Ellipsometry techniques and their application to polymer adsorption

Abstract

The application of ellipsometry to the study of the adsorption of polymers at interfaces is discussed. The correction of certain instrumental errors such as imperfect components and the use of solutions containing optically active materials are described. Results for the measurement of the extension of polystyrene, poly(ethylene o-phthalate), and certain proteins present in blood adsorbed on surfaces are given and interpreted in terms of changes in molecular conformation that occur during the adsorption process. The differences observed are ascribed to the interaction energies between the different polymers and surfaces.