Recent Advancements in Experimental Methods for Investigating Irreversible Chain Adsorption at Polymer-Solid Interfaces

Polymer-solid interfaces are crucial in determining the properties and performance of a diverse array of materials, ranging from polymer-based thin film devices to polymer nanocomposites. Recent studies have highlighted the significant impacts of irreversible chain adsorption at these interfaces on structure and physicochemical properties of polymeric materials. However, characterizing the nature of irreversible adsorption from polymer melts at polymer-solid interfaces presents considerable experimental challenges, primarily due to the nanometer thickness of the adsorbed layers and their burial within complex material matrices. To address these challenges, researchers have utilized Guiselin’s approach (i.e., a top-down solvent leaching method) in conjunction with various surface-sensitive characterization techniques. In this review, we summarize recent experimental methods that elucidate irreversible adsorption at polymer-solid interfaces and its consequential impact on structure and physicochemical properties of polymeric materials. We highlight the use of advanced microscopic, scattering, and spectroscopic techniques, which have enabled researchers to reveal the structure, dynamics, adsorption kinetics, and formation mechanisms of adsorbed layers across relevant length and time scales. These experimental advancements have significantly enhanced our understanding of irreversible adsorption from melts at polymer-solid interfaces, paving the way for the rational design and functionalization of polymeric materials across a wide range of applications.