Single molecules reorientation reveals the dynamics of polymer glasses surface

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2010 Mar 14;12(10):2308-12. doi: 10.1039/b917686a. Epub 2009 Dec 22.

Abstract

The polymer glass surface can be many orders of magnitude more mobile than the interior. We probe dynamics with reorientation of single dye molecules spin-coated onto polymer films. Rotation jumps in transition dipole orientation are observed for approximately 30% of all single molecules. It is found for the first time that there are mainly three typical jumping patterns of orientation: dithering jump, alternate jump and stepping jump patterns. The distribution of rotational correlation time are used to characterize the dynamics of polymer glass surfaces.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cyclobutanes / chemistry*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Glass / chemistry
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Molecular Structure
  • Phenols / chemistry*
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate / chemistry*
  • Rotaxanes / chemistry*
  • Surface Properties
  • Thermodynamics*

Substances

  • Cyclobutanes
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Phenols
  • Rotaxanes
  • squaraine
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate