Interactions between single latex particles and silica surfaces studied with AFM

The spreading of single styrene–acrylic latex particles on silicon oxide surfaces was studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Three latexes with different glass transition temperature (Tg) were used and the effects of temperature, time and preparation method were investigated. Particle sizes and shape were measured with AFM and the contact angles were calculated. The observed rate for the spreading of latex particles was low and it took several days before the particles reached steady state, even at temperatures well above their Tg. The experimental particle spreading results deviated with two orders of magnitude from predictions using the WLF equation for polymer diffusion. The deviation could be attributed to polymer-surface interactions that slowed down the particle spreading. The work of adhesion was calculated using two models. The results from using the regular Young–Dupré equation and a modified version of this equation that also included the mechanical properties (E-modulus and Poisson's ratio) of the latexes, were compared. For soft latex particles the results from the two models agreed well and were of the order of 75 J/m2, but for glassy latexes the Young–Dupré equation underestimated the work of adhesion.