Analysis of Molecular Surface/Interfacial Layer by Sum-Frequency Generation (SFG) Spectroscopy

Abstract

This chapter reviews recent progress in polymer surfaces and interface studies using sum-frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy. SFG is a surface-specific vibrational spectroscopic technique that has spread on a worldwide scale since it was first reported in 1987. The SFG principles, instruments, techniques, and experiments are presented in detail, and recent results on interfacial physics and chemistry at jointed interfaces are described. It focuses on SFG studies of the surfaces and buried interfaces of polymeric materials, such as modification of polymer surfaces, polymer-water, polymer-metal, and polymer–polymer interfaces. This review demonstrates that SFG is a powerful technique for nondestructive, in situ measurement of molecular level understanding at complex polymer surfaces and interfaces.