Did you try IR or Raman miscroscopy?

Mr Banghegyi,

Thank you for your interest. Yes, I used FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. The spectra that I obtained indicated the presence of polyacrylic acid on polyurethane (e.g. there was a characteristic signal due to -COOH groups.) Also, I proved the presence of -COOH colorimetrically. What I'm looking for is a method that would give me high-quality pictures of such material's surface in order to check its roughness comparing to pure polyurethane etc.

Hi Paulina,

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is pretty good to check difference in topology and roughness, maybe it could help.

Hi Vimbai

Thank you for your advice. I was uncertain about AFM but I think I will try this method.

Anyway, could anyone please tell me if you have any experience with SEM pictures of polymeric surfaces?

I will also suggest TEM If available. However you might need to stain the samples before taking any TEM pictures.

AFM is the best way

Try TEM, and you will see the different : PU-gray color, acrylic-black color