This research focuses upon an important but largely unsolved problem: the dynamics of polymers at solid surfaces. The experimental strategy will be to make in situ experiments of the kinetics with which polymers first adsorb to a well-characterized single solid surface and then exchange with isotopically labelled polymers originally in free solution. Time constants will be determined for the exchange process and also for evolution of the bound fraction. They will investigate the dynamics underlying an overall equilibrium, chain relaxation between adsorption states, and the times required for reversibility of desorption and adsorption. Experimental variables of interest will include molecular weight of the chains, solution concentration, thermodynamic quality of the solvent, chain topology (linear and star), hydrodynamic flow conditions, and the functionality as well as density of functionality of the surface. The method of investigation will be infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflection. The findings of this research will be correlated with modern physical theories of polymer behavior and may find application in steric stabilization of colloidal systems, film formation, chromatography, and lubrication.
