Studies on flow behaviors of polymer melts in nanochannels by wetting actions

The flow behavior of polymer melts in nanochannels by wetting actions was investigated by statistical analyses of generated polymer nanofibers' length in nanochannels of nanoporous alumina template using Scanning Electron Microscopy. The polyethylene nanofibers with high aspect ratio are formed after the infiltration of melts into the alumina nanochannels by wetting actions. The wetting of polyethylene melts in nanochannels is a rapid process due to the high surface free energy of inner walls and wetting driven force. Wetting and flow rate of polymer melts in nanochannels are mainly dependent on the wetting temperature, the size of nanochannels and surface properties of nanochannels adjusted by octadecyltrimethoxysilane self-assembled monolayers. High surface free energy and solid-liquid interaction between melts and surface lead to noticeable flow of polymer melts in nanochannels at the wetting stage.