Desorption Kinetics of Water from Poly(methyl methacrylate)

Understanding the surface behaviors of polymers has many applications in modern medicine and engineering. In this experiment, we are analyzing the thermal desorption of water from poly(methyl methacrylate), polyethylene, and other polymers. Crystalline polymer films are being prepared using a Langmuir-Blodgett method from a water subphase, as well as by a spin coating technique. The organized, crystalline Langmuir-Blodgett films are different in structure from the more disorganized spin-coated films. The thermal desorption spectra from both techniques will be compared to show the effects of the way polymer films are obtained. Arrhenius analysis on the desorption spectra yields desorption activation energies for these polymers. The purpose of this analysis is to provide insight into the dipole interactions between the water and polymer molecules.