The Surface Chemistry of Adsorbates on Crystalline Polymers

University Of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln NE

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract CHE-0415421 Dowben/Nebraska Professor Dowben at Nebraska and Professor Zhang at Florida International University, along with their coworkers, are investigating the interaction of small molecular species with the surfaces of crystalline polymer materials. With the support of the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, they are using a combination of angle resolved thermal desorption, photoelectron diffraction, scanned probe microscopy, and calculational approaches to develop a fundamental understanding of the interaction of molecular species with characterizable polymer surfaces. This information is relevant to technologies ranging from electronic device packaging to sensor systems. The interaction of water and polymer precursor molecules with the surface of semiconducting polymer materials is of fundamental importance to the technologies of electronic materials processing and polymer material growth. With the support of the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, Professors Dowben and Zhang are carrying out basic studies of the interaction of these small molecules with the surfaces of well-characterized polymer materials, using a combination of experimental and theoretical probes.