Interfacial functional groups, compositional distribution, crystalline structures, and local
molecular orientation of functional polymer materials has been directly visualized by nanoscale
infrared spectroscopy (nano-IR), in which an atomic force microscope (AFM) probe as infrared
absorption sensor was used. Nano-IR image visualized hidden binder and adhesion process of multilayer barrier films of polyethylene-terephthalate/ polyethylene (PET/PE), and enabled the
chemical identification of phase structure of multi-component blends of polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS) including soft polybutadiene domains as small as 40 nm.
