The diffusion of polymer molecules across an interface is an important topic in polymer physics. Measuring this diffusion process requires a labeling experiment so that the mixing of otherwise identical molecules can be followed. Here we examine the use of nonradiative energy transfer to follow the interdiffusion of polymer molecules during the annealing of latex films. Those films are prepared from a mixture of phenanthrene (Phe, the donor)- and anthracene(An, the acceptor)-labeled poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) latex particles. We examine in some detail the kinetics of direct energy transfer (DET) at an interface and the evolution of the DET kinetics as the components mix. Time resolved and steady state measurement approaches are compared, and the former is employed to examine molecular diffusion in a series PBMA latex films. Various diffusion models are considered. Diffusion coefficients are calculated by treating the data in terms of a Fickian spherical diffusion model. A film from one set of samples is similar in molecular weight to that studied by small angle neutron scattering (SANS) [K. Hahn, G. Ley, H. Schuller, and R. Oberthur, Colloid Polym. Sci. 264, 1029 (1986)]. Diffusion coefficients calculated from both sets of experiments using similar Fickian diffusion models are very similar in magnitude.

FTIR-ATR (Fourier Transform Infra-Red-Attenuated Total Reflection) has been used to analyze the surface composition of coalesced acrylic latex films. The behavior of two anionic surfactants has been characterized. It has been found that surfactant distribution depends on the nature of the surfactant. A comparison between the normalized absorbance in transmission and in reflection has shown an enrichment of surfactants at the surfaces of films with a coalescence time of 3 days. The surfactant concentration at the film-air interface is higher than at the film substrate interface. A concentration gradient exists through the film thickness. In addition, the incompatible surfactant migrates towards the interface as coalescence proceeds.

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