Regensburg 2010 – scientific programme

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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 26: Micro and Nanofluidics I

CPP 26.9: Talk

Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 16:15–16:30, H39

The influence of thermal noise and slippage on the dynamics of spinodally dewetting polymer films — •Matthias Lessel, Oliver Bäumchen, and Karin Jacobs — Saarland University, Experimental physics, 66123 Saarbrücken

We investigate the dewetting dynamics of liquid films with thicknesses in the range of a few nanometers. Our experiments focus on spinodally dewetting films [1]. Thermal fluctuations (capillary waves) lead to a variation in film thickness and induce dewetting.

The morphology of the dewetting film can be captured by simulations. Catching the experimental system, the interaction potential, the surface tension and the film thickness are needed [2]. In case of thin polymer films, spinodally dewetting can be monitored in situ by AFM, which reveals the power spectrum of the film thickness variation over time. For the theoretical description, however, experimental viscosity and thermal noise have to be taken into account [3].

Our study now concentrates on the impact of the boundary condition at the liquid/solid interface on the power spectrum. Recently, Rauscher et al. [4] predicted a shift in the power spectrum in case of a slip-boundary condition. To test that prediction, dewetting experiments have been performed on surfaces which provoke strong slippage. First results show the influence of the boundary condition.

[1]:R. Seemann, R. Herminghaus, K. Jacobs, PRL, 86 (2001)

[2]:J. Becker et al., Nat. Mat., 2 (2003)

[3]:R. Fetzer et al., PRL, 99 (2007)

[4]:R. Rauscher et al., Langmuir, 24 (2008)