I have made a ternary copolymer, with the third monomer being hydrophobic in nature. So can I find out how much of hydrophobicity has been introduced to the copolymer?
Measure the Contact angle of Copolymer. contact angle greater than 90 degree is called hydrophobic. More the value of contact angle, more the hydrophobicity. contact angle greater than 150 degree means material has superhydrophobic character.
You can shape homo, double copolymer and terpolymer as sheets, preferably by compression moulding; then soak it at some temperature between RT and Tm (Previous DSC is needed). 1 to 7 days is recommended in order to have a reliable result. Differences between final and initial weight is telling. Please remember that copolymerization is able to modify the cristallinity and hence water absortion can increase/decrease, wich is not hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity per se. Again, DSC is required.
Measure the Contact angle of Copolymer. contact angle greater than 90 degree is called hydrophobic. More the value of contact angle, more the hydrophobicity. contact angle greater than 150 degree means material has superhydrophobic character.
Contact angle is a good way yes, you should use different liquids (water, diiodomethane, ethyleneglycol...) to measure contact angles of the drops they form on your material. Once you have the values there are different models which you can use to determine the polar and non polar part of your sample. You can find some basic information here for example: http://www.attension.com/$2/attensionan5-surfacfreeenergy-250810.pdf
Good luck with your work.
The world's expert on determining hydrophobicity of material surfaces (by contact angles and other methods) is an old colleague of mine, Prof. Robert Baier at Univ. of Buffalo. [email protected]
I suggest you email him and ask him for pdf copies of is papers that he thinks would be relevant to your specific needs.
Thanks Daniels Sir. So should i mail Prof. Robert Baier on your behalf regarding those papers?
R Rajan: Sure, feel free to mention my name to Bob (Prof Robert Baier). I think he will be happy to provide you with relevant references to his work, and where possible pdf copies of same.
Thank you sir, i have written to Prof Robert Baier and have mentioned your name also. Thank you for your help sir..
If you need quantitatively, use different liquid for contact angles, check my publications on protein attachment with details to calculate surface energy.
Thanks Mr.Yin. Can you please send a pdf copy of your publication so that i can have a look at them?
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