Suspended polymer nanofiber arrays of long range order fabricated by manual brush-on

Steven A. Harfenist, Timilihen Olaleye, Scott M. Berry, Robert S. Keynton, Robert W. Cohn

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

A single bead of liquid polymer (suspended in a volatile solvent) applied to the edge of a microscope cover slip when dragged over a textured surface will self-assembled into parallel oriented fibers of micron and even nanoscale dimensions. Fibers as small as 30 nm that are suspended in air between pillars have been produced this way. Previous results are extended by the report of long range order and uniformity of a brushed on fiber polymer network. The textured surface is an array of pillars that were produced by saw cuts into a glass substrate. The liquid polymer is 50,000 Mw (poly) vinyl acetate in acetone. The fibers form in the direction of the applicator motion. Strong wetting to the pillars is seen with a small amount of solidified polymer remaining between the pillars. Surface tension driven capillary thinning drove large amounts of polymer from the bridge area to the pillars. The AFM measurements of mineral oils and polymers in non-volatile solvents show that reproducible measurements are possible of capillary breakup. This is shown in the force-distance curves for mineral oil. Similar results in the 5 to 100 nN levels have been observed with comparable reproducibility for several polymers in non-volatile solvents. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the AIChE Annual Meeting and Fall Showcase (Cincinnati, OH 10/30/2005-11/4/2005).

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication05AIChE
Subtitle of host publication2005 AIChE Annual Meeting and Fall Showcase, Conference Proceedings
StatePublished - 2005
Event05AIChE: 2005 AIChE Annual Meeting and Fall Showcase - Cincinnati, OH, United States
Duration: Oct 30 2005Nov 4 2005

Publication series

NameAIChE Annual Meeting Conference Proceedings
Volume2005

Conference

Conference05AIChE: 2005 AIChE Annual Meeting and Fall Showcase
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityCincinnati, OH
Period10/30/0511/4/05

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Energy

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