We report the thermodynamic measurement of the enthalpy released during the aging of supported films of a molecular glass former, toluene, at temperatures well below the glass transition temperature. By using microfabricated devices with very short equilibration times (below 1 s), we evidence a remarkable variation of the relaxation rate on decreasing film thickness from 100 nm down to a 7 nm thick film. Our results demonstrate that surface atoms are more efficient than bulk atoms in attaining low energy configurations within the potential energy landscape.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Sepúlveda et al. (2011) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: