AFM images of lOOt sample

Figure 5.4-4 AFM image of lOOt sample after 10 hours of toluene wash.

Figure 5.4-25 Height analysis of AFM image for lOOt sample.

As the initial reaction time was increased, many trends were observed in the polymer brush samples. The first relationship developed was an increase in the contact angle of water, the hydrophobic nature, of the surface as the reaction time increased. Also, an increase in the overall film thickness, as determined by ellipsometry, and an increase in the height, as demonstrated from AFM, measurements provide strong evidence that extending reaction time increases the grafting density of the polymer brush. Also, the AFM images of the series of the lOt, 20t, 40t, and lOOt samples showed an increase in the horizontal feature size of the polymer brushes. 

The polymer brush samples washed in chloroform were compared to those washed in toluene. The contact angle of water for the 100c sample was less than that of the loot sample indicating a more polar surface. The AFM images of the toluene washed... 

The last AFM images presented are of the polymer brush samples after washing in chloroform. These sample images were compared to those presented above of the lOOt and lOOht samples. As shown in Figures 5.4-17 through 5.4-20, chloroform did alter the chain conformations of both the unhydrolyzed and the hydrolyzed samples. 

---