Adsorbed film /layer collapsed

Recently, Vaia et al. [8] reported a new process for direct polymer intercalation based on a predominantly enthalpic mechanism. By maximization of the number of polymer host interactions, the unfavorable loss of conformational entropy associated with intercalation of the polymer can be overcome leading to new intercalated nanostructures. They also reported that this type of intercalated polymer chain adopted a collapsed, two-dimensional conformation and did not reveal the characteristic bulk glass transition. This behavior was qualitatively different from that exhibited by the bulk polymer and was attributed to the confinement of the polymer chains between the host s layers. These types of materials have important implications not only in the synthesis and property areas, where ultrathin polymer films confined between adsorbed surfaces are involved. These include polymer filler interactions in polymer composites, polymer adhesives, lubricants, and interfacial agents between immiscible phases. 

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