Development and characterization of thin polymer films relevant to fiber processing

Dilute solutions of cellulose, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon and polyester were spun cast onto gold and silica wafers to generate thin films of these polymers, which are commonly used in the manufacture of synthetic fibers. The thin films were used as substrates in the quartz crystal microbalance and nano-indentation techniques to monitor adsorption and friction behaviors after treatment with a polymer solution (as a mimic of a textile finish). The spin coating conditions were optimized in terms of the resulting film morphology, thickness and surface energy. Atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry, ellipsometry and contact angle were used to probe the physical and surface properties of the resulting films. Overall, we developed thin films that are helpful to inquire, at the molecular level, phenomena relevant to fiber and textile processing including swelling, degradation, and adsorption of polymers and surfactants.