chemically stable composites on their surfaces.

The Division researches into adhesion enhancing interface phenomena and optimizes interface structures. An important objective is the introduction of functional groups in polyolefins and carbon materials. For this purpose methods are being developed to create uniform functional groups which enable chemical coupling of composite materials at their interfaces to occur.

Deposition of thin adhesion-promoting polymer layers

The Division develops new concepts in modification of interfaces and composite materials and carries out joint research with partners from industry.

The Division’s prime objective is enhancing the performance and safety of components with modified interfaces and surfaces. The application of this research may provide by-products such as friction reduction, corrosion protection or barrier and anti-fouling arrangements or layers that can immobilize biomolecules.

Objectives

• Targeted functionalization of polymers using new modification or coating methods
• Analysis of surface-modified polymers layers and interfaces
• Chemical modification of polymer interfaces to produce highly adhesive and resistant polymer composites
• Characterization of the electrical, dielectric and thermal properties of polymers;
  Measurement of dielectric and thermal properties of 10 nm to 500 nm thin layers
• Chemical and plasma-chemical modification of carbon nanoparticles
• Producing expert reports for damage analyses on polymer materials

Competence

Safety of components with modified interfaces and surfaces
Production, modification and safety of nanoparticles
Analysis of nano-structured polymer systems

Task force

Integrity of Components with Modified Interfaces and Surfaces
Dr. rer. nat.  R.-D. Schulze
phone: +49 30 8104-3344
email: rolf-dieter.schulze@bam.de

Analysis of Nanostructured Polymer Systems
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Andreas Schönhals
phone: +49 30 8104-3384
email: andreas.schoenhals@bam.de

Stability and Reactivity of Nanoparticles in Thin Films and Material Surfaces
Dr. rer. nat. Asmus Meyer-Plath
phone: +49 30 8104-3394
email: asmus.meyer-plath@bam.de

Methods and equipment

• FTIR-spectroscopy, ATR, GIR/IRRAS, fibre-optic ATR coupling, DRIFT
• Photoelectron spectroscopy (ESCA), also coupled with a plasma device
• Dielectric spectroscopy in a frequency range of 10^-5 to 10⁹ Hz and in a temperature range of - 150 °C to 400 °C
• Thermal spectroscopy in a frequency range of 10 to 5 x 10³ Hz and in the temperature range of - 150 °C to + 300 °C
• Reactors for low-pressure plasma treatment and polymerization using simultaneous vaporization and plasma diagnosis techniques (plasma MS, OES and plasma potential measurement as well as possibilities to produce pulsed HF and MW energy)
• Equipment to generate a dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure, plasma jet
• Atmospheric inductively-couple rf  plasma reactors (ICP up to 80 KW) to produce and modify powders and layers
• Contact angle measuring instrument
• Thermal and electron beam evaporation equipment
• Layer production using casting, spin coating and electrospray
• Underwater plasma device

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