Surface-enhanced Raman and surface plasmon resonance measurements of Case II diffusion events on the nanometer length scale

A study of spatially-localized phenomena associated with Case II transport is reported. Steady-state aspects of viscoelastic diffusion were investigated with the aid of SERS-active planar films implanted in μm-scale polymer films. The use of Au rather than Ag metal-island films is shown to eliminate spectral interference resulting from photolytic degradation reported in typical SERS studies of glassy polymers. A sample probe consisting of an Au metal film sandwiched between polymer thin films was shown to provide a spatial resolution of less than 30 nm in the direction of penetrant motion i.e. normal to the plane of the superstrate-polymer interface. This high resolution probe may be used to generate SERS spectra of the polymer/penetrant system during permeation experiments. Penetrant motion and polymer relaxation processes may be simultaneously monitored in situ by interpretation of vibrational mode evolution. Polymer relaxation and deformation in response to osmotic stress caused by the presence of permeant molecules appears to lag behind solvent arrival and continue long after the diffusion front has passed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemistry

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Drake, Phillip Asa

Contributors dc:contributor

• Bohn, Paul W.

• Chemistry, Analytical

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1995 Drake, Phillip Asa

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9543573
(UMI)AAI9543573

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/23222