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The use of atomic force microscopy for imaging the surfaces of polyamide, 6
Author(s) -
Tušek Lidija,
Strnad Simona,
StanaKleinschek Karin,
Ribitsch Volker,
Werner Carsten
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/1521-3900(200205)181:1<467::aid-masy467>3.0.co;2-3
Subject(s) - materials science , polyamide , foil method , crystallization , wafer , spherulite (polymer physics) , annealing (glass) , composite material , atomic force microscopy , morphology (biology) , thin film , microscopy , crystallography , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , polymer , optics , chemistry , physics , biology , engineering , genetics
The surface morphologies of PA 6 resulting from the use of various processing methods were studied by tapping mode atomic force microscopy. Three PA 6 samples: (1) a thin film, spin coated on a silicon wafer, (2) a freestanding film, i.e. a foil and (3) a monofilament, show definite morphological differences revealing typical supramolecular structures. The thin film having thickness of app. 35 nm is a good example of the initial step of spherulite formation where the sheaf development is still prominent. In an area of 100 μm 2 1‐4 spherulites can be detected which are typical of crystallization from the solution. The annealing (vacuum, 195°C, 3.5h) causes additional crystallization, which leads to a radial coordination and enlargement of spherulites to app. 50% in diameter and up to 40% in height. The morphology of foil (thickness of 100 μm) can be interpreted as a system of spherulites formed from the melt, and a typical fibrillar structure is observed on the surface of monofilament.