mz500532q_si_001.pdf (253.8 kB)
Super Stretchy Polymer Multilayer Thin Film with High Gas Barrier
journal contribution
posted on 2014-10-21, 00:00 authored by Fangming Xiang, Sarah
M. Ward, Tara M. Givens, Jaime C. GrunlanUnlike
ionically bonded or clay-loaded gas barrier thin films,
which easily crack when moderately stretched, hydrogen-bonded poly(acrylic
acid) (PAA)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) multilayer thin films remain
crack-free. Even after 100% strain, these nanocoatings provide more
than a 5× reduction in oxygen transmission rate. This study shows
that the lowest modulus PAA/PEO thin film is obtained at pH 3, but
maintains a high barrier. A total of 20 PAA/PEO bilayers (367 nm thick)
on 1.58 mm rubber reduced the oxygen transmission rate by 1 order
of magnitude. Stretching from 25–100% caused plastic deformation
and reduced gas barrier, but the oxygen transmission rate remained
at least 5× lower than the uncoated rubber. The ability to prevent
cracking and preserve the gas barrier up to 100% strain provides a
tremendous opportunity for reducing weight and improving the barrier
of elastomeric materials.