Abstract
The slow dynamics associated with the structural relaxation of glass forming materials near the glass transition is very sensitive to the effects of small confining geometries. Based upon the experimental results of triplet state solvation dynamics, we explore the extent to which confinement effects can be rationalized solely in terms of interfacial dynamics which are modified relative to the bulk situation. The importance of the interfacial conditions is emphasized by observing the changes due to the surface chemistry, by comparing relaxation times at and further away from the surface, and by studying the effects of 'soft' versus 'hard' confining materials. While 'hard' confinement by porous solids is observed to result in slower dynamics and an increased glass transition temperature T g for propylene glycol, our 4.6 nm nanodroplets suspended in a more fluid environment display faster structural relaxation, equivalent to a reduction of T g as observed in free standing polymer films.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Materials Research Society Symposium - Proceedings |
Editors | J.T. Fourkas, P. Levitz, M. Urbakh, K.J. Wahl |
Pages | 175-186 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Volume | 790 |
State | Published - 2003 |
Event | Dynamics in Small Confining Systems - 2003 - Boston, MA, United States Duration: Dec 1 2003 → Dec 4 2003 |
Other
Other | Dynamics in Small Confining Systems - 2003 |
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Country/Territory | United States |
City | Boston, MA |
Period | 12/1/03 → 12/4/03 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials