Using Mw dependence of surface dynamics of glassy polymers to probe the length scale of free surface mobility

Yu Chai , Thomas Salez (1) , James A Forrest

1 LOMA - Laboratoire Ondes et Matière d'Aquitaine

We describe a series of surface levelling experiments in glassy polystyrenes (PS) of varying molecular weight. The resulting evolution through a mobile surface layer is described by the glassy thin film equation that was introduced and used in previous works. Previously defined correlation functions provide figures of merit that indicate if one waits long enough after the initial preparation of the stepped film, that the profiles are well described by known evolution equations. The results are discussed in terms of the length scale for surface mobility in glassy PS.

Domaines: Matière Molle [cond-mat.soft]; Science des matériaux [cond-mat.mtrl-sci]; Systèmes désordonnés et réseaux de neurones [cond-mat.dis-nn]; Dynamique des Fluides [physics.flu-dyn]; Mécanique des solides [physics.class-ph]; Mécanique des matériaux [physics.class-ph]; Mécanique des fluides [physics.class-ph]

Yu Chai, Thomas Salez, James A Forrest. Using Mw dependence of surface dynamics of glassy polymers to probe the length scale of free surface mobility. 2019. ⟨hal-02271644v1⟩