Role of End-Group Functionality on the Surface Segregation Properties of HBPs in Blends with Polystyrene: Application of HBPs as Dewetting Inhibitors

Abstract

The surface properties of polyetherimide (PEI) hyperbranched polymers (HBPs) are tunable over a broad range of surface energies by proper functionalization of their end-groups. In turn, our data indicate that the surface segregation of PEI HBPs in blends with polystyrene (PS) is primarily determined by the differences in their surface energies. Therefore, HBPs with higher surface energies than that of PS segregate near the substrates, while HBPs with lower surface energies tend to concentrate near the air interface of thin films. The stability (wettability) of low molecular weight PS thin films on a silicon substrate was improved by the addition of high surface energy PEI HBPs.