Hydrophobic films by atmospheric plasma curing of spun-on liquid precursors.

Hydrophobic coatings have been produced on glass and acrylic samples by using a low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma to polymerize liquid fluoroalkylsilane precursors. The fluoroalkylsilane precursor was dissolved in isooctane and spun onto the substrate at 550 rpm. The sample was then exposed to the reactive species generated from a nitrogen plasma.

Experimental observation and prediction of interfacial tension and viscoelastic emulsion model behavior in novel phosphate glass-polymer hybrids.

The interfacial tension of hybrids composed of a tin-based phosphate glass (Pglass) and thermoplastic polymers, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS), and polypropylene (PP) was investigated using pendant drop and droplet deformation methods. High surface tension values were determined for the pure Pglass and subsequently used to obtain interfacial tension values that were found to be greater than that of most polymer blends reported in the literature. Small amplitude oscillatory shear data were fitted to the Choi-Schowalter and Palierne emulsion models in order to estimate the interfacial tension and to validate the accuracy (or lack thereof) of using a polymer emulsion model on the special Pglass-polymer systems.