Study on polymer surface properties by high-temperature AFM observation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) isolated chains deposited on a PMMA molecularly flat substrate

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K18993
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 35:Polymers, organic materials, and related fields
• Research Institution: Yamagata University
• Principal Investigator: Kumaki Jiro 山形大学, 大学院有機材料システム研究科, 教授 (00500290)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-07-09 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 高分子表面 / 分子運動 / ガラス転移点 / 原子間力顕微鏡

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It is well-known that the chain movements at polymer surface are significantly accelerated, however, the chain movements at the topmost surface have never been directly observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Then, in this study, we initially planned to evaluate chain movements using poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) isolated chains deposited on a PMMA molecularly flat substrate. However, as the result of the research progress, we finally found that the chain movements of the topmost surface can be evaluated by in-situ real-time AFM observation of polymer surfaces at high temperatures for the first time. We also succeeded to evaluate the chain movements at the polymer surfaces in water for the first time.

Free Research Field

高分子物性、高分子超薄膜、原子間力顕微鏡

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

高分子表面の特性を知ることは、超薄膜や医療材料等で益々重要になってきているが、従来、高分子最表面の分子運動を直接評価する方法は無かった。本研究の結果、高分子最表面分子の運動が、高分子表面を高温原子間力顕微鏡（AFM）で実時間観察することで直接評価できることが初めて明らかになった。また水中での高分子表面分子運動を同様に評価できることも示した。