A book on "Polymer Surface Modification and Characterization"

All of us from time to time have a film or substrate which is not performing properly, and the need arises to analyze the surface to see what is different. In this situation, the question is, "What is the best way to determine the surface characteristics which are controlling the problem?" The book Polymer Surface Modification and Characterization written by Chi-Ming Chan was published by Hanser in 1994 and is an excellent source of information on polymer-surface chemistry and will help you in answering this question. 

Chapter 1 begins with an overview description of surface analysis and handling techniques which are available and should be helpful in determining how to proceed in determining what is on your substrate surface. The chapter finishes up with a description of the many ways to actively modify a substrate surface. From this background the next few chapters cover in great detail the surface measuring techniques. Chapter 2 is on Contact Angle Measurement followed by Chapter 3 on X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy or XPS. Both of which are techniques I have discussed using in the various treatment posts. This is followed by Chapter 4 on Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry or SIMS. These are techniques which are available from commercial laboratories and which will be suggested for use if you are in need of determining what your substrates surface is or how it may have changed. Becoming better acquainted with them will only help in understanding what the lab is measuring for you.

The last three chapters are about specific polymer and surface modification methods which are quite common. Chapter 5 is on Surface Grafting, based on the use of, light, ionizing radiation and pretreated surfaces. This is followed by Chapter 6 on Plasma Modification which is more and more available today as a surface modification method in metallizing chambers and on films lines at atmospheric plasma treaters. Then the book winds up with Chapter 7 Corona and Flame Treatment.

I found the book to be well written and well documented with figures and literature references. I have been using it myself in my work and as an aid in explaining and better understanding my own findings in surface chemistry studies of substrate surfaces.  

Polymer Surface Modification and Characterization, Chi-Ming Chan, Hanser/Gardner Publications, Cincinnati, Ohio, (1994) ISBN 3-446-15870-7 New York,