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Polymer films of nanoscale thickness: linear chain and star-shaped macromolecular architectures

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Abstract

Applications of polymer thin films include functional coatings, flexible electronics, membranes and energy conversion. The physical properties of polymer films of nanoscale thicknesses typically differ from the bulk, due largely to entropic effects and to enthalpic interactions between the macromolecules and the external interfaces. Studies of the size-dependent physical properties of macromolecules have largely been devoted to linear chain polymers. In this Prospective, we review recent experiments and simulations that describe the structure and fascinating physical properties, from wetting to the glass transition, of star-shaped macromolecules. The properties of these molecules would render them more useful than their linear chain analogs, for some specific applications.

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Acknowledgments

This publication is based on the work supported in part by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Materials Research by award DMR-0906425 and award DMR-1305749. Certain commercial equipment, instruments, or materials are identified in this paper in order to specify the experimental procedure adequately. Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor is it intended to imply that the materials or equipment identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose.

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  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA

    Peter F. Green

  2. Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas, P.O. Box 1385, Heraklion, Crete, GR 71110, Greece

    Emmanouil Glynos

  3. Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899, USA

    Bradley Frieberg

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  1. Peter F. Green
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Green, P.F., Glynos, E. & Frieberg, B. Polymer films of nanoscale thickness: linear chain and star-shaped macromolecular architectures. MRS Communications 5, 423–434 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1557/mrc.2015.56

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