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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDNature communications

Surface dynamics of glassy polymers with different molecular weight distributions.

  • Siming Wang1,2
  • Yongjian Zhu2
  • Yuchen Fu2
  • Xinyu Zhang2
  • Biao Zuo3,4
  • Liang Dai5
  • Yu Chai6
6 affiliations
  1. 1City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan), Dongguan, China.
  2. 2Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, China.
  3. 3School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Surface & Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China. [email protected].
  4. 4State Key Laboratory of Bio-based Fiber Materials, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China. [email protected].
  5. 5Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, China. [email protected].
  6. 6Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, China. [email protected].
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Abstract

The surface dynamics of polymers are of great interest in the field of polymer physics. It is generally believed that a 'liquid-like' layer exists at the glassy polymer surface, exhibiting enhanced segmental dynamics compared to the bulk. While much effort has been dedicated to elucidating the underlying mechanism of this simple yet fascinating phenomenon, most studies have focused on polymers with a single molecular weight or a narrow molecular weight distribution. In practical applications, polymeric products consist of a broad range of molecular weights. Consequently, composition of polymers may not be expected to be uniform in space, especially in the presence of an interface. In this study, we investigate the surface dynamics of glassy polymers with a bimodal molecular weight distribution using a droplet wetting-dewetting experiment. The results reveal that the surface dynamics of polymer blends are predominantly influenced by a layer of segregated short-chain polymers. However, upon the removal of this segregated layer, the liquid-like layer begins to dictate the surface behaviors.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{wang2026surface,
  title = {{Surface dynamics of glassy polymers with different molecular weight distributions.}},
  author = {Siming Wang and Yongjian Zhu and Yuchen Fu and Xinyu Zhang and Biao Zuo and Liang Dai and Yu Chai},
  journal = {Nature communications},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.1038/s41467-026-77601-1},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42897139},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Surface dynamics of glassy polymers with different molecular weight distributions.
AU  - Siming Wang
AU  - Yongjian Zhu
AU  - Yuchen Fu
AU  - Xinyu Zhang
AU  - Biao Zuo
AU  - Liang Dai
AU  - Yu Chai
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/11
JO  - Nature communications
DO  - 10.1038/s41467-026-77601-1
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42897139
AB  - The surface dynamics of polymers are of great interest in the field of polymer physics. It is generally believed that a 'liquid-like' layer exists at the glassy polymer surface, exhibiting enhanced segmental dynamics compared to the bulk. While much effort has been dedicated to elucidating the underlying mechanism of this simple yet fascinating phenomenon, most studies have focused on polymers with a single molecular weight or a narrow molecular weight distribution. In practical applications, polymeric products consist of a broad range of molecular weights. Consequently, composition of polymers may not be expected to be uniform in space, especially in the presence of an interface. In this study, we investigate the surface dynamics of glassy polymers with a bimodal molecular weight distribution using a droplet wetting-dewetting experiment. The results reveal that the surface dynamics of polymer blends are predominantly influenced by a layer of segregated short-chain polymers. However, upon the removal of this segregated layer, the liquid-like layer begins to dictate the surface behaviors.
SN  - 2041-1723
ER  -