Thin films of polymer blends: surface treatment and theoretical modeling

This work deals with the theoretical modeling, surface characterization, and excimer laser surface modification of thin films of polymer blends. The compounds considered in this study are bisphenol-A polycarbonate (PC) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) mixed in various mass ratios. The surface morphology of these blends and the influence of laser irradiation are investigated by means of atomic force microscopy. In parallel, the interactions occurring at the molecular level between the two polymers are modeled theoretically in order to provide information in the context of their miscibility. On one hand, we use the Hartree-Fock semiempirical Austin Model One method to obtain detailed geometrical structures for short oligomers. On the other hand, a molecular mechanics technique provides further information on PC and PMMA chains at the surface.