Polymers at Interfaces and in Disperse Systems

Abstract

The objective of this article is to review current progress in our understanding of the following related topics: (i) the adsorption of polymer molecules from solution at various types of interface; (ii) the nature of the interactions between planar interfaces and between particles when interfacial polymer layers are present; (iii) the (thermodynamic and kinetic) stability of colloidal dispersions in the presence of interfacial polymer layers. These three topics follow from each other in that understanding in any one area depends critically on understanding the preceding areas. Furthermore, progress in area (i), i.e., polymer adsorption at interfaces, has developed from our growing understanding of polymer solutions, on the one hand, and of interfaces, per se, on the other. We therefore begin this review with a short summary of the current situation with regard to these two topics.