Resonance Energy Transfer in Polymer Interfaces

Abstract

The properties of polymer materials are often determined by their interfaces. Polymer interfaces are usually much broader than inorganic interfaces, with values from 1 to 10 nm. This range matches the typical length scale of F�rster non-radiative resonance energy transfer (FRET). While the use of FRET in polymers was pioneered by Morawetz in the 1980s, the technique has only recently been extended to obtain quantitative detailed information on polymer interfaces and other nanostructured materials. A number of systems with nanodomains and heterogeneous dye concentration profiles, ranging from block copolymer films and micelles, to polymer nanoparticles, latex film formation and polymer blends, have been successfully characterized by FRET.