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Effect of externally deposited nanoscale heterogeneities in thin polymer films on their adhesion behavior

Adhesion between two surfaces depend on the chemical and the mechanical properties of both the materials. However, heterogeneities (surface or bulk) affect the adhesion between the two surfaces tremendously. In this work, we study the role of externally deposited nanoscale heterogeneities on their adhesion behavior. Silica nanoparticles in the bulk polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer matrix act as external heterogeneities, which subsequently affect their adhesion. The nanoscale heterogeneities change the polymer environment locally, which subsequently modify its mechanical properties, e.g. elastic modulus, as a result, it affects its adhesion behavior. We observe that the adhesion behavior vary in nonlinear manner with increasing nanoparticle concentration. Therefore, probing these heterogeneities may allow us to understand the emergence of processing-induced deviations and the role of external defects in the macroscopic properties of a polymer.