Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Wettability”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Simultaneous tailoring of surface topography and chemical structure for controlled wettability.

Wettability was controlled in a rational manner by individually and simultaneously manipulating surface topography and surface chemical structure. The first stage of this research involved the adsorption of charged submicrometer polystyrene latex particles to oppositely charged poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film samples to form surfaces with different topographies/roughness; adsorption time, solution pH, solution ionic strength, latex particle size, and substrate charge density are external variables that were controlled. The introduction of discrete functional groups to smooth and rough surfaces through organic transformations was carried out in the second stage. Amine groups (-NH(2)) and alcohol groups (-OH) were introduced onto smooth PET surfaces by amidation with poly(allylamine) and adsorption with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH), respectively. On latex particle adsorbed surfaces, a thin layer of gold was evaporated first to prevent particle redistribution before chemical transformation. Reactions with functionalized thiols and adsorption with PVOH on patterned gold surfaces successfully enhanced surface hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity. Particle size and biomodal particle size distribution affect both hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity. A very hydrophobic surface exhibiting water contact angles of 150 degrees /126 degrees (theta(A)/theta(R)) prepared by adsorption of 1-octadecanethiol and a hydrophilic surface with water contact angles of 18 degrees /8 degrees (theta(A)/theta(R)) prepared by adsorption of PVOH were prepared on gold-coated surfaces containing both 0.35 and 0.1 microm latex particles. The combination of surface topography and surface-chemical functionality permits wettability control over a wide range.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2004

Effect of surface wettability on the adhesion of proteins.

Besides significantly broadening the scope of available data on adhesion of proteins on solid substrates, we demonstrate for the first time that all seven proteins (tested here) behave similarly with respect to adhesion exhibiting a step increase in adhesion as wettability of the solid substrate decreases. Also, quantitative measures of like-protein-protein and like-self-assembled-monolayer (SAM)-SAM adhesive energies are provided. New correlations, not previously reported, suggest that the helix and random content (as measures of secondary structure) normalized by the molecular weight of a protein are significant for predicting protein adhesion and are likely related to protein stability at interfaces. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to directly measure the normalized adhesion or pull-off forces between a set of seven globular proteins and a series of eight well-defined model surfaces (SAMs), between like-SAM-immobilized surfaces and between like-protein-immobilized surfaces in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4). Normalized force-distance curves between SAMs (alkanethiolates deposited on gold terminated with functional uncharged groups -CH3, -OPh, -CF3, -CN, -OCH3, -OH, -CONH2, and -EG3OH) covalently attached to an AFM cantilever tip modified with a sphere and covalently immobilized proteins (ribonuclease A, lysozyme, bovine serum albumin, immunoglobulin, gamma-globulins, pyruvate kinase, and fibrinogen) clearly illustrate the differences in adhesion between these surfaces and proteins. The adhesion of proteins with uncharged SAMs showed a general "step" dependence on the wettability of the surface as determined by the water contact angle under cyclooctane (thetaco). Thus, for SAMs with thetaco < approximately 66 degrees, (-OH, -CONH2, and -EG3OH), weak adhesion was observed (>-4 +/- 1 mN/m), while for approximately 66 < thetaco < approximately 104 degrees, (-CH3, -OPh, -CF3, -CN, -OCH3), strong adhesion was observed (< or =8 +/- 3 mN/m) that increases (more negative) with the molecular weight of the protein. Large proteins (170-340 kDa), in contrast to small proteins (14 kDa), exhibit characteristic stepwise decompression curves extending to large separation distances (hundreds of nanometers). With respect to like-SAM surfaces, there exists a very strong adhesive (attractive) interaction between the apolar SAM surfaces and weak interactive energy between the polar SAM surfaces. Because the polar surfaces can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules and the apolar surfaces cannot, these measurements provide a quantitative measure of the so-called mean hydrophobic interaction (approximately -206 +/- 8 mN/m) in phosphate-buffered saline at 296 +/- 1 K. Regarding protein-protein interactions, small globular proteins (lysozyme and ribonuclease A) have the least self-adhesion force, indicating robust conformation of the proteins on the surface. Intermediate to large proteins (BSA and pyruvate kinase-tetramer) show measurable adhesion and suggest unfolding (mechanical denaturation) during retraction of the protein-covered substrate from the protein-covered AFM tip. Fibrinogen shows the greatest adhesion of 20.4 +/- 2 mN/m. Unexpectedly, immunoglobulin G (IgG) and gamma-globulins exhibited very little adhesion for intermediate size proteins. However, using a new composite index, n (the product of the percent helix plus random content times relative molecular weight as a fraction of the largest protein in the set, Fib), to correlate the normalized adhesion force, IgG and gamma-globulins do not behave abnormally as a result of their relatively low helix and random (or high sheet) content.

Adhesiveness↗
PubMed2006

Engineered wettability in tree capillaries.

The water-conducting network of capillaries in plants has evolved to cope with the frequent occurrence of cavitation, which leads to air-filled capillaries that are unable to function in water transport. However, the material from which the capillaries are constructed is not perfectly wetted by water, contrary to what is often assumed and to what one might expect in an optimal design. I demonstrate that nature is able to overcome this deficiency by engineering the roughness of the capillary walls to achieve near complete wetting, a strategy analogous to that used in the natural engineering of the wettability of plant leaves and insect wings. The results provide an appealing answer to the long-standing debate on the function of wall sculpturing in plant capillaries, and may provide biomimetic clues for the engineering of wettability in technological applications such as microfluidics.

Biomimetics↗
PubMed2006

Wettability of paracetamol polymorphic forms I and II.

It is well known that different forms of solid-state polymorphic materials exhibit diverse physicochemical properties. The variations in the wetting and surface energetics of a pair of organic polymorphic solids are reported in detail here for the first time. The growth of macroscopic single crystals (facet area >1 cm(2)) of paracetamol has enabled for the first time the direct measurement of advancing contact angles, theta(A) for water and diiodomethane on a range of specific facets for two polymorphs; forms I and II. Not only was the wetting behavior found to be anisotropic, as has been recently reported, but the differing polymorphic forms exhibited significant variations in their wetting behavior for the same Miller indexed faces. The (001), (010), and (110) faces were studied, and the observed wettability data differed confirming the independence of facet wettability and Miller indices for both polymorphs. theta(A) was found to be very sensitive to the local surface chemistry for each facet examined, which in turn is a direct consequence of the molecular packing and structure within the crystal lattice. On the basis of the theta(A) value of water, the hydrophilicity rankings for the facet surfaces of form II examined is: (010) approximately (110) > (001). This experimental study highlights complex surface chemistry of polymorphic solids in which anisotropic surface energies were observed for both forms of paracetamol, strongly suggesting that such anisotropic wetting behavior is the norm for organic crystalline solids. Furthermore, the same Miller indexed facets for forms I and II exhibited very different surface chemical behavior, such that it was not possible to infer understanding about one form based upon knowledge of another form.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed2001

The ex vivo wettability of soft contact lenses.

PURPOSE: To investigate the ex vivo wettability of Etafilcon A contact lenses over an eight hour period of wear and observe the influence of surfactant pre-treatment. METHODS: Etafilcon A hydrogel lenses, comprising poly[2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid] and 58% water, were soaked for 12 hours in either 0.9% saline (control) or a 1% aqueous solution of poloxamine 1107 (treated). The advancing and receding contact angles were subsequently determined ex vivo after various periods of wear in six adapted contact lens wearers using a single-blind, randomised protocol. Contact angles were measured with a dynamic contact angle tensiometer, using the Wilhelmy plate technique. Patient comfort scores were recorded and the static surface tensions of the probe fluids assessed. RESULTS: Control lenses exhibited no change in wetting angles over time, indicating a lack of surface modification by components within the tear film. Treated lenses exhibited a significantly reduced advancing angle (p < 0.001) and hysteresis angle (p < 0.001) when compared with control lenses. In addition, treated lenses were consistently rated as being more comfortable than control lenses (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown clearly that new Etafilcon A lenses do not exhibit significant changes in wettability during the initial four hour wearing period. Pre-treatment of such lenses with a polymeric surfactant results in wetting of the lenses due to the adsorption of surfactant. The surfactant is retained by the lens for at least eight hours of wear, resulting in significant improvements in subjective comfort, especially over the first 30 minutes of wear.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Use of self-assembled monolayers of different wettabilities to study surface selection and primary adhesion processes of green algal (Enteromorpha) zoospores.

We investigated surface selection and adhesion of motile zoospores of a green, macrofouling alga (Enteromorpha) to self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) having a range of wettabilities. The SAMs were formed from alkyl thiols terminated with methyl (CH(3)) or hydroxyl (OH) groups or mixtures of CH(3)- and OH-terminated alkyl thiols and were characterized by measuring the advancing contact angles and by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. There was a positive correlation between the number of spores that attached to the SAMs and increasing contact angle (hydrophobicity). Moreover, the sizes of the spore groups (adjacent spores touching) were larger on the hydrophobic SAMs. Video microscopy of a patterned arrangement of SAMs showed that more zoospores were engaged in swimming and "searching" above the hydrophobic sectors than above the hydrophilic sectors, suggesting that the cells were able to "sense" that the hydrophobic surfaces were more favorable for settlement. The results are discussed in relation to the attachment of microorganisms to substrata having different wettabilities.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Measurements of the wettability of protein-covered hydroxyapatite surfaces.

We developed a new method (dropping time method, DTM) to investigate the wettability of a surface of a protein layer adsorbed on glass plates in aqueous solution. However, the previous setup of DTM can only be utilized for optically transparent materials. In this study, we have extended the method to optically nontransparent materials such as hydroxyapatite plates. DTM is based on measuring the dropping time of a liquid film along a protein-covered surface when this surface is instantaneously vertically removed from the protein solution. The intensity of the reflected light beam depends on the presence of a liquid film on the surface. This allows to estimate the movement of the liquid film along the sorbent surface. Thus, the extended DTM can be used for determining the wettability of optically nontransparent solid plates. The adsorption behavior of four proteins (albumin, lysozyme, beta-lactoglobulin, ovalbumin) on a hydrophobic hydroxyapatite plate in water was studied by this method. When adsorbed from a protein solution of high concentration, the surfaces of adsorbed proteins, except ovalbumin, were fairly hydrophilic; this hydrophilicity was already attained at the initial stage of the adsorption process. The surface of ovalbumin on hydroxyapatite was more hydrophobic than those of the other proteins, and the hydrophilicity increased with the protein adsorption process. At low protein concentration, the hydrophilicity increased in the course of the adsorption process. The change in hydrophilicity with time depends on the kind of protein. Hen's egg lysozyme is more hydrophilic and the time to reach saturation is shorter than for the other proteins. The processes of increasing hydrophilicity of the surface of human serum albumin, beta-lactoglobulin and ovalbumin are similar. However, for beta-lactoglobulin hydrophobicity at adsorption saturation is stronger than for human serum albumin and ovalbumin. Thus, using DTM it is shown that the hydrophilicity of the surface of adsorbed protein on hydroxyapatite depends strongly on the kind of protein.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1999

Acid-etching and hydration influence on dentin roughness and wettability.

Adhesion of restorative and protective materials to dentin is an important requirement for operative and preventive dentistry. Wettability and roughness are dentin substrate conditions that are critical to establishing good adhesion. This study examined superficial and deep dentin for variations in water contact angle measurements and roughness for polished, etched, dehydrated, and rehydrated states. Superficial and deep dentin disks from 6 non-carious third molars were prepared for AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) observation, roughness measurement, and contact angle measurements following specific treatments: hydrated and polished, etched (10% H3PO4), dehydrated (desiccator for 24 hrs); and rehydrated (in water for 24 hrs). Contact angles were measured by means of the ADSA (Axisymmetric Drop Shape Analysis) technique with filtered and purified water of surface tension 72.79 ergs/cm2. The AFM was used to quantify the intertubular roughness. Mean and SD of roughness and contact angle were calculated for each dentin state, and two-way Repeated Measures ANOVA with Tukey's HSD multiple comparisons were performed at p < 0.05. Wetting and roughness both increased after etching, with roughness tending to increase further while wettability dramatically decreased after desiccation. After rehydration, water contact angle values were equivalent to those of the etched condition. Although intertubular roughness did not depend on depth, lower water contact angles were found for deep dentin. Depth and dehydration resulted in altered dentin substrates with exposed hydrophobic moieties that could interfere with bonding to hydrophilic primer coats.

Acid Etching, Dental↗
PubMed2004

Effect of the hydration status of the smear layer on the wettability and bond strength of a self-etching primer to dentin.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the microtensile bond strength (MTBS) of a resin-based composite to smear layer-covered dentin using a self-etching primer, Clearfil SE Bond (CSEB), under two different hydration states. Surface roughness and wettability (contact angle measurements) of water and the CSEB primer were also evaluated on this substrate. METHODS: Contact angle (CA) measurements were performed on four caries-free extracted human third molars. The specimens were sectioned parallel to the occlusal surface to expose the moderately deep dentin and ground flat (180-grit SiC) under water to provide uniform flat surfaces. In two samples, the smear layer was completely air-dried; in the other two specimens, the smear layer was briefly air-dried. Contact angle measurements were performed to assess wettability of water and CSEB primer using the Axisymmetric Drop Shape Analysis technique. Surface roughness (SR) was determined with a contact profilometer. In another four molars, CSEB was applied to the smear layer-covered dentin with both hydration states. Resin build-ups were performed incrementally with Tetric Ceram. After storage for 24 hours in water at 37 degrees C, the teeth were sectioned to obtain bonded beams with an average cross-sectional area of 1.0 mm2. Each beam was tested in tension in an Instron machine at 0.5 mm/minute. Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Student t-tests were performed at a 95% significance level. RESULTS: Observed water contact angles were lower on the hydrated smear layer but no differences were found between contact angles on completely and briefly air-dried smear layer when the primer was used for CA measurements. SR was similar for both substrates and MTBS was greater when the adhesive was applied on the completely air-dried smear layer.

Acid Etching, Dental↗
PubMed1995

Surface wettability and hydrophilicity of soft contact lens materials, before and after wear.

Surface wettability and hydrophilicity of pHEMA soft contact lenses were investigated utilising adherent liquid/laser method (ALLM) and adherent liquid/balance method (ALBM). The measurements were carried out before and after periods of 15 min to 2 h contact lens wear. Following the lens removal, the wetting angle of the contact lens of the left eyes and hydrophilicity (maximum force) of the contact lens of the right eyes of the five subjects were immediately measured, respectively, without cleaning (one value for pre-lens wear and eight values for post-lens wear). The wettability of soft contact lenses significantly increased after 15 min of wearing and stabilised at a maximum level after 30 min in vivo. Contact lens hydrophilicity was found to decrease as the lens was worn. The reduction continued for up to 1.5 h of wearing, for male cases, and for the female cases, the reduction continued until the end of the experiment.

Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic↗
PubMed1995

A novel approach to measuring the wettability of rigid contact lenses. Mass measurement of the adherent liquid on the rigid lens surface (1).

A novel approach and the equilibrium sessile drop (laser assisted) method were used to determine the wettability of hydrated and unhydrated PMMA, Polycon II, Boston IV, Equalens and Boston RXD rigid contact lens materials. In the new method the ability of the contact lens surface to attract the liquid is evaluated by measuring the adhered mass of liquid on the front lens surface. The mass has a direct relationship to contact lens wettability, so the greater the lens surface hydrophilicity the more liquid adheres to the contact lens surface. In the hydrated state, Equalens and Boston IV showed the greatest hydrophilicity of all five materials, although there was no significant difference between them (P > 0.9). Boston RXD had a lower ability to attract liquid and there was a significant difference between it and the next higher material which was Boston IV (P < 0.005) and also the next lowest Polycon II (P < 0.00001). PMMA had the lowest capability to adhere liquid and there was a significant difference between PMMA and Polycon II (P < 0.00001). The new method is simple and quick to use and gives greater discrimination and repeatability than other current methods.

Adhesiveness↗
PubMed2000

Human monocyte adhesion and activation on crystalline polymers with different morphology and wettability in vitro.

This study evaluated the effects of crystalline polyamide (Nylon-66), poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (PEVA), and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) polymers with nonporous and porous morphologies on the ability of monocytes to adhere and subsequently activate to produce IL-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. The results indicated monocyte adhesion and activation on a material might differ to a great extent, depending on the surface morphology and wettability. As the polymer wettability increases, the ability of monocytes to adhere increases but the ability to produce cytokines decreases. Similarly, these polymers, when prepared with porous surfaces, enhance monocyte adhesion but suppress monocyte release of cytokines. Therefore, the hydrophobic PVDF with a nonporous surface stimulates the most activity in adherent monocytes but shows the greatest inhibition of monocyte adhesion when compared with all of the other membranes. In contrast, the hydrophilic Nylon-66, which has a porous surface, is a relatively better substrate for this work. Therefore, monocyte behavior on a biomaterial may be influenced by a specific surface property. Based on this result, we propose that monocyte adhesion is regulated by a different mechanism than monocyte activation. Consequently, the generation of cytokines by monocytes is not proportional to the number of cells adherent to the surface.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The influence of surface morphology and wettability on the inflammatory response against poly(L-lactic acid): a semi-quantitative study with monoclonal antibodies.

In this study, the influence of surface morphology and wettability of both degradable and nondegradable polymer films on the inflammatory response after subcutaneous implantation in the rat was investigated. Degradable non-porous, porous, and "combi" (porous with a nonporous layer on one side) poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) films and nondegradable polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and (porous) expanded PTFE (e-PTFE) were used. Contact angles measurements indicate that PLLA is more hydrophillic than PTFE. Assessment of the inflammatory response was performed after various periods of implantation (up till 180 days), with both conventional light microscopy and immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The inflammatory response observed initially can largely be considered as part of the wound healing reaction, and up till day 40 the inflammatory response against PLLA was minimally more intense than against PTFE (porous as well as nonporous). From day 40 on, the PLLA films provoke a more intense inflammatory response as compared to the PTFE films. Both porous PLLA and the porous side of the "combi" PLLA film provoke a more intense inflammatory response than nonporous PLLA and the nonporous side of the "combi" PLLA film, respectively. In general, PTFE and e-PTFE films provoke an inflammatory response which is minimally more intense than the one provoked by the sham operation. Almost no ingrowth of tissue was observed in the porous e-PTFE films. In contrast, there was abundant tissue ingrowth in and an inflammatory response against porous PLLA. It can be concluded that biodegradable PLLA films provoke a more intense inflammatory response than nondegradable PTFE films. Also, porosity enhances the inflammatory response. However, porosity enhances the inflammatory response only when the wettability of a biomaterial permits cellular ingrowth.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Water Wettability and Zeta-Potential of Polystyrene Surface Modified by Ne or Na Implantation

A study has been made of the modification of the wettability and the surface potential of polystyrene by ion bombardment and implantation. Substrates used were polystyrene (PS) dishes. Ne bombardment and Naion implantation were performed at energies of 50 and 150 keV with fluences between 1 x 10(14) to 1 x 10(17) ions/cm2. The surface potential was examined by measurements of zeta-potential and the wettability was examined by the contact angle of water. The contact angle of water and the zeta-potential are found to change, depending on ion species and fluences. Two kinds of relationships between the contact angle of water and the zeta-potential are found, classified by region A and region B. From XPS results, region A means that PS surfaces modified by radiation effects of Ne-bombardment or Na-implantation have new functional groups and amorphous carbon. In region B, Na implanted PS surfaces with a high fluence show not only new functional groups and amorphous carbon but also Na atoms with chemical bonding states. Copyright 1998 Academic Press. Copyright 1998Academic Press

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Colloidal Protein Solutions as a New Standard Sensor for Adhesive Wettability Measurements.

Wetting experiments are carried out for the investigation of the interfacial interactions that take place when various solid materials are in contact with protein colloidal solutions. These materials are chosen because they are widely used in the field of orthopedic surgery. Contact angles (sessile drop) and surface tension (du Nouy's ring method) are measured in standardized conditions which take into account the various parameters disturbing wetting phenomena. An original cumulative deposits method (CDM) described here permits observation of the evolution of the wettability and allows estimation of the protein adhesion rate. Two families of materials emerge according to their behavior when they are in contact with the protein solution. One set (a chromium cobalt alloy and two polyethylenes) presents no detectable adhesion. The other set (stainless steel, zirconia, alumina, virgin and nitrogen implanted titanium alloy) shows a cumulative adhesion of proteins. We propose to adopt a BSA buffered solution as a referential sensor to characterize solid surfaces. From the CDM, the practical parameter P*, called the adhesive wettability power, can be used in order to analyze and classify biomaterials. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Geometrical Description of Contact Line Fluctuations in Heterogeneous Systems with Controlled Wettability.

The understanding of contact line fluctuations in heterogeneous systems of controlled wettability is relevant to many industrial processes. Despite its importance, it is poorly understood. Here, we present results on an experimental study of fluid displacement on modified Hele-Shaw cells with surface defects as heterogeneities. The system wettability is controlled by defect surface coverage. Three different surface coverage regimes were studied. For each one, the morphology and deformation energy of the displacement front is determined. The width front is described in terms of two exponents, the roughness exponent (alpha) and the one that describes its growth (beta). In all cases, it is found that the width increases logarithmically in time up to a characteristic value, where a crossover to a saturation behavior is observed. The crossover time is a function of the surface coverage. For low coverage 0.51</=beta</=0.59 and 0.65</=alpha</=0.67. For medium and high coverage the values obtained for the exponents are similar to those of directed percolation. The deformation energy associated with the displacement front morphology makes it possible to identify the individual pinning role of the surface defects. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

XPS and wettability characterization of modified poly(lactic acid) and poly(lactic/glycolic acid) films.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(lactic/glycolic acid) copolymers (PLGA) are biodegradable drug carriers of great importance, although successful pharmaceutical application requires adjustment of the surface properties of the polymeric drug delivery system to be compatible with the biological environment. For that reason, reduction of the original hydrophobicity of the PLA or PLGA surfaces was performed by applying a hydrophilic polymer poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with the aim to improve biocompatibility of the original polymer. PEO-containing surfaces were prepared by incorporation of block copolymeric surfactants, poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (Pluronic), into the hydrophobic surface. Films of polymer blends from PLA or PLGA (with lactic/glycolic acid ratios of 75/25 and 50/50) and from Pluronics (PE6800, PE6400, and PE6100) were obtained by the solvent casting method, applying the Pluronics at different concentrations between 1 and 9.1% w/w. Wettability was measured to monitor the change in surface hydrophobicity, while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was applied to determine the composition and chemical structure of the polymer surface and its change with surface modification. Substantial reduction of surface hydrophobicity was achieved on both the PLA homopolymer and the PLGA copolymers by applying the Pluronics at various concentrations. In accordance with the wettability changes the accumulation of Pluronics in the surface layer was greatly affected by the initial hydrophobicity of the polymer, namely, by the lactide content of the copolymer. The extent of surface modification was also found to be dependent on the type of blended Pluronics. Surface activity of the modifying Pluronic component was interpreted by using the solubility parameters.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Interfacial adhesion and microfailure modes of electrodeposited carbon fiber/epoxy-PEI composites by microdroplet and surface wettability tests.

Interfacial properties and microfailure modes of electrodeposition (ED)-treated carbon fiber-reinforced polyetherimide (PEI) toughened epoxy composite were investigated using microdroplet test and the measurement of surface wettability. ED was performed to improve the interfacial shear strength (IFSS). As PEI content increased, IFSS increased due to enhanced toughness and plastic deformation of PEI. In the untreated case, IFSS increased with adding PEI content, and the IFSS of the pure PEI matrix showed the highest. On the other hand, for the ED-treated case IFSS increased with PEI content with rather low improvement rate. In the untreated case, neat epoxy resin appeared brittle microfailure mode, whereas the pure PEI matrix exhibited a more likely ductile microfailure mode. In the ED-treated case, neat epoxy exhibited a more ductile fracture than that of the untreated case. Critical surface tension and polar surface free energy of ED-treated carbon fiber was higher than those of the untreated fiber. The work of adhesion between fiber and matrix was not directly proportional to IFSS for both the untreated and ED-treated cases. The matrix toughness might contribute to IFSS more likely than the surface wettability. Interfacial properties of the epoxy-PEI composite can be affected efficiently by both the control of matrix toughness and ED treatment.

Journal Article↗