Dispersion and polar contributions to surface tension of poly(methylene oxide) and Na-treated polytetrafluoroethylene

Average values for dispersion γ_s^d and polar γ_s^d contributions of the solid surface tension γ_s γ_s^d + γ_s^p for poly(methylene oxide) (PMO) and Na-treated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are determined by a new computational analysis of wettability data. PMO displays γ_s^d equals; 21.8 ± 0.9 and γ_s^p = 11.5 ± 1.5 dyn/cm while Na-treated PTFE displays γ_s^d = 36.1 ± 3.0 and γ_s^p = 14.5 ± 2.9 dyne/cm. These surfaces present the highest fractional surface polarity p_s = γ_s^p/γ_s = 0.29-0.35 yet encountered for organic polymers or oriented monolayers. These unusual surface tension properties are correlated with surface chemistry and adhesion phenomena.