Polymers, when subjected to mechanical loading, exhibit change in morphological and structural molecular organization [1]. Under uniaxial stress, there is reorganization in the molecular structures which results in changes in morphology. For example, a stretch occurs to the polymer chain in the longitudinal direction while a compression occurs in the transverse direction to the axis of stress. Other modifications exerted on specimens can include fractures and surface modifications [2]. As these modifications begin to occur, primarily at the molecular level, surface properties of a loaded specimen are a potential tool to analyze such structural modification, even in polymeric materials commonly thought of as non-conductive or insulating materials.
Polymers are widely used as biomaterials, in prosthetics, various implants, hydrogels in drug delivery and pharmaceuticals, scaffolds for tissue growth, etc. [3,4]. Although the polymers used in different applications are designed, synthesized, and manufactured using...
