Characterization of a poly (2-oxazoline) library by high-throughput, automated contact-angle measurements and surface-energy calculations

The feasibility of automated, high-throughput contact-angle measurements is demonstrated using a modified commercial contact-angle measuring apparatus. Droplets are automatically dispensed, analyzed and aspirated. The system automatically measures more than 100 contact angles per hour using two test liquids, and calculates surface energies using the equation of state method. A library of poly(2-oxazoline) homo- and block copolymers was investigated. Polymers with a 2-nonyl-2-oxazoline block were found to have considerably lower surface energies.