Application of fluorescence technique for understanding film formation from polymer latexes and composites

Abstract

This chapter summarizes the application of fluorescence technique to understand all aspects of film formation using both pure polymer latexes and polymer nanocomposites. Transient fluorescence, steady state fluorescence, and photon transmission techniques were used in conjunction with scanning electron microscopy/atomic force microscopy to learn this process with different latex coatings. Polystyrene latexes and poly(methyl methacrylate) latexes labeled with fluorescence probes (such as pyrene, fluorescein, and naphthalene) were used as the model polymer matrixes. We also introduced theoretical models to describe film formation stage by stage including void closure, healing, and interdiffusion and produced the activation energies related to the process. Furthermore the contributing parameters to the film formation process are identified including annealing time-temperature, solvent vapor, film thickness, particle size, and different filler materials and ratios (clay, TiO2, carbon nanotube, etc.) in both pure latex and composite systems. © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.