Optical and wettability properties of polymers with varying surface energies

In this study, flat and transparent thin films of polymers with varying surface free energies were prepared from their solutions to investigate their wettabilities and optical properties. Surface free energies of polymers were calculated by using van Oss, Good, and Chaudhury method. The increase in surface free energy values of polymers caused a decrease in water CA's of polymers due to high adhesion interactions between the solid surface and the water droplet. In addition, lower CAH values were calculated for each polymer film due to the flat morphologies of surfaces. Herein, the absorption of the films occurred in the wavelengths below ∼300 nm, beyond which these films demonstrated excellent transparency, characteristic for wide direct band gap materials for the optical application.